Re: Emergency room costs

In article
<d24d851a-520f-4715-b484-12e74de08b31@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Richard Fangnail <richardfangnail@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I had to go to an ER because of a bad skin rash. I talked to a doctor
and he gave me an RX which helped. It turned out to be shingles.

The bill was about $750, and my insurance would only pay about $200.
Is that what you'd usually expect?

It varies widely. Back in February, I felt a weird sensation in my heart
area so I went to the ER. The hospital where I went is widely regarded
as one of the best in the United States for ER treatment, amongst other
things.

After only a minute or two of presenting myself there, I was laying in
one of the treatment rooms with an IV and a bunch of monitor probes on
me receiving an EKG. I then got full chest x-rays, and then I was moved
to another room where I was monitored for at least 7 hours. I was in the
room alone, except for the medical staff and a television.

I arrived at the ER around 3:00pm and I didn't leave until after
midnight. A few weeks later, I received a bill for $1,100, all of which
was paid by my insurance. My out of pocket cost was zero.

On the other hand, two years ago, I was mugged only three blocks from
another hospital, also widely regarded for its trauma center. The police
officer who handled my case at the scene of the mugging suggested I go
to the ER to be checked over. I had a small gash in my face and it was
bleeding profusely. That three block ambulance ride was $500! Months
went by when I received a $300 check from my insurance provider BUT
there was nothing in the envelop with the check to explain what it was
for or why it was sent. I didn't receive a bill for the ambulance until
at least two months after that check arrived and the bill was marked as
a late payment ... for a bill I never received before.

I was told it was late because my insurer refused to pay it. After
several calls back and forth between the insurance company and the
ambulance company, I learned that the check I received was intended to
be paid to the insurance company, but it was $200 short. Finally, I paid
the insurance company the $500 they wanted and my insurance company sent
me a check for another $200, but this consumed several hours of my time
trying to straighten it out and I am sure it wasted a good deal of time
with the ambulance company's billing department and my insurance
company's accounts payable department.

And the cost of my contribution to my employer's group medical policy
went up by 11% this year, well in excess of the rate of inflation.

Bottom line: health care in the United States is screwed up!
.

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