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LynneSin

(95,337 posts)

23. I just had a shocker from my ER visit last month

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 11:53 AM

Jul 2012

I was running a high fever for 2 days. Unfortunately this happened over the weekend and it wasn't until Saturday night my doctor finally said to go to the ER. Normally, I prefer going to the bigger hospital that is non-Catholic church affliated but my doctor said to just go to the other one because it's closer and they actually have a pretty good ER room that will get you checked out within 30 minutes. It's a few blocks from my home whereas the other one is about 2 miles away. I really don't have anything against catholic run hospitals other than the fact that they won't give out emergency contraceptive to anyone who is raped, but since that was not an issue I figured I'd head over to it.

Taxi driver took me to the hospital but I actually walked home since it was really just a few blocks from my house (and I was feeling better).

Turns out it was an out-of-network hospital. I had been to this one before but my insurance company changed and well let's face it - when you've had over a day of fever over 101, you really don't think about the lil details like if the hospital 3 blocks from my home is in or out of network.

So basically I'm going to have to pay for all but 4% of the bill. I did call the insurance company and I got a very helpful person who is going to see if they will cover it as inhouse since I was sick at the time I need to go to the ER and was directed to go to the closet hospital.

Just NOT what I needed today.

I honestly cannot imagine what it would be like if I had no insurance whatsoever.

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My Hospital Bill was $119,000 for 5 days [View all] RockaFowler Jul 2012 OP

It is all a scam. Nothing but a scam and they even admit it is a scam. CBGLuthier Jul 2012 #1

My girlfriend without insurance is going through this right now RockaFowler Jul 2012 #3

My wife just spent 3 weeks in the hospital DJ13 Jul 2012 #17

It's all monopoly money to them. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #27

prices seem to be just made up, pulled out of thin air Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #68

You can negotiate with the Smilo Jul 2012 #73

If you examine it logically, that's really very small comfort what you're saying. Selatius Jul 2012 #119

But this is all we have at the moment..... Smilo Jul 2012 #123

I hope she understands her rights. girl gone mad Jul 2012 #99

Apparently the uninsured are supposed to stiff the hospital. Sirveri Jul 2012 #118

Yes a scam along with senior housing/Assisted and Nursing homes. glinda Jul 2012 #10

Those $5 Q-Tips really add up. lpbk2713 Jul 2012 #2

$5 each?? RockaFowler Jul 2012 #4

Not to mention the $10 aspirin. lpbk2713 Jul 2012 #6

Some how this reminds me of Scrushy and Siegelman. During the run up to imprisoning those two, Mr. midnight Jul 2012 #78

Here's one answer to one of your questions - enlightenment Jul 2012 #5

Thanks for this RockaFowler Jul 2012 #7

95% of uninsured hospital bills are never paid. Ms. Toad Jul 2012 #47

here is his next article on How to avoid getting gouged by hospital bills dixiegrrrrl Jul 2012 #65

Wrong post Monk06 Jul 2012 #111

These charges are outrages, my son had a sesiar..stayed in the er for an hour and was charge 2100usd uponit7771 Jul 2012 #8

When my wife had abdominal surgery NickB79 Jul 2012 #9

Maybe they did and ultrasound for a patient that didn't have insurance hughee99 Jul 2012 #18

Oohh, I never thought of that! NickB79 Jul 2012 #19

That's all fine and good until a guy gets a pap smear listed in his medical history. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #38

Not a guy - but my (female) spouse Ms. Toad Jul 2012 #50

Maybe they used a tricorder Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #88

Good thought - but don't you at least have to be close to the facility? n/t Ms. Toad Jul 2012 #96

Musta beamed her in while she was asleep. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #97

I was charged $325 for an ultra sound in a doctor's office that never happened... just 1monster Jul 2012 #41

did you tell your insurance company about that? dixiegrrrrl Jul 2012 #51

Sad that this is all too common... Phentex Jul 2012 #55

Only 1% of all coverage has a lifetime limit of less than $1 million leveymg Jul 2012 #11

For many that negotiation is called bankruptcy. SoutherDem Jul 2012 #12

The fraud provisions are still allowed under the ACA... girl gone mad Jul 2012 #100

I thought it had to be proven to be real fraud SoutherDem Jul 2012 #102

when they know you have insurance, the billed amount is largely funny money. unblock Jul 2012 #13

Everybody knew all along that this is the problem. woo me with science Jul 2012 #14

+1 The fucked up thing is progressoid Jul 2012 #16

Got three words for you. Insurance Finance Reform. Autumn Jul 2012 #30

Plus, some want us to be unthinking cheerleaders for insurance reform with the mandate instead of AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2012 #35

+1 n/t area51 Jul 2012 #114

Funny you mention this - Hell Hath No Fury Jul 2012 #15

Mine was laproscopic, too RockaFowler Jul 2012 #26

That's not unusal Sgent Jul 2012 #64

Don't pay retail - in anything AngryAmish Jul 2012 #20

You know that at $11,000.00 Rainforestgoddess Jul 2012 #21

Any other company that would submit a fraudulent bill Dustlawyer Jul 2012 #22

I just had a shocker from my ER visit last month LynneSin Jul 2012 #23

How about when you are lying on the operating table? Phentex Jul 2012 #40

This whole 'in-network/out-of-network' stuff is bullshit LynneSin Jul 2012 #43

We never get a hospital or doctor bill up here riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #24

You know I was in Canada for the first time a few years ago.... LynneSin Jul 2012 #25

I think in Ontario where I am, the tax is 13 percent on things like sunglasses riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #44

Watch out - freepers want to move to Canada LynneSin Jul 2012 #45

I read that too.. riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #52

Never happen rationalcalgarian Jul 2012 #93

Like the list Maynar Jul 2012 #110

Oh... right rationalcalgarian Jul 2012 #117

Does Canada now exempt "junk food" from the GST? Art_from_Ark Jul 2012 #122

Another of our Canadian DUers says Obamas reform was a victory for us. Autumn Jul 2012 #33

Perhaps you will riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #48

I know I can do an Internet search, but want to ask, is immigration to Canada an easy thing to do? RickFromMN Jul 2012 #95

I googled. riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #108

What is crazy is you get a bill like that showing the system is a mess and you praise the ACA. dkf Jul 2012 #28

Did you even read the post? But for the ACA she'd be bankrupt. nt SunSeeker Jul 2012 #34

It's not a long term solution. Those outrageous numbers dkf Jul 2012 #106

fees /charges for all doctors/hospitals should be posted on the internet nt msongs Jul 2012 #29

How come your insurance was able to get a 1/10 discount? ryan_cats Jul 2012 #31

I wonder that, too RockaFowler Jul 2012 #46

Cash customers have an interesting situation.... radhika Jul 2012 #57

are you the person who posted this on DU several weeks ago? renate Jul 2012 #107

Thanks for the post. And keep spreading the word about Obamacares! nt SunSeeker Jul 2012 #32

... yes, I like that added-S to the word... certainly fits tomm2thumbs Jul 2012 #83

I love it myself RockaFowler Jul 2012 #84

I'll do it as well -- as it will annoy my entire family. :)))) tomm2thumbs Aug 2012 #124

I was thinking about that the other day ecstatic Jul 2012 #36

Did both of your gallbladders explode? Dreamer Tatum Jul 2012 #37

My wife is scheduled for gallbladder surgery in two months DJ13 Jul 2012 #39

Ouch!! RockaFowler Jul 2012 #42

Gallbladders can be diseased from gallstones and infection. Infection can cause the gallbladder Tess49 Jul 2012 #53

I'm glad your surgery went well - Ms. Toad Jul 2012 #61

almost as ridiculous as five people within the same circle of acquaintances all having the same surg LanternWaste Jul 2012 #62

I believe every word of it. Rozlee Jul 2012 #66

My wife had hers taken out. Three days in hospital. progressoid Jul 2012 #72

My cousin had to stay in for 5 days after hers gollygee Jul 2012 #75

Thank you for your diagnosis, Dr. Internet NickB79 Jul 2012 #90

I think I will need to have that surgery soon graywarrior Jul 2012 #49

My wife littlebit Jul 2012 #54

I am so sorry for your loss, but am glad you don't have to cope with that bill! *hugs* GreenPartyVoter Jul 2012 #101

My 6 hours in the ER back in May was $7K+ hobbit709 Jul 2012 #56

Our care to date for this year: Ms. Toad Jul 2012 #58

The Battle for Healthcare Has Just Begun riverbendviewgal Jul 2012 #59

I posted it on Facebook, too RockaFowler Jul 2012 #60

Between Rush and Fox, my conservative friends and family appear to be hypnotized. juajen Jul 2012 #85

the medical industrial complex. pansypoo53219 Jul 2012 #63

Just got a bill for $65,500 for three days nichomachus Jul 2012 #67

yep. major discount. Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #70

outpatient surgery last year, 3 hours in hospital, total bill was $20K Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #69

Here is a contrast madokie Jul 2012 #71

I feel ya! RedStateLiberal Jul 2012 #74

Last month I was in the hospital from 4:00 p.m. until asjr Jul 2012 #76

$74,000 for one night Auggie Jul 2012 #77

Two thousand dollars for two hours in an emergency room, woo me with science Jul 2012 #89

Dude, ya gotta stay away from the mini-bar. tclambert Jul 2012 #79

That's what my husband said RockaFowler Jul 2012 #80

My wife was on Dilaudid in the hospital DJ13 Jul 2012 #86

A couple of things evilhime Jul 2012 #81

almost the same for my parents siouxsiecreamcheese Jul 2012 #82

Can we get this to go viral? garthranzz Jul 2012 #87

$66,000 for pacemaker LynnTTT Jul 2012 #91

My boss is notorious for not paying Smilo Jul 2012 #92

I had a similar BS billing when I had my heart attack in Dallas last year DFW Jul 2012 #94

Innocent people will go to jail.... ThatsMyBarack Jul 2012 #98

hospitals base their rates on what medicare will pay madrchsod Jul 2012 #103

The issue is not all of ObamaCare. It's one tiny segment thereof - the individual mandate. Zalatix Jul 2012 #104

Same thing when I had my appendix out. Bill was monstrous, Insurance paid a fraction harun Jul 2012 #105

ObamaCares. I like it. First time I've heard that one. n/t wakemewhenitsover Jul 2012 #109

I really feel sorry for Americans what the have to pay to get health insurance. From another thread. Monk06 Jul 2012 #112

A friend just got his whole gallbladder operation covered at a FANCY university hospital free flamingdem Jul 2012 #113

It would be interesting to see just how that money is distributed once paid. gtar100 Jul 2012 #115

I spent a few hours in the emergency room last month due to kidney stones rl6214 Jul 2012 #116

Actually, that doesn't seem that high... joeybee12 Jul 2012 #120

$900 for a 20-minute chat with a doctor nichomachus Jul 2012 #121