CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND MY HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY?

Hi. If you have a 5k deductible on your insurance policy it means that you will have to afford any expenses up to 5k. Using the example in your question, 5k deductible - 500.00 paid = 4500.00 you still have to pay for the insurance to kick in. That said, from the remainder deductible or 4500.00 - 4000.00 for the test = 500.00. Assuming you will go ahead with the test, any costs associated with it will have to be paid by you and a bill wil be sent to you. In other words you are responsible for the test and associated costs up to your remaining decutible of 4500.00. Any future amounts over 5000.00 willbe covered by the provider.

First of all, the $4,000 cost is probably the "retail" price....that is, the price that someone would have to pay if they have no insurance. The actual cost in your situation is whatever the agreed upon rate is for that procedure between the hospital/provider and the insurance company. Secondly, most insurance works such that you will pay the hospital after the claim has been submitted to your insurance company. You might want to talk to the hospital business office so you know for sure.