Natera Horizon Carrier Screening – How I Negotiated $6200 Bill Down To $100

I hope this post may help someone here stuck with a crazy bill from Natera.

I took the Natera Horizon Carrier Screening Test.

Was told by the doctor that it should be at most $250. Should be less for husbands.

So I was shocked to see a exorbitant bill for $900+

This is apparently the breakdown for a test that’s $250 if it’s paid out of the pocket

• $6200 – Cost for Horizon Screening
• $3400 – Health Insurance negotiated down
• $1900 – What insurance paid
• $900 – What I owe

So I called Natera …

1. If you’re reading this, I know you’re upset. Don’t worry, price will come down to at least $250, but they’ll make you play the car dealership game over phone. Keep cool, be nice to the reps, and be assertive.
2. I called to say that my doc told me it’ll be $100-250. Not $900.
3. First rep offered me a payment plan. He made this part very wordy that it may sound like he’s offering a discount and trying to get you to agree to it. I said I’m not interested in a payment plan and that I want to pay what was agreed upon.
4. Rep offered a “Compassion program” where you have to submit your W-2/tax and they’ll lower it to $0-150. They’ll get back to me in 2-3 days. I said no thanks, I’ll just pay the full $250 out of pocket cost.
5. Transferred to a rep that is higher in rank, but spoke perfect English and was very kind.
6. Rep said she can see if she can get the original $250 quote approved.
7. I asked if she can try for $100 since that was what was agreed upon.
8. She said she can try and it was approved.
9. Paid and done.

Natera still made a lot of money

Natera got paid $1900 (from insurance) +$100 (from me) = $2000 for one blood test

I’m sure there will be a class action lawsuit one day, but that’s still probably worth it for them to keep this scam going. Their company value is $21,540,000,000 (NTRA $157.73)