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Natera test results may cost up to 9000% more than the expected price, according to consumers complaints on online forums.
On its billing guide, Natera says that average out of pocket testing expenses are less than $249 for consumers who have met their insurance deductible. In the case of high deductible plans where Natera estimates test costs over $249, the company promises to discuss cash pay options to resolve bills. The company also offers this option to patients whose insurance companies deny claims, though Natera claims to accept most regional and national healthcare plans such as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.
Unfortunately, according to customer recounts of billing experiences, Natera’s idealistic representations of testing costs is misleading.
The most recent complaint on Natera’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile claims that the testing company overcharged a customer by thousands of dollars. The reviewer claims they were initially quoted Natera test prices of between $150 and $200. However, after the customer received their Natera test results, the company allegedly billed their insurance for $14,792—9861% higher than the lowest quoted price.
On Yelp, countless other reviews tell the same story. Earlier this month, an Ohio reviewer posted their story after receiving Natera test results for genetic blood markers. According to the reviewer, the test ordered by his wife’s doctor was supposed to cost around $200. Instead, the couple’s insurance allegedly received a bill for $10,500—525% above the quoted price. Like reviews on the BBB website, this reviewer claims Natera uses excessive bills to “gouge unsuspecting patients” for hundreds of dollars.
Although negative Natera reviews date back years, the issue has only recently garnered public attention.
In August 2019, CBSN Dallas-Ft. Worth shared the experience of a Texas woman who claims Natera overcharged her for noninvasive prenatal testing. According to the woman, a nurse told her that the Natera test results would cost less than $200. Despite these promises, the woman’s insurance allegedly received a bill of over $4,000. As a result, the Texan says she received a bill for $611—over three times the price she was expecting.
In March 2020, The Capital Forum consulted with medical coding and billing experts who pointed to “unbundling” as a potential cause. Unbundling occurs when a healthcare provider “codes” a service as several different components instead of one, cheaper code.
“It’s kind of like the sum of the parts is greater than the whole,” Peggy Stilley of AAPC, the largest medical coding training company in the world, told The Capital Forum.
Invoices from Natera show that the company unbundles its single Horizon 274 test into up to 27 unique codes, according to The Capital Forum’s analysis.
Various states have passed laws against surprise billing. Consumers who were overcharged for Natera test results may have legal options. A lawsuit against the medical testing company could help consumers recover inflated costs they may have been pressured into paying.
63 thoughts onHow Much Do Natera Test Results Cost With Insurance?
I was informed by provider’s office that this would cost $249 out of pocket. Natera has charged me with an $8,000 bill. This is quite frankly unacceptable, painful surprise billing and of course, not affordable for me and my family; I’m in complete shock. Please reach out to me with further information as how to join this class action. PLEASE HELP & Thank you!
Chelsea, me and my wife are in the same boat natera gave us a hefty bill of $10000. For prenatal genetic testing. Can you please let me know of you found any solution
My wife took a saliva test from NATERA and today we received $14000 bill
My wife did a prenatal blood test and was promised her out of pocket cost would be less than $200. Yet, my insurance was billed almost $7000 and she owes $2300! Absolutely unacceptable. Seems like from other comments this company is trying to commit insurance fraud here. Waiting for class action suit to be a part of it.
I was told by the nurse that because I’m 35 my insurance would definitely cover the natera genetic test, but it’s only $250 IF they didn’t…. I just received an EOB from insurance that states they were charged $8,000 and won’t pay any of this. This is beyond ridiculous. I shouldn’t even have to pay the $250.
Hello!! Is there any way to claim not to pay for that exorbitant amount of dollars? Exactly the same thing happened to me and I don’t know how to proceed.
I had the same experience. I was told it would be $350 for both if I paid out of pocket but knew my insurance would cover most of it. I got the bill and they charged my insurance over $10,000 and I owed $750. I called the billing department for Natera and they gave me the out of pocket price, so I ended up only paying $250. When you get your bill, call and ask to pay the out of pocket price!!! They should adjust it for you!!!
billed 8700 is there a class action
I was also told the max out of pocket will be $200 – $300 and the bill came around $14000. How is this supposed to work ? This is seriously not ok.
Doctor Arlington Height Illinois told me its will around 200$, and Amount Billed is $12,737.00. Even doctor done nothing for any treatment. This test is milking cow for doctor s now a days.
The nipt test I took said it would be $375 out of pocket without billing insurance or 1000 dollars deductible and 75 dollar co pay if I went through insurance. How is this even legal? Total scam on insurance. If there’s a class action law suit being filed, please let me know.
Billed my insurance $8000 and just received a bill stating I would have to pay $4100. Beyond angry and frustrated. Wish more expectant mothers knew about this fraud.