The High Cost of Being Hospitalized with Covid

[jmbar2]

In case anyone needs ANOTHER reason to get vaccinated...


Average bill for a complex hospitalization in Utah averaged $261,593 out-of-network or $92,307 with allowed insurance

The analysis by FAIR Health looked at billions of private health care claims from the organization’s COVID-19 Cost Tracker online tool.

“For complex and noncomplex hospitalizations for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, the West had the highest average allowed amounts and the South the lowest,” the study found.

The FAIR Health analysis was released on Dec. 15 and focuses on hospitalization bills from April 2020 to August 2021. The study shows the total charge amount, also called out-of-network, and the allowed amount, or in-network, that’s negotiated between the insurance plan and the hospital.

“For complex hospitalizations for COVID-19, the five states with the highest average allowed amounts were New Jersey, California, Alaska, Nevada and Arizona,” the study said. “New Jersey was highest, at $128,650.”

Nationwide, FAIR Health reports that a complex hospitalization averages $317,810 out-of-network or $98,139 with the allowed amount from in-network insurance.

Average hospital bills in Utah came in lower than those national totals. A complex hospitalization in Utah averaged $261,593 out-of-network or $92,307 with the allowed insurance amount.

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/12/30/22860545/covid-19-cost-of-hospital-hospitalization-utah-insurance-how-much-does-it-cost-if-i-get-sick-bill

[Alpeduez21]

1. The ACA has capped out of pocket expenses

No one with insurance has to pay the full $92.000. Just another reason why the ACA is freaking awesome

[dflprincess]

3. The ACA out of pocket maximums for 2022 are

$8,700 for an individual plan and $17,400 for a family plan for covered expenses. This does not include the cost of the premiums or anything the insurance company won't pay for.

Still an obscene amount of money and for many, especially those with a chronic condition, enough to lead to bankruptcy.

[Demobrat]

2. Who pays if the patient dies?

The spouse? If there is no spouse are other family members in the hook? I would think not. I hope not.

[SheltieLover]

4. Might depend upon who signs admission papers

Not sure.

[soryang]

5. the estate

if anything is left, would be my guess. my understanding is that in my state, the hospital will file suit and put liens on everything you own. caveat: this isn't legal advice.