Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital

You're looking at a solid hospital with good safety records, but you need to know this: your insurance plan makes a huge difference in what you'll pay here. If you have Anthem, your negotiated rate is roughly triple what patients with Sentara Health Plan or Humana pay for the same procedure. Before you commit to scheduling, call the hospital billing department and give them your specific insurance plan name—not just "Anthem," but the exact plan. Ask them what they negotiate with your plan for your procedure. Their gross charges (sticker price) are about double their cash price, which is typical, but your actual out-of-pocket bill depends entirely on your plan's contract with them.

Here's what to do: First, call Sentara Martha Jefferson's billing office and confirm your specific procedure is in their price list and what your plan will be charged. Second, ask if you qualify for financial assistance—they have a program for people earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty line, and many eligible people never apply. Third, if the number feels high, get a quote from another Charlottesville hospital to compare what your same insurance plan pays there. Don't wait on this—do it before your appointment is scheduled.