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I have Medicare and no supplemental. Dr. Eid is my surgeon. The ladies in his office tell me Medicare pays Dr. Eid 100% The surgical center and anesthesiology Medicare pays 80%. Total out of pocket $3500-$4500. I was told I could go on a payment plan and ask for a discount as a self-pay patient. Any experience with getting a discount?

Also on Medicare here. No "supplemental" but husband and I have Aetna for our secondary insurance. It's required that we have either a Part D insurance carrier, OR what's called a "Qualifying Plan". Aetna is a Qualifying Plan. As you described, Medicare covered 80%... but then Aetna covered all the remaining costs. As a result, I had no Out-of-Pocket expenses.

Pardon my confusion, but wouldn't "self-pay" imply someone who has NO insurance? Doesn't being on Medicare preclude a "self-pay" status?