Received a $3,000 Bill for a Prenatal Blood Test – Is This Normal?

Hi! I just moved to the US, and this was my first time seeing an OB-GYN for my pregnancy. I was surprised by a recent bill, and any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a high deductible insurance plan. Before my appointment, I called the clinic to inquire about costs, but they said they couldn’t provide an estimate since it depends on my insurance and the codes from the doctor.

During my first prenatal visit, the doctor mentioned that I needed some basic blood tests for pregnancy. I assumed these were standard for all pregnant women. However, after my insurance covered over $1,000, I was still left with a bill of $3,108.24.

CPT/HCPCS Description QTY Amount 86850 HB AB SCREEN, GEL 1 209.24 86900 HB PATIENT ABO TYPE 221.01 86901 HB PATIENT RH TYPE 1 134.82 80053 COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL 1 648.51 83036 HEMOGLOBIN A1C 1 194.25 84443 THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1 160.39 84702 BETA HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN QUANTITATIVE 1 303.30 87086 URINE CULTURE 378.65 86703 HIV 1,2 WITH GROUP 0 1 318.16 86762 RUBELLA IGG 1 332.63 86780 HB TREPONEMA PALLIDUM ANTIBODY 152.00 86803 HEP C AB 349.13 87340 HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN 349.13 85025 COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT 324.05 87491 HB NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE 188.55 87591 HB CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS 188.55 81001 UAD -~- 117.39 84144 PROGESTERONE QUANT, SERUM/PLASMA-ARUP 27.25 86787 VARICELLA ZOSTER ANTIBODY IGG 11.21 CA-ACTUAL CONTRACTUAL ADJUSTMENT – CR -119.81 PMT-INSURANCE 1 -1,380.07 Total 3,108.34

I contacted the lab, and they explained that the tests I had were very comprehensive. They provided a cost breakdown and noted that, as a hospital lab, their prices are higher than those of outside labs.

Is this kind of charge normal?

submitted by /u/miumiuchichi
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