<prompt> Human: I thought this would be a good contribution given the 30-day challenge. Im pregnant and had to get some testing done, which my provider outsourced to other labs. She gave me the options, and I called ahead to determine which would cost less with my insurance. I was quoted 300, and went with that. Imagine our surprise a couple of months later when we get a bill for 1600. I called and negotiated it down 20, and then finally down to the original 300 quote. Just a reminder to those with medical bills that they arent set in stone, and all it takes is a phone call to find out what the billing provider andor your insurance can do for you. Assistant: Could you be more specific? Normally when I have had tests done by my doctor, he just does them and a couple weeks later I get a bill from the lab directly. How do you even ask yo get multiple options? How do you get a quote that they could commit to and get leverage with? How do you know who to call to renegotiate after getting a quote? Just the insurance or the lab? Human: Full disclosure: I work in the health care industry in a non-clinical capacity. So behind the scenes, with outsourced tests and lab work, companies essentially lobby doctors to use their services and products, just like pharmaceutical companies. Because this test is pretty specific it isnt done by Qwest or other labs that process basic diagnostic lab work and there are fewer labs that do it, so options are limited. My provider chooses to work with three labs that offer this test, and will do the blood work in house then send it off to one of those three companies. She gave me the info for all three companies, and I researched each by calling and giving them my specific insurance info and asking for a cost estimate if I used their company for the test, and asking what all their version of this blood panel screened for. Your provider should have brochures and info for all the products and services that are offered that heshe doesnt directly provide. If its basic diagnostic lab work, like blood glucose tests for example, they are probably just going to use a lab near their office and there is probably at least a couple of options depending on the size of your town or city. If youre receiving big bills, Id talk to your provider about your lab work options. Id start by asking which are absolutely necessary and which can maybe be done at longer intervals assuming theyre recurring tests, or not at all. Then Id ask what labs heshe works with and request their contact information. Each lab is going to have a billing department, and should have a team that can work on prior authorization for insurance. You call and give them your specific insurance info, the insurance company, plan, and group number, and they can give you a cost estimate. When you do this make sure to ask if that cost estimate is based upon whether or not youve met your deductible because that will make a difference. Take notes, get the name of the rep providing you this information, and write down the date you call. If youre calling to negotiate a bill, youll call the billing provider, which in my case was the lab. I let the rep know that I had called previously and they had knowledge of this, so I guess theyd entered my info in their system and told him what the other rep had told me. We went back and forth for a bit, and he was truly nice and helpful, and after a few instances of putting me on hold to speak with a manager, he confirmed that they would honor the amount I was originally quoted. If they hadnt, then I was planning on calling my insurance provider. At the very least, I was going to get them to put me on a payment plan, and request a monthly statement, and take their 20 discount they offered. Hope this info helps! Talk to your doc though; they are used to dealing with billing issues and can help you figure out the best way to receive the care you need for the least amount of cost out of your pocket. Edit TLDR:Talk to your doc about your testing options, including which tests are absolutely necessary, and request contact info for the labs they use. Contact those labs with your insurance information and find out what the bill would be for your tests, including before and after deductible. Take notes. To negotiate a bill, call billing provider and discuss whether or not you were quoted something different, and what your options are for reducing payment.  <response>: Whats so sad about this is that it required a pregnant woman to do at least a days work to investigate options, and you STILL got stiffed with the billing. Imagine the thousands of women without the knowledge, or resources, or education to do what you did. We experienced similar with an outpatient procedure my husband needed. It galled me to think of all the men in the same situation without insurance, without education, or without any familiarity with the business of healthcare who would just continue to suffer until they landed in the ER and required emergency surgery. Im happy that you deservedly sought and got a fair outcome, but you are definitely the exception. 