Hausse 0 #1 June 24, 2009 I just got the single most outrageous hospital bill ever. I had to go to the ER about 3 weeks ago due to feeling like crap for close to a week and being about 3h away from my University's health center. I was in the ER for about an hour, a doc talked to me, took blood and sent it to the lab and that was it. No drugs, no stay nothing. Just got the bill for $1497. I'm fully insured but I'll call them up tomorrow anyways and tell them that's ridiculous and that there's no way I'll pay it. Anyone have similar experiences? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #2 June 24, 2009 We do have a sad medical system don't we!! You should ask for an "itemized bill", and check it over. Always lots of overages and mistakes there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OlympiaStoica 0 #3 June 24, 2009 Yep ... I got the flu this winter ... after 3 days of trying to "sleep it off", when my temperature passed 104.5 F (and I started seeing stuff I knew wasn't there) I headed to the emergency room. Once I got there and they took my temperature, they had me right in (no wait). Same thing ... took some blood, gave me some Motrin, some IV fluids, than when my temperature came down (temporarely, mind you) they said - yeah, you got the Flu, go home. I got a bill close to $2,000 for that - my copay was $75 ... the rest was paid by the insurance ... I still found it ridiculous. O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #4 June 24, 2009 Wow, I can't wait to see the bill from the ER this past Saturday. Damn tree jumped in my way on landing, fell 20 feet (give or take). Foot broken in a few places, back tweaked. The ER did X-rays and a CT Scan to make sure I had no internal injuries. This bill is gonna have a LOT of zeros on the end! Thank goodness for m insurance!Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cashmanimal 0 #5 June 24, 2009 Quote I started seeing stuff I knew wasn't there Where can I buy some of this "flu" you speak of?....It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stoneycase 0 #6 June 24, 2009 QuoteI just got the single most outrageous hospital bill ever. I had to go to the ER about 3 weeks ago due to feeling like crap for close to a week and being about 3h away from my University's health center. I was in the ER for about an hour, a doc talked to me, took blood and sent it to the lab and that was it. No drugs, no stay nothing. Just got the bill for $1497. I'm fully insured but I'll call them up tomorrow anyways and tell them that's ridiculous and that there's no way I'll pay it. Anyone have similar experiences? $3,100 for a 3hour trip to the ER. 2hours in the room. 1 doctor for maybe 30min total. 1 nurse periodically. Flu-like symptoms, nausea, fever, etc. Diagnosed as a bad case of the flu or maybe food poisoning. Basic IV, then I'm on my way. Another: Father had pneumonia. Extended hospital stay, very serious, surgery, bad bad ju-ju. We're talking close to 3 weeks here, with a lot of time in ICU. $1million+ Happened over a year ago, parents still receiving bills. By their tally, the bills that came to the house came to almost 1.1m. Of course the battle(s) with the insurance company continue. Imagine getting bills in the mail, repeatedly, for $120k, $70k, $200k, $10k. No wonder health care expenses cause bankruptcy so easily. http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5530Y020090604 Though I'm not sure I believe the stats, from personal experience, health insurance is not a "get out of hospital free" card. More than 75 percent of these bankrupt families had health insurance but still were overwhelmed by their medical debts Our current health care system rocks (not). I'm fairly certain that a new system will also rock (not). Overall things are looking up.Does whisky count as beer? - Homer There's no justice like angry mob justice. - Skinner Be careful. There's a limited future in low pulls - JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #7 June 24, 2009 Quote I just got the single most outrageous hospital bill ever. I had to go to the ER about 3 weeks ago due to feeling like crap for close to a week and being about 3h away from my University's health center. I was in the ER for about an hour, a doc talked to me, took blood and sent it to the lab and that was it. No drugs, no stay nothing. Just got the bill for $1497. I'm fully insured but I'll call them up tomorrow anyways and tell them that's ridiculous and that there's no way I'll pay it. Anyone have similar experiences? We tried that with our insurance co, claiming we were overchaged. Insurance co said services were rendered so they had to pay.One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #8 June 24, 2009 People block ERs with 'not feeling good'? - Jeeze no wonder they charge you ... ER is for EMERGENCIES. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #9 June 24, 2009 Not to cause a big arguement so this thread doesn't get thrown to the SC but why the ER and not a walk in clinic somewhere? I have been to clinics for stuff like a sore throat for days when my Family Doc was on vacation and have found them to be a lot faster and cheaper than the ER.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #10 June 24, 2009 Hurt my knee.Went to the ER because my wife made me...Got seen in "Fast Track"..not really that fastExam,3 xray's,crutches and an knee immobilzer=$5,021.00 Exp=priceless -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrightskyguy 1 #11 June 24, 2009 QuotePeople block ERs with 'not feeling good'? - Jeeze no wonder they charge you ... ER is for EMERGENCIES. ***I Must agree, far too many people use the emergency room as their primary health care. Alot of those do it because they cannot refuse to treat you. John Wright World's most beloved skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiverbry 0 #12 June 24, 2009 Go ahead..start something..go ahead..(nudge,poke..) Just bored and a trouble makerBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #13 June 24, 2009 Yes, you areBut I think that Rookie120 is correct ..... in this. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiverbry 0 #14 June 24, 2009 Well at least I am true to thy selfNow let's get this a going...nudge..nudge.. Bry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites OlympiaStoica 0 #15 June 24, 2009 QuoteQuote I started seeing stuff I knew wasn't there Where can I buy some of this "flu" you speak of?.... Trust me ... you don't want 105 fever - no fun at all. When your body (and your brain) reaches that temperature, you start hallucinating. O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiverbry 0 #16 June 24, 2009 Free hallucinations!!!!What a dealBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NealFitz 0 #17 June 24, 2009 thank god we have the NHS shropshire Dudeist Skydiver #170 You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need one to skydive again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #18 June 24, 2009 Aint that the truthBut I'd still call a Dr and not go to Casualty if I felt poorly. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiver30960 0 #19 June 24, 2009 For everyone who said they had been "sick for days" or "trying to sleep it off" before going to the ER, next time call your PCP (Primary Care Physician, i.e. your family doc). Your copay would have been much lower (what, maybe 20-50 bucks) and the care you received would have been the same. Unless you are dead or dying, always start with your PCP. Worst case scenario: they refer you to someone else. For issues like the tweaked knee, think about an urgent care facility. They'll get you the radiology exams you need to see if it's a bone or soft tissue issue, and refer you appropriately. Again: much cheaper than the ER. Average-Joe-Americans (even those with insurance) who have the wherewithal to pay their medical bills need to save the ER for situations where you're so sick or hurt that you honestly don't care how much it's going to cost, because it's going to cost a lot, 'nuff said. Our ERs are swamped by people who either cannot or will not pay their bills; they don't care, they're used to the gov't paying their bills. They go there because of the number of docs that don't accept Medicare/Medicaid. Also, for them, it's faster. Why make an appointment for three weeks down the road to see the one doc in your area that takes Medicaid when you can go to the ER today, and the price is essentially the same? The system is simply broken, until it gets fixed (and I really don't see that ever happening) this is the way it's going to be. Again, the moral of the story: CALL YOUR PCP. S/he knows you best. Elvisio "minion of the hospital system" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Thanatos340 1 #20 June 24, 2009 Quote I had to go to the ER about 3 weeks ago due to feeling like crap for close to a week and being about 3h away from my University's health center. You went to an ER because you had been feeling bad for close to a week???That is the real problem with our health care system. Do you know what the "E" stands for in ER?? Next time look for an Urgent Care Place (Doc in Box). They are much more reasonable and practical for non-critical or life threatening medical problems. You will not have as long to wait (Usually see a doc a few minutes after the paper work is done), Much lower costs and in my experience.. Better care. People that clog up Emergency Rooms for Non-Emergencies SHOULD be charged an Arm and a Leg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites OlympiaStoica 0 #21 June 24, 2009 QuoteFor everyone who said they had been "sick for days" or "trying to sleep it off" before going to the ER, next time call your PCP (Primary Care Physician, i.e. your family doc). True, that would be the correct course of action in most cases. However at 2am on a Saturday morning (as it was my case) my PCP won't take my calls. I knew I most likely have the Flu and I tried to manage it on my own (rest, fluids, keep fever down with medication). I only sought ER help with my over the counter medicine was not working on my fever anymore and it got really, really high (104.6 when I got in the car and headed to the hospital). O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LisaH 0 #22 June 24, 2009 When I broke my foot a few weeks ago, I purposely waited to go to the ER late at night to avoid people just going in because they didn't feel good. I was in and out in less than 2 hours. As far as the bill, yikes! ER bill, radiology bill, Dr. bill, cast, crutches, etc. So far a total of almost $4,000. That doesn't include the foot specialist for aftercare. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #23 June 24, 2009 A broken bone is a perfectly valid reason for going to ER/Casualty and you should have been triaged above the time wasters. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Thanatos340 1 #24 June 24, 2009 Broken Bones, Severe Cuts Requiring Stitches and other such things are exactly what ER`s are for. Sinus Infections, Ear Infections, Flu Symptoms, Pulled muscles and other such Painful but non-critical conditions can all be treated at Urgent Care if your doctor is not available. No Waits, Better Care, Lower Costs. To those complaining about the ER bill, Look at what it costs to run the ER. Not just the Doctor that saw you. Administration, Janitorial Services, Staff and Nurses, Multi-Million Dollar equipment standing by "Incase you need it". Lawyers and malpractice costs that are through the roof, Security personal and a bunch of other things. All of these things have to paid for. I have worked on some fundraisers for Childrens Hospital in Atlanta. They run completely off donations and it costs a total of One Million Dollars per Day to operate that hospital ($365 Million per year). The Hospital that runs the ER you went to probably has similar costs. That is why these bills are so high. It is not just the 20 Minutes of doctors time that you are paying for. It is the total cost of what it takes to make that doctor and all the support equipment and staff and overhead to make that doctor available to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kbordson 8 #25 June 24, 2009 Quote When I broke my foot a few weeks ago, I purposely waited to go to the ER late at night to avoid people just going in because they didn't feel good. I was in and out in less than 2 hours. As far as the bill, yikes! ER bill, radiology bill, Dr. bill, cast, crutches, etc. So far a total of almost $4,000. That doesn't include the foot specialist for aftercare. Lisa.... YOURS was honestly an acute onset severe problem. I told you to get it XRayed when you first called me that you thought you broke it. We also discussed more cost effect measures. But... with a broken bone, it would have been hard for someone with out insurance to have gone to the cheaper options. Cuz they don't HAVE to take you, but the ER does..... And as far as the bill.... you know what I think about that, so nuff said there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
skydiverbry 0 #12 June 24, 2009 Go ahead..start something..go ahead..(nudge,poke..) Just bored and a trouble makerBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #13 June 24, 2009 Yes, you areBut I think that Rookie120 is correct ..... in this. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #14 June 24, 2009 Well at least I am true to thy selfNow let's get this a going...nudge..nudge.. Bry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OlympiaStoica 0 #15 June 24, 2009 QuoteQuote I started seeing stuff I knew wasn't there Where can I buy some of this "flu" you speak of?.... Trust me ... you don't want 105 fever - no fun at all. When your body (and your brain) reaches that temperature, you start hallucinating. O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #16 June 24, 2009 Free hallucinations!!!!What a dealBry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NealFitz 0 #17 June 24, 2009 thank god we have the NHS shropshire Dudeist Skydiver #170 You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need one to skydive again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #18 June 24, 2009 Aint that the truthBut I'd still call a Dr and not go to Casualty if I felt poorly. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #19 June 24, 2009 For everyone who said they had been "sick for days" or "trying to sleep it off" before going to the ER, next time call your PCP (Primary Care Physician, i.e. your family doc). Your copay would have been much lower (what, maybe 20-50 bucks) and the care you received would have been the same. Unless you are dead or dying, always start with your PCP. Worst case scenario: they refer you to someone else. For issues like the tweaked knee, think about an urgent care facility. They'll get you the radiology exams you need to see if it's a bone or soft tissue issue, and refer you appropriately. Again: much cheaper than the ER. Average-Joe-Americans (even those with insurance) who have the wherewithal to pay their medical bills need to save the ER for situations where you're so sick or hurt that you honestly don't care how much it's going to cost, because it's going to cost a lot, 'nuff said. Our ERs are swamped by people who either cannot or will not pay their bills; they don't care, they're used to the gov't paying their bills. They go there because of the number of docs that don't accept Medicare/Medicaid. Also, for them, it's faster. Why make an appointment for three weeks down the road to see the one doc in your area that takes Medicaid when you can go to the ER today, and the price is essentially the same? The system is simply broken, until it gets fixed (and I really don't see that ever happening) this is the way it's going to be. Again, the moral of the story: CALL YOUR PCP. S/he knows you best. Elvisio "minion of the hospital system" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #20 June 24, 2009 Quote I had to go to the ER about 3 weeks ago due to feeling like crap for close to a week and being about 3h away from my University's health center. You went to an ER because you had been feeling bad for close to a week???That is the real problem with our health care system. Do you know what the "E" stands for in ER?? Next time look for an Urgent Care Place (Doc in Box). They are much more reasonable and practical for non-critical or life threatening medical problems. You will not have as long to wait (Usually see a doc a few minutes after the paper work is done), Much lower costs and in my experience.. Better care. People that clog up Emergency Rooms for Non-Emergencies SHOULD be charged an Arm and a Leg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OlympiaStoica 0 #21 June 24, 2009 QuoteFor everyone who said they had been "sick for days" or "trying to sleep it off" before going to the ER, next time call your PCP (Primary Care Physician, i.e. your family doc). True, that would be the correct course of action in most cases. However at 2am on a Saturday morning (as it was my case) my PCP won't take my calls. I knew I most likely have the Flu and I tried to manage it on my own (rest, fluids, keep fever down with medication). I only sought ER help with my over the counter medicine was not working on my fever anymore and it got really, really high (104.6 when I got in the car and headed to the hospital). O Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #22 June 24, 2009 When I broke my foot a few weeks ago, I purposely waited to go to the ER late at night to avoid people just going in because they didn't feel good. I was in and out in less than 2 hours. As far as the bill, yikes! ER bill, radiology bill, Dr. bill, cast, crutches, etc. So far a total of almost $4,000. That doesn't include the foot specialist for aftercare. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #23 June 24, 2009 A broken bone is a perfectly valid reason for going to ER/Casualty and you should have been triaged above the time wasters. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #24 June 24, 2009 Broken Bones, Severe Cuts Requiring Stitches and other such things are exactly what ER`s are for. Sinus Infections, Ear Infections, Flu Symptoms, Pulled muscles and other such Painful but non-critical conditions can all be treated at Urgent Care if your doctor is not available. No Waits, Better Care, Lower Costs. To those complaining about the ER bill, Look at what it costs to run the ER. Not just the Doctor that saw you. Administration, Janitorial Services, Staff and Nurses, Multi-Million Dollar equipment standing by "Incase you need it". Lawyers and malpractice costs that are through the roof, Security personal and a bunch of other things. All of these things have to paid for. I have worked on some fundraisers for Childrens Hospital in Atlanta. They run completely off donations and it costs a total of One Million Dollars per Day to operate that hospital ($365 Million per year). The Hospital that runs the ER you went to probably has similar costs. That is why these bills are so high. It is not just the 20 Minutes of doctors time that you are paying for. It is the total cost of what it takes to make that doctor and all the support equipment and staff and overhead to make that doctor available to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #25 June 24, 2009 Quote When I broke my foot a few weeks ago, I purposely waited to go to the ER late at night to avoid people just going in because they didn't feel good. I was in and out in less than 2 hours. As far as the bill, yikes! ER bill, radiology bill, Dr. bill, cast, crutches, etc. So far a total of almost $4,000. That doesn't include the foot specialist for aftercare. Lisa.... YOURS was honestly an acute onset severe problem. I told you to get it XRayed when you first called me that you thought you broke it. We also discussed more cost effect measures. But... with a broken bone, it would have been hard for someone with out insurance to have gone to the cheaper options. Cuz they don't HAVE to take you, but the ER does..... And as far as the bill.... you know what I think about that, so nuff said there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
