We all know the benefits of saving for a rainy day. But what if, despite years of planning and organization, you find yourself with a gap in your insurance? If this is the case, don’t postpone much-needed outpatient surgery. There are options galore at clinics like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC).
Insurance gaps can arise at all ages, states of employment, and for a number of reasons. Younger people can stay on their parent’s plan until the age of 26 but may not find full-time, fully-insured work right away.
For American’s taking a chance on the rising ‘gig economy,’ acting as a delivery service or on-call driver, it may be difficult to establish a regular monthly income. This can make budgeting for your monthly premium difficult.
When applying for Medicare at age 65, it quickly becomes obvious that they don’t cover everything. According to Medicare.gov, health care expenses like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles are still the patient’s responsibility.
Find yourself in an insurance gap? You’ve got options for treatment!
If you find yourself in an insurance gap, don’t postpone necessary treatment for podiatry, urology, gastroenterology, general surgery, or orthopedic issues. Waiting can force you to live with unnecessary pain, limited mobility, and reliance on prescription medication. At Pacific Surgical Center, a commitment to transparency pricing means all costs are clearly posted and medical estimates are honored even if surgery is more involved than anticipated.
At PSC, trained financial counselors and staff will walk you through all costs beforehand. They “know how confusing, and potentially overwhelming medical care can be. The challenges can be even greater when it comes to insurance companies, insurance plans, co-pays, deductibles, etc. So our caring, friendly team strives to give you the support and help you need to navigate the insurance-related aspects of your care at PSC.”
Though the up-front prices are often cheaper than billing your insurance, PSC gladly accepts local, regional, and national plans. And there are purchasable options for those in the market for a catastrophic or supplemental coverage insurance umbrella.
A Comparative Look at Average Costs of Insurance
It’s reported that “the average U.S. consumer spends more than $10,000 a year on healthcare. That is 50% more than consumers in other countries in the world.” For young, healthy individuals, a catastrophic plan isn’t as scary as it sounds.
These are high-deductible plans primarily used in case of emergency. Monthly premiums are inexpensive, but the subscriber is responsible for nearly all costs until the deductible is met. Thankfully, under the Affordable Care Act, “Catastrophic plans cover the same essential health benefits as other Marketplace plans. Like other plans, catastrophic plans cover certain preventive services at no cost. [And] they also cover at least 3 primary care visits per year before you’ve met your deductible.”
For seniors, Medicare Supplement Insurance helps with the extra costs not covered by Medicare Part A and/or B. “The U.S. government estimates that seniors spend $7,620 a year just for Medicare coverage Part A and B.,” says Bill Fay at Debt.org. “Fidelity Investments forecasts a healthy 65-year-old couple retiring today will need more than $275,000 to cover their medical expenses in retirement.”
At PSC, our staff knows how, and when, to bill Medicare, private insurance, or just pay cash to maximize your overall healthcare dollar. They’re experienced in the language, lingo, billing codes, and paperwork required for a successful submission.
Once the financial side of things is taken care of, it’s easier to recover and heal. Because the doctors are highly specialized, trained, and hand-picked, you can rest assured you’ll be treated well. Thanks to a patient-first goal, “Your experience will involve exceptional care with easier access, more privacy, less paperwork, greater comfort and less stress than if your procedure were performed at a hospital. Our physicians use the most advanced surgical equipment and technology available. This ensures that your procedure will be fast, comfortable and minimally invasive; and it also will require less recovery time than a surgical procedure performed using older methods and instruments.”
PSC Offers Supreme Outpatient Care
And we mean fast. Procedures typically take less than four hours and not an overnight hospital stay. Posted prices “include the facility fee, the surgeon’s fee, and the anesthesiologist’s fee. The initial consultation with the surgeon is also included, as is uncomplicated follow-up care.” Lab work and MRI scans can also be completed on-site.
Saving for a rainy day isn’t fun but it’s necessary. Thanks to Pacific Surgical Center, work-related or sports injuries, arthritis, carpal tunnel, hernias, IBS, GERD, and more don’t have to slow you down…or break the bank. Contact PSC online or by calling 360-442-7900 to speak with a specialist and arrange an appointment today.
