Why does health care reform mean health insurance reform??

I was dealing with a few of my clients recently. Different charges, sometimes outrageous, and I need to know why.

A month ago I had a client who gave birth, nothing unusual about that. The client was billed $14,000 for an epidural. That is right, when I tried to protest it, they said that is what we charge. The insurance companies pay what they consider to be a reasonable amount. The company in question paid $4500, which I think is reasonable. The insurance companies are under attack daily with the democrats and republicans and the lobbiest. Does anyone else think $14,000 was a bit too much.

Another client had an MRI done, it costs $2000, the insurance company eventually paid it, but initially paid $900 which is what they thought was reasonable. I have seen MRI's as low as about $750 and as high as $2300. They do the same thing, why the descrepancy??

Maybe we need to reform what can be charged for services. Or at least have it publized like when you go to the grocery store. The cost of this test is $650. You could then call your insurance carrier and determine if you want to have the test done there.

In the hospital, you have no power there as a consumer, perhaps they could only be allowed to collect reasonable charges??

Eric Wilson is an insurance broker in the Chicago Area. He can be reached at 815-372-1363 or by email at isellhealth@gmail.com.