I think I’ve finally received my last medical bill for the thumb injury. Here’s a breakdown of what everything costs, how much the insurance paid, and what I paid.

May 31, 2006 (Emergency Room)

Cost: $3249.15
Paid by insurance: $1868.26
From my pocket: $151.04

May 31 & June 9, 2006 (Prescription-narcotic painkillers and antibiotics)

Cost: $93.46
Paid by insurance: $53.46
From my pocket: $40.00

June 9, 2006 (Thumb surgery)

Cost: $4468.00
Paid by insurance: $3276.92

June 2 to September 13, 2006 (Occupational therapy)

Cost: $8586.00
Paid by insurance: $1193.62

Total cost: $16,396.61
Total paid by insurance: $6392.26
Total from my pocket: $191.04

As you can see, the cost and amount paid are not equal. There’s some kind of discount-thing that happens between the provider and the insurance company. Even if the insurance did not pay the whole discounted amount, the provider sort of waived the leftover amount (I hope, since I didn’t receive any additional bills).

I remember telling someone (before the injury) that I’m paying all these biweekly insurance premium payments and I have never benefitted from it. I spoke too soon!