Expensive bloodwork

[DragonBeer]

So I got the bloodwork done for T at Callen-Lorde (silding scale/self-pay) and I just received the bill which is a whopping $337! WTH.
Good god, if worse comes to worse, I'll have to stop T because these blood tests are gonna suck me dry... 
In which case, those negative thoughts are gonna come back. :C

[Jill F]

That's not cheap, but I paid almost twice that last time around.  You'd think they could invent a thingy like a blood glucose meter, but for hormone levels.

[DragonBeer]

That's not cheap, but I paid almost twice that last time around.  You'd think they could invent a thingy like a blood glucose meter, but for hormone levels.

Yeah that's not cheap. @__@
I have to do this again at the end of May! *cries*

[Devlyn]

So I got the bloodwork done for T at Callen-Lorde (silding scale/self-pay) and I just received the bill which is a whopping $337! WTH.
Good god, if worse comes to worse, I'll have to stop T because these blood tests are gonna suck me dry... 
In which case, those negative thoughts are gonna come back. :C

That's exactly why my generation grew up with the mantra: "Find yourself a job with good insurance"

Hugs, Devlyn

[Dex]

My insurance doesn't cover mine, so my testosterone labs are typically 300ish and each office visit is 224. I just had my hysterectomy so I have more frequent visits right now until my hormone levels are figured out again. It should not be so frequent once you are "settled in" but, yeah, it definitely isn't cheap. Just something we have to budget for. Even with the expense, I could never not be on T (well, obviously Id have to be on something now that I have no ovaries, but even not taking that into account). Your mental health and well being is worth budgeting the money. It may not be easy but it's definitely worth it.

[Nygeel]

I also go to Callen-Lorde (was there yesterday, actually). I have no idea why it would cost that much, but I can give some questions that might be able to help.

Do you have health insurance? If you don't and are paying out of pocket, are you considered low income?
Does your insurance not accept the cost for the tests? Can you fight for approval?

I forgot if it was Callen-Lorde but they had me do tests for hormone levels or something which was a leap (usually pay $40 had to pay over $100). I told my provider about the costs and not being able to pay that much again. He told me that the test was something they could do without if I really couldn't afford it.

[King Malachite]

That is part of the reason why I'm choosing to get top surgery done first.  For me personally, it's cheaper in the long run just to start with that.  There's no way I could afford the "maintenance costs" of T on my salary.  I don't even make that price for two weeks of pay....

[DragonBeer]

I also go to Callen-Lorde (was there yesterday, actually). I have no idea why it would cost that much, but I can give some questions that might be able to help.

Do you have health insurance? If you don't and are paying out of pocket, are you considered low income?
Does your insurance not accept the cost for the tests? Can you fight for approval?

I forgot if it was Callen-Lorde but they had me do tests for hormone levels or something which was a leap (usually pay $40 had to pay over $100). I told my provider about the costs and not being able to pay that much again. He told me that the test was something they could do without if I really couldn't afford it.

Paying out of pocket, trying to get on Medicaid. I'm considered low income since I'm unemployed.
$100 is a totally different story, I'll pay that but $337?! Something doesn't seem right.

I remember the initial test was $25, the next was $35 and now it just skyrocketed to that.

Not sure who I should talk to about this...

[Nygeel]

Paying out of pocket, trying to get on Medicaid. I'm considered low income since I'm unemployed.
$100 is a totally different story, I'll pay that but $337?! Something doesn't seem right.

I remember the initial test was $25, the next was $35 and now it just skyrocketed to that.

Not sure who I should talk to about this...

When you started going to Callen-Lorde did you show them a pay stub? They also have people there to help you with medicaid enrollment. You might be able to get it covered retroactively. I would say call their main line and see if they have that you're low income. They might not have things set up properly in the computer or something. Again, I think medicaid will cover stuff retroactively for a month or two. I would also call and ask to speak to somebody that can help you get coverage. I know at least one person in NYC who had hormones and surgery covered by medicaid, so it's possible.

[DragonBeer]

When you started going to Callen-Lorde did you show them a pay stub? They also have people there to help you with medicaid enrollment. You might be able to get it covered retroactively. I would say call their main line and see if they have that you're low income. They might not have things set up properly in the computer or something. Again, I think medicaid will cover stuff retroactively for a month or two. I would also call and ask to speak to somebody that can help you get coverage. I know at least one person in NYC who had hormones and surgery covered by medicaid, so it's possible.

Yeah I did show them a pay stub, my doctor visits are $20 each. Does Medicaid cover lab test costs?
I'll talk to  them but I'll have to tell my mom to get me off my dad's insurance.

[Nygeel]

Yeah I did show them a pay stub, my doctor visits are $20 each. Does Medicaid cover lab test costs?
I'll talk to  them but I'll have to tell my mom to get me off my dad's insurance.

Medicaid does cover labs (or at least they have for me). If you have insurance you can't really go on medicaid. I would suggest checking out the information for the insurance you currently have and what coverage they have. They would likely some costs.

[DragonBeer]

Medicaid does cover labs (or at least they have for me). If you have insurance you can't really go on medicaid. I would suggest checking out the information for the insurance you currently have and what coverage they have. They would likely some costs.

Yeah I know I can't, I need to ask to get off it now. But thank you, will do that.

[LoriLorenz]

Ouch... Hope you can always find the funds you need to maintain.

[Sebryn]

It could be a coding issue or perhaps they sent the bloodwork to a different lab that your dads insurance doesn't cover....which is their mistake. That happened to me once and I fought them on it since they have it in my file that my insurance didn't cover that lab company. I didn't have to pay the bill thankfully. You might look into that angle, it could happen and is as simple as the tech accidently grabbing the wrong lab labels and sending the blood to the wrong lab company.

[2fish]

That's a lot. Without insurance I would pay $300, with insurance $25. Big difference.

[Greeneyedrebel]

Was it just hormone level checks, or did they run other things too?

When they run multiple labs it gets expensive quite fast. But things like cholesterol need to be checked, thyroid checks, all sorts of things. Sometimes they take one vial for me and sometimes 3 or 4. It all depends on which tests are being ordered.

[DragonBeer]

Was it just hormone level checks, or did they run other things too?

When they run multiple labs it gets expensive quite fast. But things like cholesterol need to be checked, thyroid checks, all sorts of things. Sometimes they take one vial for me and sometimes 3 or 4. It all depends on which tests are being ordered.

Just checking my thyroid and T levels.
I'm gonna have to reschedule my next bloodwork back by 1 month.
I have to do this again at the end of May and I'd rather do it later.

[FTMax]

Oh my goodness this has me nervous! I'm on my parent's insurance and I got a notice from Labcorp (who runs the lab at the clinic I go to) about my insurance needing more information. My parents haven't gotten anything from anyone, and I didn't get charged anything last Friday when I went in to get my 3 month labs done. I'm hoping I don't get hit with a bill I can afford it, but it would take a huge chunk away from my extra student loan payments.