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[clhw AT infoave.net (clhw)]

The local hospital to my county has instituted a 30% discount for anyone
who pays the entire bill of a procedure, like a lab blood work, before it
is done. It also discounts the amount which must be paid if it is paid
within 30 days.

All the doctors who are affiliated under the hospital system (not all those
who can admit to the hospital) also give 20 or 30% discount for bills paid
immediately upon the visit.

The hospital in the next county over, which is a larger regional hospital,
gives a 7% discount for all bills paid immediately. Larger percentages are
given for people with no insurance, upon negotiation.

One doctor's office, registered with the regional hospital, but not
sporting their name on its bills discounts as much as 50% on negotiation.

It is rare for a hospital (or doctor) to see money from an insurance
company in less than 90 days and they have to pay someone to do the filing
papers to get it then. So, it's like a gas station which has a lower price
for cash payment. Also, they know that people who are strapped to pay a
bill may just give up if not allowed some more reasonable amount to pay.

>Actually, the reverse is true.  Non-insurance patients are charged the
>*standard* rates.  Insurance companies negotiate a rate which is lower than
>the standard.
>
>Hospitals *rarely* discount for cash and it has to be cash up front.
>*Some,* again *rare* doctors will discount for cash up front.
>
>*Sometimes,* again, not the rule but rather the exception, you can negotiate
>the insurance rate on a bill with a hospital but usually only if you pay
>within a very stort period of time.
>
>Lynda