A really mixed bag coming from Raleigh, NC to Wins...

A really mixed bag coming from Raleigh, NC to Winston. Having relocated to Winston for a few years now from the Raleigh area, I've found that healthcare in the area is a jumbled mixed bag. There is a significant lack of independent doctors offices not affiliated to one of the 2 local health system giants. This matters cause everything gets charged at hospital rates.

I learned this from my first appointment where I had a CBC with my first new patient visit with a GP. Versus the $15 at most cost I'd ever payed in the past for bloodwork, I got hit over the head with a near $400 bill. The quality of doctors and nurses is good, but the financial implication of seeing them is ridiculous.

This past year I learned (after the fact) that the hospital re-evaluates their billing charges on materials and services in July. My monthly B12 shot went from a $40ish monthly cost to $120ish monthly cost. Didn't learn of this til I discovered the 300% increase when I payed the bills the next month and then it took another month to get a valid reason why. The billing customer service people danced around my questions stating increase in cost of medicine perhaps when I clearly was looking at my EOB asking about the line items showing across the board increases.

This month I discovered that my annual visit with my general practice that is insurance covered at 100% was billed for the wellness visit but then billed again as a follow up.....all for the same visit???

Obviously you got to get treatment when you need it, but I recommend checking your options and maybe driving to Raleigh or Charlotte for medical care options where the market isn't monopolized to crush your bank accounts with the stellar health insurance plans we now get due to our last president.