Question about how much it costs for Cleveland Clinic to review your records

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Dawn-Marie

Hi ~ My doctor sent all my medical records to Dr. William Stewart at Cleveland Clinic. They wrote me an e-mail saying that it is not free for the doctor to review the records and that it is not covered by insurance. They told me to get in touch with the Financial Counselor to find out the cost. I called her, but she's on vacation for a week. I wondered if any of you were there and had to pay for this, so you would know how much it is? I have no savings and live on SSDI, so i can't afford a huge bill. I would like to know so i can tell Dr. Stewart's secretary to please not have him review my records if it is going to cost more than $100, or so, (and i'm sure it will be way higher than $100). Thank you for your replies.
 
Hi Dawn Marie

Sorry I cannot answer your question
( I live in England so am not familiar with hospital charges)

Maybe you could call the admin department and someone there coud tell you how much the charges would be,

cheers

Jan
 
I would just give them a call and ask

. I had insurance when Cleveland Clinic reviewed my records, but they never sent anything regarding a bill, which usually happens when I go to the docs even if the insurance covered everything.

Also, some doctors will look at your records for free if you're out of town, etc.
 
If you go to their website the cost will be listed. I honestly think it was around $200.00 when they reviewed my husband's records. It was the BEST money we ever spent. I would do it again! My husband had surgery there last September and it was unquestionably the right decision for us. I have been following your story with great interest and concern. Let me encourage you to follow through with sending your records for their opinion.
 
Normally nonprofit, tax-exempt hospitals must provide some level of free care (also called uncompensated care or "charity care" but don't be put off by the name if they call it that) to justify their tax-exempt status. They will undoubtedly have a policy on this. As others have said, it may be posted on their website.
 
Hi Dawn-Marie,
I got a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic and ended up going there for my surgery. I found that it was very easy to talk with a nurse about my condition and the information that they needed for a second opinion. I encourage you to call their toll-free number and talk with a Heart & Vascular Institute Resource Nurse.
Heart & Vascular Institute

The Resource nurse will assign you a patient number and tell you everything you need to send and how to easily reach her as you need. They were really helpful for me.

Their webpage shows that a second opinion costs $565, and you can probably do it over the phone instead of over the internet.

CC Second Opinion costs

For more about what their second opinion see this link.
CC Second Opinion
The people there are really exceptional and friendly. I know you will find them very helpful with your medical and financial needs. Please call them.

Take care and good luck,
John
 
Last edited:
Dawn Marie, Please persue this option at CC...don't be scared off because of the cost. I have no doubt that they help people all the time who don't have the funds to do these types of things. I'm sure there it someone in billing who can help you or maybe a social worker who works in the hospital can guide you. Keep pushing and you'll get there.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Kim
 
Lionheart said:
Hi Dawn-Marie,
I got a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic and ended up going there for my surgery. I found that it was very easy to talk with a nurse about my condition and the information that they needed for a second opinion. I encourage you to call their toll-free number and talk with a Heart & Vascular Institute Resource Nurse.
Heart & Vascular Institute

The Resource nurse will assign you a patient number and tell you everything you need to send and how to easily reach her as you need. They were really helpful for me.

Their webpage shows that a second opinion costs $565, and you can probably do it over the phone instead of over the internet.

CC Second Opinion costs

For more about what their second opinion see this link.
CC Second Opinion
The people there are really exceptional and friendly. I know you will find them very helpful with your medical and financial needs. Please call them.

Take care and good luck,
John
Click to expand...


Hi Dawn,
As John mentioned, go into the CC links he provided & do the on-line chat w/the nurse. I did this about a month ago when I thought I'd have to be looking for a 2nd opinion with my situation. I too was quoted the $565 fee to have my records reviewed. DO NOT be put off by this charge because your financial situation is completely different from mine & I'm sure that there are provisions for special need cases.

The nurse answered my question right away so please look into it right away!

Good luck & I'll be in touch w/you soon! :)
 
Hi everyone ~

Thank you so much for your advice. Dr. Strzalka already sent all the information they need to Dr. William Stewart. He works in conjunction with Dr. Lars Svensson (the surgeon). I talked to two of the nurses at Cleveland Clinic and they told me to talk to the Financial Counselor in charge of Cardiothoracic surgery and she would tell me what it cost. I called her number, but she's on vacation until the end of next week. I just wanted to make sure of the cost before he starts reviewing the information. Dr. Strzalka went ahead and sent all my information to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC too. They're probably reviewing my records too. They should do it free of charge though, as Dr. Strzalka said a doctor from there had called him and requested patients for him to use as guinea pigs. As you suggested, i will tell them of my financial situation. I already owe quite a bit for co-pays for my 2 hospital visits (in NYS you have to pay the first $1,024 when you go in the hospital with Medicare. Once i pay this, between Medicare and Medicaid everything else will be paid for). Unfortunately, i'm still paying the $900 something bill i had from when i was at ECMC in Buffalo, NY in November, 2007 when i had congestive heart failure. I don't mind paying for them to read my records, i'm just hoping that they will let me pay on time...then i can do it. I just can't come up with more than $100 a month right now.

I'll call the Financial Counselor when she gets back, but in the meantime i'll check the webpage you told me about. Thank you so much to all of you for your concern and advice!
 
Dawn-Marie, if you are being evaluated or reviewed for a specific study, this may not be considered in the same way as a second opinion, and the study people may cover all the expenses. So you might just be 100% in the clear !
 
Oh, i never thought of that. Soon as the financial counselor is back i'll call and ask her. It sure would be nice if that is the case!
 
Dawn Marie..... It can't hurt to ask her if she can 'make it the case'. Sometimes things happen just because we ask. Sometimes not, of course. Please know you are so on my mind and prayers and I send you the very best wishes.
 
Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting, but I have been reading your posts for several months. I have adult congenital heart disease, with one defect that was repaired when I was a year old, and aortic stenosis that has become severe. I have seen 4 cardiologists and 2 surgeons where I live (Pittsburgh), and each has a different opinion as to when I will need surgery. So I finally decided to contact the Cleveland Clinic. I faxed all my relevant data to the ACHD cardiologist, but his PA is the one who has reviewed it. There has been no mention of a fee. I asked for the cardiologist to call me tomorrow so we can discuss it, so I'll see if he does and what he says. It's really been beneficial for me to read what you all have written. Thanks!
 
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