Annual Blood Work Costs

I just visited my surgeon for my annual and he ordered my blood  work.  I was astonished to receive a bill for $1,600 for the blood work prior to the insurance processing.  Just curious, what have others experienced?

Sounds about right to me, for a full set of labs.

I'm not surprised at that number. I have been closely monitoring my eons from the insurance company lately and that sounds about right. What is actually paid is a fraction of that amount. I think for a full work up, it was somewhere around 250.

Ugh - I meant 'eob' not eon or whatever autocorrect put in.

Some of the tests they do are quite pricey.  My lab charges $400 just for the Vit D test.  Depending on whether they also do a full thyroid panel and a couple of other things not related to my RNY, the billed amount for mine is $1800-$2000.

Lora

Thanks everyone for your replies.  I'll wait to see what my insurance pays.  Perhaps, I have not paid much attention in the past.   I can't imagine how people with no insurance can afford blood work.  It reminds me of when stores mark up the price of an item and then sell it for 50% which turns out to be the normal retail price.

My insurance will not cover my blood work, but the hospital will accept what the insurance company would pay, if I pay up front. 

Funny story.  I had mine done a few years ago and it cost something like that amount.  Medicare paid the bill, but I got a letter from them telling me to 'not do it again.'  They said they would pay, because I did not know that I should not order so much work.  Since then my PCP has been ordering more limited blood work.  I guess, if he saw anything out of line or if I was not feeling well, he would order more.  So far I have done fine without a full lab.  I get my protein in, take my vitamins.  So far so good.  I am working on taking off 20 lbs regain.   RNY 3/11/2005    262 hi, 128 lo, 147 today    5'1"   68 years old  

My final cost was close to $500 for blood work, that was the insurance price. Due to a high deductible I got to pay it all. I consider it money well spent.