High charge at urgent care

[u/PromotionAgile]

I was charged $900 for a 15 minute visit to urgent care. Insurance doesn't cover any of it because I have a high deductible plan. I called the medical practice saying the charge was ridiculous. They checked the billing codes and found no error.

They said the insurance company sets the price and I can file a grievance with insurance. That seems like a wild goose chase.

Why is it so expensive? Is there anything I can do to reduce the cost?

[u/Naive-Garlic2021]

Unless a mistake was made, this is an expensive lesson, one that many of us have learned the same way. Always ask beforehand what the cost will be. Download a copy of your plan coverage and study it carefully. Mine specifies that if I go to an in network urgent care, it's 40 bucks. If you have a high deductible plan that pays nothing until you meet the deductible, and you don't expect to meet the deductible, it may be better to just pay cash. If you want better coverage and have a choice, you'll be able to switch for next year. But you'll pay a higher premium, likely more than 700 bucks over the year.