I took my granddaughter to the doctor.....$4,184 bill - ear infection

[LeftInTX]

A few weeks ago, I took my 18 mo granddaughter to the doctor. Her mom couldn't be there. I got a letter from her mom allowing me to act on her behalf.

The doctor said she needed to do some labs, so she sent us to the hospital next door. I didn't like the idea, but neither did my daughter in law. But I went along with it because I didn't want to appear like I was going Against Medical Advice. (I'm not the mom, but her surrogate)

They catheterized her to check for a UTI. They drew some blood and performed a nasal swab. They told me it would be $314.

This weekend, I got a bill addressed to me for $4,000....$3,596 for Bacteriology/Microbiology.

I am so mad......

[VMA131Marine]

1. Insanity!

Hospitals should be required to tell you up front and in writing how much things like lab tests will cost. It's not like they don't know. I hope at least some was covered by insurance.

[LeftInTX]

5. They had us pay $318 at the time of service.

They said that is what it cost.

Then I get this whopper bill.

[csziggy]

11. The $318 went to the hospital - the other $4000 goes to the lab

Whose rates are probably inflated unless an insurance company is paying for it. Those who pay out of pocket get to pay an unnegotiated price.

[elleng]

2. Let insurer make 'sanity' of it.

Hope she's OK.

[LeftInTX]

3. This was a few weeks ago

My granddaughter is fine.

It was a simple ear infection.

[elleng]

6. Glad she's fine.

Does anyone understand why they put her through so many tests? My daughter got ear infections whenever she got a cold, ahd the process was simple.

[LeftInTX]

7. She had a UTI in Oct 2017

Still it doesn't make sense that they did the test and that it cost so much.

This is more than an MRI or CAT Scan.

[hlthe2b]

4. Whether it is for your own care or your pets, get used to both stating and requiring signature

of those seeing you that you 1. must pre-approve every test and procedure; and 2. you must pre-approve every charge. You should have a form pre-printed to take with you if you need something to refer to. While I think most veterinarians are quite amenable to this and you could probably just verbally ask for them to do so, I'd not trust the human health care system, especially an ER or "doc in the box" clinic.

Seriously... you pull out that form and require THEM to initial/sign, they WILL drop the patronizing/condescending/exploitative attitude towards you.

Sadly, this is necessary in our "best in the world" health care system. (NOT)

[RKP5637]

8. One of my friends needed ONE valium for a procedure. The drugstore charged $12 for

one pill ONE pill with insurance. They said the ins company would not cover that kind of medication. WTF. This country is so fucked up it's beyond belief.

[democratisphere]

9. Don't you just love our America Criminal Enterprise Healthcare System?

The Docsters are no better than the Banksters!

[MarcA]

12. Send your U.S. Rep a copy of the bill along with a letter demanding

they pay for it. You have to pay for their full medical coverage,
so they should pay for yours. Send copies to local media. If the
many thousands (millions?) who are in a similar situation did this
(rather than begging GoFundMe) a movement could be started.

[LeftInTX]

13. Thanks..will send copies to my state reps

Also JCAH...(The agency that accredits hospitals)

[MarcA]

14. Your welcome. You may have to pay but fight it.

This is just one idea to bring it to the public's attention. I don't
know what med benefits your state reps receive but letting them
hear it is good too. If only more would take such actions.

[LeftInTX]

17. So I go to the facility today

There is no administrator on site. All billing is done 300 miles away...No physical address for the billing, just a PO Box.

They really make this difficult.

[MarcA]

18. Is there a separate phone number for the billing site?

Is there a state agency where you can get more info? Would
suggest contacting an attorney but they can cost $$$. Please
keep DU informed on this, as its a good way to communicate
effective info to a wider audience.

[LeftInTX]

19. Yes, there is an 800# and an 877#

I have to get my daughter in law involved anyway.

They won't give me CPT codes cuz I'm not the guardian, despite the fact that I'm the "responsible party" for the bill.

I went to the facility today just to get the CPT codes to determine the customary and usual billing amounts....

If I have an address, I can file a case in small claims court. I'm pretty sure my state rep can determine their address.

[Demovictory9]

15. crazy!!!

[raven mad]

16. I spent 3 days in the hospital -

and got a bill, over and above insurance, for $23,491.00.............

[area51]

20. We need

single-payer healthcare now.

[LeftInTX]

21. A friend of my mine suggested I show the bill to a political candidate

Actually he is a former congressman, who is running for State Senate. He's gonna post the bill on twitter and tag the facility!!!!!