When going to the emergancy room, are the deductable and copay the same thing?

Question

I have United Health Care and my copay for a broken ankle at the ER is $100. I paid the copay in the office. I got a $300 bill sent to a collections agency for my deductable. I wasn't aware that I'd have to pay $400. Is this right, or is there a way I can fix this?

Answer 1

~~No-deductibles and copays are two different things. Copays are for office visits with your primary care doctor, specialist, and ER visits. If they do any lab work, tests, or procedures, or prescriptions then there is a deductible that must be covered first. Your policy will tell you what your annual deductible is.~~

Answer 2

It's already gone to a collection agency and you're NOW wondering if you needed to pay it?  My advice would have been to call the insurance company months ago when you got the bill to ask.

Answer 3

hmmm

Answer 4

Copay is 'per visit', so every time you go to the Er, you have a $100 copay. Deductible is every year... So, in addition to the per visit copay; you also have a $300 yearly deductible. Once your deductible is met, your insurance usually pays a percentage.  

Answer 5

No, deductibles and copays are not the same thing. Deductibles are due before your insurer pays anything at all.  Coinsurance is usually a percentage of the bills you are required to pay after you pay the deductible.  So if you have 20% coinsurance you would pay 20% of the bill over $100 and then your insurance company would pay the other 80%.  There's usually  a maximum you have to pay out of your own pocket, so if you had really  huge bills your part would be limited...

While it stinks to have to pay them, deductibles and coinsurance make the insurance much more affordable.  If you did not have deductibles and coinsurance you probably would not be able to afford insurance at all.  Then you'd be stuck with much higher bills!

Call the  hospital and see if they'll let you make payments, or perhaps settle for a lesser amount.  And some friendly advice - don't wait for it to get to collections next time there's something you don't think is right.  Call when you get the first bill.  Otherwise it screws up your credit...

Good luck!

Answer 6

Office copays and deductibles are not the same coverage as ER visits.  Check your plan coverage provisions.