THE CHARGE AT *ER* for Louie!!!!U wont believe this

[barbaranoela]

My mouth was hanging open----
When Louie was brought into ER for the TIA incident ---the bill we got was for~~~~ $9,710.01!!!!!
This included--I am assuming--the MRI--Cardiogram--Blood work!! Which to me doesnt add up to this amount---and then after 2 hours was sent HOME!!!!


This tellls U how they screw the public!!!-and these poor peoples that DONT have coverage!!!!
The funniest account is---
NOT COVERED by Medicare was $8,883-25 amount allowed was $826.76 of which my secondary allowed $252.55 to Good Samaritan Hospital!!!!!

I have said before----thank goodness we have terrific coverage and thats also due to the fact that while Louie worked---$$$$ were always taken outta these guys checks for medical!!!!

I think I shall frame this bill----
Am still sitting here looking @ this claim----

Well with all the BS going on here---this gave me a good laugh!!!

Have a good weekend all--
Luve Barbara

[tex]

Morning Mrs. Columbo,

All I can say is Damn!

I think those guys have set a new record for ludicrous billing. That's enough to cause another TIA, by itself. If they weren't wearing masks when they wrote up that bill, they certainly should have been - they got away with more than most bank robbers, and probably didn't work any harder than most bank robbers.

Luv,
Galahad

[barbaranoela]

Galahad----I wanted to get on the phone--call the billing and ask---*did U OPERATE on Louie and we didnt know???!!*

Isnt this outrageous~~~~
And we havent gotten a bill for the ambulance *eye-tha*

Well, I guess if Good Sam could get what they asked for---*why not try*

luve Columbo

[Momster]

That's outrageous.

Love - Momster

[starfire]

I know the billing amount is outrageous. I totally agree.

However, since you mentioned that you have excellent coverage, I am assuming (dangerous to do that, I know) that you will have no "out of pocket" expense so the hospital actually received 1,079.31.

In order to get that much (when dealing with medicare) they have to inflate the original billing as much as possible. At least that's my opinion, which isn't worth very much.

Love, Shirley

[Tessa]

Wauwwww!, Barbara


I am glad we do not have to pay everytime we go to the doc, to the hospital, physician, etc.


Take care,
Love,
Tessa

[CAMary]

Hi Barbara-

It's crazy, isn't it?? We were billed $4900 last spring when my 8 yo had pneumonia - a 5 min Dr visit (after HOURS of waiting!) and a chest x-ray - $4900

But it's a vicious cycle which, IMO will only be cured by overhauling our health system. They *have* to overcharge b/c of people who show up to ERs who are low-income/uninsured. They *must* treat them even though they will likely never see a dime from these patients. The people who lose are those who pay cash - the rest of us get that "negotiated discount" and the insurance company pays about 10-20% of the actual bill. A big thing in the news recently is a hospital in the area is *closing* it's ER due to bankruptcy - it can't pay it's bills and continue to operate....everyone is up in arms b/c the people of that region will no longer have an ER, but when (they claim) they only get reimbursed about 15% of their expenses - logically, it can't continue!

Oh and the ambulance bill - don't even get me started! It took us 2 years to settle w/our ins. when Dan was born and they had to transfer him to the local Children's Hospital - a 34 mile ride cost over 2K!! And our insurance wouldn't pay since we didn't use a "preferred provider" - since when do you get to "choose" an ambulance service, anyways!?! Just be prepared for another outrageous bill!!!!!

This stuff makes me crazy!

Mary

[annie oakley]

I do not even have words for that one, wow! Thank goodness you have good Coverage. Love Oma

[JJ]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr...JJ

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Barbara,

The insurance sytem has spun out of control and it is just getting worse. Mary, my ambulance bill last year for 1/4 mile from Doctor's office to hospital was $980. Nuts.

Frame the bill barbara and I am thrilled to have coverage that helps.

Love, Maggie

P.S. - Can you send me your AZ address.

[Peggy]

Unbelievable! I thank my lucky stars every day for the medical coverage I have. I honestly don't know how anyone without coverage can get medical, prescriptions, or dental work!

Hugs
Peg