I dont understand this country

I made an appt for my standard wellness annual visit. Ran yearly blood work and answered a few questions.

It was recommended that I have genetic cancer counseling because of my family history.

“Is this covered by insurance? Do you know how much it will cost?”

– No. You have to call the cancer center or insurance.

Okay.

I call the cancer center. They say you can ask insurance or check with their finance department but they only check AFTER you make an appointment.

I call my insurance. I am transferred 4 times.

I have to confirm if my doctor/facility is in network. I don’t know how to find out and ask if they can. They look up the cancer center, having double check multiple times that it is covered by insurance/in network.

I am asked if my referral is:

– Genetic Testing

– Non-routine Genetic Counseling

– Routine Genetic Counseling

I say, how can I know the difference? I can send referral. She says she can't explain the difference because I am not medically trained. I am told routine medically necessary testing is covered, 100%. Genetic testing and non-routine is not covered, subject to my deductible (which is very high). But we don't know which one I have an appointment for so I have to call them.

I call the cancer center and make the appointment. They say I can now speak to a department covering financial / benefits / price points. They transfer me.

There's a few options regarding billing, price quotes, and benefits. I ask to speak with price quotes.

I am told they don’t know if its covered because they don’t know what type of counseling. I have a new patient consult appointment currently, not the test yet, so they don’t know which test. So they say I should talk to my doctor. I advised my doctor referred me. Then they ask me to speak directly to the office where I have the appointment. I am not sure what the price quote department point of existence is at this point.

I speak to the office and advise I want to know what’s covered by insurance. They search for my appointment. She says visit is covered depending on benefits which will be ran after the appointment. I advise that I want to know if I can get the price now, before, in case its very high. I don't get a response?? She says it's a standard consult visit. specialist visit.

I ask them if they know if I am referred as genetic testing, non-routine genetic counseling, or routine genetic counseling. She said “most likely” its routine genetic counseling. I ask if we can know for sure which one. I would only know the type of genetic testing after the visit. I asked if they know how much just this first counseling visit would be out of pocket – 350$. Follow up visits are 150$. I won’t know which type of genetic testing it is (if its covered or not) AFTER the appointment or how much those cost until counseling refers what kind of test.

This is bureaucratic insanity. Why cant the department that makes the appointment just take your insurance and tell you how much you will be charged? I still don't know the end costs of everything.

Edit: 36, Florida. My contract ends in 2 months. I have a high deductible (6000$) plan. I have Cigna.

submitted by /u/PotatoStasia
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