Monday, April 17, 2006
Unwelcome surprise: how my hospital bill nearly put me in the hospital
My insurance company sends me periodic statements when they get billed for service by hospitals, physicians, medical professionals, et al. indicating how much money they asked for, how much they actually got, and how much I might owe.
Usually they get far less than they ask for but they seem to be ok with that.
If I ever do have to pay anything, it's usually either a $15 copay or a $30 copay for something I didn't get a referral for. I also once had a statement saying I owed $50, and that turns out to be the amount I owe for ER service if I don't manage to get a referral in the middle of an emergency. I went to the ER the day after I broke my hip and they didn't actually bill me that day, so I got a statement from M-Care telling me that I owed $50. I didn't argue; it's printed on my M-Care card.
This is why when I got a bill from the hospital for $2545.80, I nearly had a coronary, which would have required paying another $50 for an emergency visit to the ER. I got very depressed about this because I was anticipating a nice tax refund from the IRS, and am hoping to buy a new car soon because we have two very unreliable vehicles, and it's time to get something that doesn't make funny noises that make you wonder "Did I ever hear that noise before? Is that normal? Will I be able to afford the next repair bill on this thing?"
$2545.80. It came on Friday and informed me I had fourteen days to pay in full, or it would go to a collection agency, so naturally I was unable to do anything about it and had to worry all weekend.
This morning I called the hospital, and they weren't really able to tell me what the payment was for. So after physical therapy (I got treated once more with electrodes to the butt...my superpowers are going to manifest this time for sure) today I called the insurance company. After being put on hold for several minutes, the lady's conclusion was that it looked like a filing error and she said she would call me back if she found out otherwise.
I hope the phone doesn't ring soon.
Usually they get far less than they ask for but they seem to be ok with that.
If I ever do have to pay anything, it's usually either a $15 copay or a $30 copay for something I didn't get a referral for. I also once had a statement saying I owed $50, and that turns out to be the amount I owe for ER service if I don't manage to get a referral in the middle of an emergency. I went to the ER the day after I broke my hip and they didn't actually bill me that day, so I got a statement from M-Care telling me that I owed $50. I didn't argue; it's printed on my M-Care card.
This is why when I got a bill from the hospital for $2545.80, I nearly had a coronary, which would have required paying another $50 for an emergency visit to the ER. I got very depressed about this because I was anticipating a nice tax refund from the IRS, and am hoping to buy a new car soon because we have two very unreliable vehicles, and it's time to get something that doesn't make funny noises that make you wonder "Did I ever hear that noise before? Is that normal? Will I be able to afford the next repair bill on this thing?"
$2545.80. It came on Friday and informed me I had fourteen days to pay in full, or it would go to a collection agency, so naturally I was unable to do anything about it and had to worry all weekend.
This morning I called the hospital, and they weren't really able to tell me what the payment was for. So after physical therapy (I got treated once more with electrodes to the butt...my superpowers are going to manifest this time for sure) today I called the insurance company. After being put on hold for several minutes, the lady's conclusion was that it looked like a filing error and she said she would call me back if she found out otherwise.
I hope the phone doesn't ring soon.
Labels: hip, hospital, insurance, physical therapy, superpowers
Comments:
Congrats on the new car! hope you get the hospital bill worked out. At least now you can drive to the hospital in style. Ask Brian sometime about some of the vehicles he has driven and their reliability.
Roger
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Roger
# posted by 
: 12:17 PM
: 12:17 PM 
