Surgery at home Graphic warning

[Marr]

109. Have you tried talking the bill down yet?

If you haven't, I'd definitely recommend it. Hospitals regularly bloat the living shit out of their bills, as they appear to have done in your case.

First, look up the standard market rate for the treatment you were provided here:

http://frugalliving.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=frugalliving&cdn=money&tm=49&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//healthcarebluebook.com/page_Default.aspx

Having so armed yourself, call the hospital's billing department. Tell them flatly that you just do not have the ability to pay this bill but would like to negotiate a reduction. If they won't do it, ask for their supervisor. And that supervisor's supervisor, if they won't do it, and so on.

I'd be very interested to know what the standard charge is for that treatment you received, btw. That is just an insultingly high bill.