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
Friday, October 28, 2005
What I plan to be for Halloween
For Halloween I plan to be a photon torpedo. I will be arriving at the hospital at 5:00, will be injected with contrast dye, and will be loaded into the torpedo bay where they do MRI scans.
I had an MRI last Wednesday, and the report showed some possible "activity of the L4 and L5; results inconclusive." They recommended a repeat, this time with contrasting dye.
At least this time I will know to park by the West entrance. Last time I was unaware that they wanted me to sign in at the west lobby, so I walked in the main entrance and had to negotiate several very long hallways. Then they made me walk down several more long hallways to get to Radiology. Then the MRI guy came and got me, and led me down a bunch of other corridors, until we ended up in what looked like a loading dock (complete with a hydraulic lift), and a big industrial door which slides up and down and looked like the back of an 18 wheel semi. I swear to god for a moment I thought I was being abducted.
"They're going to load me onto a truck, take me to Iowa, and perform heinous medical experiments!" Yes, I have probably seen too many episodes of X-Files. (When I related this story to a colleague, I had gotten as far as mentioning the loading dock area, when she blurted out, "You're just like Scully! You're going to end up on a rail car with probes sticking out of you!" I'm not the only one.)
November 3 I will be having my second-ever bone scan. This time the radioactive isotope will cause a mutation granting me super powers; I'm certain of it. I deserve to have super powers. I will try to use them for good and not for evil, although I'm really hoping I gain the ability to electrocute people.
I had an MRI last Wednesday, and the report showed some possible "activity of the L4 and L5; results inconclusive." They recommended a repeat, this time with contrasting dye.
At least this time I will know to park by the West entrance. Last time I was unaware that they wanted me to sign in at the west lobby, so I walked in the main entrance and had to negotiate several very long hallways. Then they made me walk down several more long hallways to get to Radiology. Then the MRI guy came and got me, and led me down a bunch of other corridors, until we ended up in what looked like a loading dock (complete with a hydraulic lift), and a big industrial door which slides up and down and looked like the back of an 18 wheel semi. I swear to god for a moment I thought I was being abducted.
"They're going to load me onto a truck, take me to Iowa, and perform heinous medical experiments!" Yes, I have probably seen too many episodes of X-Files. (When I related this story to a colleague, I had gotten as far as mentioning the loading dock area, when she blurted out, "You're just like Scully! You're going to end up on a rail car with probes sticking out of you!" I'm not the only one.)
November 3 I will be having my second-ever bone scan. This time the radioactive isotope will cause a mutation granting me super powers; I'm certain of it. I deserve to have super powers. I will try to use them for good and not for evil, although I'm really hoping I gain the ability to electrocute people.
Labels: bone scan, Halloween, hospital, MRI, star trek, superpowers, X-Files
