Springfield isn't really that wealthy of an area. There is an immense older working class population. South side can get ritzy sure but what makes them think regular people can afford thousands of dollars randomly?

Yeah I thought so too, but they've informed me that this is what they assume I'll owe after the insurance. I even have a good standing with them and am a regular patient. They have no real reason to pressure me like this.

Fucking bummer dude. I assume if you just bluntly turn people away you won't get even the massive insurance payment.

Just to clarify while I did state it is a 'minor outpatient procedure' it is still medically necessary and not an elective procedure. The procedure itself has already been approved by insurance. This is solely a side payment they want from me. I even did offer to make payments and was directly told that isn't available and the cash is needed up front. After reading other comments here I honestly believe this practice should be illegal.

Pretty boomer take mate. Not even remotely the same thing, you really don't have a ton of options with how insurance is currently. Regardless of the procedure it's in no way shape or form like owning a car. We could easily turn to socialist medicine which objectively works if we would shed our other corrupt as fuck systems. I even have pretty good insurance through my employer. This absolutely feels like muscling money out of people who need help.

I'll do my best to update. Pretty thankful for all the input.

Thank you! This was really stressful but I'm seeing more and more of these responses which helps a lot.

Very much appreciate your reply. Yours and the other comments have made me feel a lot more confident in telling them to gtfo

Wow that's fucking horrible. I was a Mercy employee a long time ago and I refuse to use them because of similar practices. I'm ashamed that I thought Cox was any better. What a joke.

That might end up being what I have to do. If that's the case I'll be sure to let them know that their lack of financing or willingness to work with me led them to make absolutely nothing off me or my insurance.

I think that's actually who is pressing me to pay up front lol. I will absolutely look into care credit though.

1000% agree. Too much money to be made from lobbyists clearly.

Wow that's insane. Mind blowing is a good way to put it. I don't know why anybody pays for this or insurance if they offer no help.

Thank you. It is crazy isn't it? It's not a major surgery but it is a needed surgery. My insurance already approved it. I never thought I would have this much trouble.

Thanks, I hate it. What an insanely predatory system. I'm glad you got reimbursed and sorry you had to go through that.

Seems like the thing to do. I hope they won't, I've put off the surgery for a year already because they did this last time.

Waiting on a call back from them now. Thanks for your help.

Of course not. I super do too. I worked in Healthcare for years and never heard of this.

Thank you! I'm doing this now!

Thank you a ton! They sure were pushy about it.

I sure do.

Very much appreciate this. Gonna be giving them a call back shortly to say this exact thing.

I didn't think so but it was a call from the office of the surgeon directly. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is a bit wild.

Yeah I guess it is. I haven't either to be honest. I'm in good standing with Cox too. I just got a call informing me if I don't pay by the 7th my surgery will have to be rescheduled or canceled. Pretty dumb.