I just had a 30 minute infusion of Reclast and my health insurance company was billed $17,000.00+.  I was shocked by the price.  My Blue Cross policy paid $2000.00 of the charge and I was not responsible for the remaining.  Geeeez, we sure need health reform.  All I can figure out is that the health care provider must have just pulled this price out of thin air!

How were you not responsible for the remaining balance?

It's my assumption the provider(doctor who provided the Reclast) is part of a practice that has a contract with the insurance provider. Almost all doctors have those agreements. 

If so, there are pre-agreed upon maximums that may be charged for the medication, treatment etc.  That means, even if you have lousy health insurance, with a high deductible(amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company pays anything) the agreed upon maximums will keep you from having to pay what an uninsured person pays.  Of course, some doctors and hospitals will reduce their charges...some won't.  But, $17000!!!!  That's absurd and, surely, is a mistake.

I had spinal surgery.  The original bill total was over $100,000.  I nearly fainted when I saw it.  Then, the insurance was filed and the agreed upon amounts reduced the bill total by 70%.  Then, they paid 80% of the remaining balance, $30,000.  I had to pay the remaining balance, which was about $6000.  That's still a lot, but...it was a vast relief after see the original $100,000. 

Everyone's insurance is a little different...and mine is private...not part of a group plan. 

I had an infusion of Reclast on August 19, 2010.  The infusion site was moved from my Rheumatologist's office to the out-patient center of the hospital which is next door.  They billed Medicare $10,010.37.  (I also have a supplemental health policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield).   Medicare paid $9,818.91 and my insurance paid $242.96.   I was also shocked by the cost.  I have gotten infusions for Rheumatoid Arthritis in my doctor's office that cost approximately 1/4 or less than the cost for the Reclast.  By getting the infusion in a section of the hospital, the hospital charged me for a room/bed, but I was actually in a large room (like a ward) that had screens between reclining chairs and I sat in a recliner chair while getting the infusion.   We sure do need health reform.  I won't be taking any more reclast, at least not as an out-patient at the hospital.

I  just had a reclast infusion on 7/13/2010.  The charge for the medicine alone was over $3,000; the total cost of the infusion was over $4,000.  I was told by the doctor that the cost to me would be about $60.  I am now looking at a bill from the hospital for over $500.  The doctor isn't budging and says he did not tell me that, but he did!  He said he would talk to the pharmaceutical liaison to see if the cost could be reduced, but if not, I would be responsible.  I think this is a horrible misuse of my money and my insurance's money.  I am perfectly capable of taking oral meds.  I only did this at this doctor's suggestion.  Do these doctors get a kick-back for recommending the drug?

Yes, there is an incentive to prescribe new medications.  The USA should be ashamed of itself for allowing this sort of business.  It's unethical and hurts everyone.