Wifes Recent Accident & Subsequent Hospital Bill

**Scoby** · 02-21-12, 10:45

A few weeks ago my wife was on the way to work one morning, hit a patch of ice on an overpass and lost control of her Explorer. She went off the far side of the overpass and rolled the car down a 30 foot embankment.

A good friend of mine and an off-duty fireman just happened to be going by and were the first to reach her. EMS was there inside of five minutes according to my bud. I was at the office when he called me and I was there within 15 minutes of the accident. EMS was bringing her up the hill on a stretcher when I got there.

She had some minor cuts and abrasions, glass all over her and that shocked look in her eyes. She insisted that she was okay and did not want EMS to transport her to the ER. After seeing what happened to her and the completely destroyed car, I couldn't believe she wasn't hurt in some way and I insisted that she go.

Arrive at the hospital ER. ER doctor looks her over, nurse helps her get most of the glass off and out of her hair, gives her half a sponge bath with soap and water, apply ointment and a couple of small bandages. Nothing serious. No x-rays, MRIs...none of that, as thankfully she didn't need it and she's okay. We were there an hour. Maybe.

My wife had no health insurance. (Another story full of female drama that gives me a headache to think about)

I get a bill from the county EMS....$538.00. No problem. Those guys were super.
I get a separate bill from the ER doctor.....$245.00. No problem with that.
Then I get the bill from the hospital......$5,008.00 which they stated already allowed for a deduction of over $3,800.00 for being uninsured.

WHAT!! WHAT THE HELL!!

How? How in the name of all that is holy does some soap, water, ointment, small bandages and an hour of a nurses time cost that damn much? Don’t get me wrong, they gave great care in a great facility but, this is completely absurd! Surely all the bums that don’t pay their bills haven’t caused medical costs to escalate to this height.

Anybody have any insight on this that may calm me down before I crawl a hospital administrator’s ass? Who, I am aware, may not deserve it but…..someone is going to get an earful on this.

**Dirk Williams** · 02-21-12, 11:10

It's an easy check list. You get to pay for those who can't pay. Pretty much every Hosital out there by law has to treat anybody who shows up, indigent or not.

It's a great system for the dopers, the illegals and anybody who just refuses to pay.

It's easier to come after those of us who work or have a steady income, then to waste time and money going after those who don't.

Top down, bottom up, inside out.

Good luck,
Dirk

.

**militarymoron** · 02-21-12, 11:21

maybe ask for an itemized bill from the hospital?
that blows. glad your wife wasn't more seriously injured.

**panzerr** · 02-21-12, 11:21

$5,008.00 for what amounts be a basic check-up with no imaging?

You are getting robbed.

I bet your local paper would love to hear that story.

**Reagans Rascals** · 02-21-12, 11:24

Fight it. Plain and Simple. Refuse to pay for that. Eventually they will present you with the actual bill of probably <$400. They will try to get as much from you as they can, just keep fighting it and eventually they will attempt to settle it.

Ask for an itemized list of all charges. And dispute the costs.

Your circumstance is odd though, for me personally the ambulance has usually been the most obscene, 3-4k for a 15 minute unnecessary ride.

A friend of mine was rear ended by an illegal immigrant going about 45. His 82 Suburban was fine, save for a bent tow hitch, the illegals were all banged up. EMS asked him if he wanted treatment, he said "NO"... they left... and promptly 3 days later he received a bill in the mail from EMS for $765 for their responding to the scene, regardless of treatment.

Needless to say... we burned it that night and had a rousing good laugh.

In my experience, you can't squeeze blood from a turnip... at least not as of today.

shit... I had brain surgery in '08... with a 5 day hospital stay.... I have partial insurance, where I am still responsible for 25% after I pay $3000 towards the cap for the year.... In total I paid less than $6000....

ask them to put on some lipstick next time... cause you like to get kissed before you get ****ed...

**Grizzly16** · 02-21-12, 11:27

Originally Posted by militarymoron

maybe ask for an itemized bill from the hospital?
that blows. glad your wife wasn't more seriously injured.

This. And once you get it start working through things you think are crazy and mark them off. Once you have a reasonable looking bill to you call the collections department at the hospital. Offer to pay in cash (if you can) the parts that make sense if they write off the rest. Many times they will work with people willing to pay the bill. Growing up with out insurance I saw mom and dad do this more than once.

**5pins** · 02-21-12, 11:30

Did they send you an itemized list for the charges? If not that is the first thing I would ask for. Make sure they did anything that is listed. You may be able to negotiate the price down to a reasonable level. Try to keep all correspondence in writing. The problem with going to the hospital is that no one gets to see the prices up front.

**5pins** · 02-21-12, 11:32

BTW, did you have car insurance?

**Scoby** · 02-21-12, 11:43

Originally Posted by militarymoron

maybe ask for an itemized bill from the hospital?
that blows. glad your wife wasn't more seriously injured.

Yes, I will be asking for an itemized accounting. Can't wait to see what that will look like.

$750.00 for some liquid soap maybe.

Yes she is okay, thanks. It could have been tragic.