Pieces of the big picture, from dx, tx, and years out afterward

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi All. I'm still NED at 8 years out and just had my annual physical exam with my nurse practitioner. The cost of the exam had not increased hardly at all.

But the escalation in the lab costs at the hospital lab blew me away. Specialized labs are always spendy, such as the cancer markers. But to find out that a vitamin D level now cost $200 all by itself.... Ye gods....

So... I thought I'd start a very simple thread here to educate us all... and ask for anyone who would like to post pre-insurance cost for their current visit or treatment or lab visit...

My total pre-insurance for the labs for my annual physical exam were $950.

MammaMia!

A.A.

P.S. What does it say when the technology costs 4 times or more as much as the actual diagnostician's time?

[Ruth]

OK....
Just had a transvaginal ultrasound...hospital charges $1465.61 before BCBS said allowable fee of $989.29. Haven't gotten Dr. charges yet. CRAZY!!! Also, have to pay most of it since I have huge deductible since I am in "high risk pool."
:-(
Hugs ~ Ruth

[Ruth]

Oh yes and CONGRATULATIONS for 8 years!!!! :-)

[flynny]

Congratualations on this mark! Incredible feeling!

[AlaskaAngel]

Thanks! (I just happened to get started sooner!)

I told my significant other what the total cost was, and he looked me up and down, shook his head dubiously, and said, "$950?"

A.A.

[sarah]

Hello,
I don't pay extra for blood tests but I did have to pay to know my vitamin D and that cost me about 30 euro. I get a full blood test every 3 months that includes cholesterol as well as all the usual organ and cancer marker stuff. Since I have cancer they will even do it at my home if I like but I just go to the local lab.
If I go to the hospital and don't want to share a room with someone, it can be expensive about 100 euro extra a day.
Glad to hear you're 8 years out! congrats! I'm working on 6 years this time around.
stay well
love sarah

[Diane H]

Let's see, 350 I paid for mammo, 200+ for bone density scan. Blood tests coming up and I see it's going to be pricey...

Congratulations Angel on the eight years out!!!

Was looking at your signature, is it hard sticking to a 1000 calorie regimen, are you dieting?

[Debbie L.]

Hi, AA, congrats on 8 years.

I avoid docs and labs, and your questions remind me of that. I think my last MD visit was to cast a broken wrist, over 2 years ago. Eventually, they'll make me go, holding the renewal of my few prescription meds hostage (imitrex, cortisone cream for eczema) until I schedule a visit. I'm fortunate to be basically healthy, and to have a reasonably-healthy lifestyle.

But I have a few friends with ridiculously high deductibles and they have begun shopping around. The difference between what one hospital and another charges those paying cash is quite amazing! We're not talking just a few dollars, but hundreds of dollars difference. Up to 50% difference for some things. Especially for things like lab work, where you can expect basic competency everywhere and don't care about details of personality match, etc -- it definitely pays to call around before "buying" their services.

So, what's your Vitamin D level, and are you already supplementing?

Debbie Laxague

[tricia keegan]

Many congratulations on eight years AA!!!!

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Diane and Debbie - I will answer the short question first - I had my first vitamin level done last August (came back at 39 despite baring my wherewithal to the sun even on snowy days, plus some supplementation). So I upped the dose to 1200-1400 a day in the last year, and my vitamin D25 0H level came back even lower this year, and the NP recommended 2,000 IU's in summer and 4,000 IU's in winter, which I will do. Deb, I know you are out pretty much as far as I am from dx, but I can't recall how many years now? Do you know how your vitamin D is, with the California sunshine? You are so right about shopping around for better prices for labs! I only have 2 choices to pick from here and until now I have had them done pretty much at the hospital lab -- but no more -- We do have a small Quest lab outlet here and next time that is where I am heading! I still am floored by it, as the $950 did not include the visit with the NP and did not include any imaging at all. I have my mammogram coming up, which is required for me to continue to participate in the ovarian cancer trial.

As for the answer to Diane's question about 1,000 calories.... I can't recommend it to anyone, and I didn't manage it overnight. I gave up one "kind" of food at a time, not because I prefer to, but because at this point I have no other choice if I don't want to gain a pound or more a week even with daily exercise. I happen to generally prefer "healthy" foods, but this is not fun. My impression is that for those who are under 55 the problem is not as severe, and for those under 50 it is even less so. I was able to lose weight with less effort after completion of treatment at age 51, but it gets harder over time, and I would advise anyone to lose it and keep it off while they can.

A.A.

[Laurel]

Just got my labs back from this quarterly visit and they ran just shy of $500. That did include a cholesterol level and Vit D. My Vit D is holding at 48, even with the supplementation of 5000 IU's daily.

Love the 8 yrs NED!