SuziQ, my understanding is that you should be getting the contract rate all along, it's just that you have to pay the bill yourself until you hit the $3k total deductible. The doctor's office sends the paperwork in to the insurance company just like a regular claim, so the record shows what's been done and how much has been paid.

At least, that is how it has worked for me, with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

Even though I pay the doctor's office directly (using my HSA debit card), the insurance company still sends me a "claim recap." The first time that happened, I called them fearing I was being double-billed. Nope, just part of the paperwork process, showing how much the doctor bill was, and how much was approved by Anthem.

I've had two hitches so far:

One was, when I went to the CVS Minute Clinic with an ear infection, the bill I paid was $60, but the approved amount turned out to be only $40, and CVS mailed me a check for $20. Since I had paid using my HSA, I had to either a) somehow arrange to put the $20 back in the HSA as if it had never come out, or b) include the $20 as taxable income on my tax return. I took the lazy way out, and ended up paying an extra $2 in taxes.

Second was, for my latest doctor appointment (follow up blood draw to check cholesterol levels and liver function) I was charged $46 at the desk on the way out, but the "claim recap" shows the allowed amount was $50. I think this means I owe the doctor another $4, but I haven't heard from them yet.

for two glorious days of my weekend i had steel cut oats with a pinch of salt, crumbled veggie sausage, shredded super charp cheddar, and chopped fresh cilantro. So much noms. Thanks, hivemind, i never would have thought of savory oatmeal on my own.

Thanks, milady. How was the parade today? Were you at Pete's? It's my anniversary of meeting K and K, aw.

for two glorious days of my weekend i had steel cut oats with a pinch of salt, crumbled veggie sausage, shredded super charp cheddar, and chopped fresh cilantro.

That sounds really good. Possibly it's time for dinner.

That version of oatmeal actual sounds healthier than adding sugar loaded ingredients like maple syrup and dried fruit to a whole grain that is already pretty high in carbs.

Well, crap. I was feeling better this morning after the Advil kicked in, so I went to the con.

And there I lost my voice and now I feel lousy and I am at home with 200 lbs of hungry dog and a business trip this week and no sick leave accrued. This bites.

Why am I so sick this winter! Argh! I eat my vegetables and get my exercise and take my vitamins, and I even got a flu shot!

My diamond shoes are too tight!

I just put in some overnight oatmeal, and added maple syrup. :(

I haven't tried it, but I think I want to do a savory added protein oatmeal - it might be the perfect food

dcp and msbelle - that is how it seems to work for me too. I'm just confused by their web site saying I've met my deductible when I haven't paid $3k myself.

I get EOB's that show the Doctor billed, say, $200, the contract rate is $75 and I need to pay that. But what counts against my deductible total? The $200 or the $75?

I have overnight oatmeal to ready to go when I go to sleep. Bahhh, I'm following y'all.