lisamariewillbe 1 #26 May 9, 2006 Quoteyour insurance is only apparently covering about a third Which is typical, I actually have really crappy insurance as far as coverage.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #27 May 9, 2006 I would get my ER records if I were you. It's probably pretty plain in there what happened while you were in the ER. I bet the doc ordered those things you were charged for, but if the nurses didn't do them because you refused, I believe they would have documented that. The nurse's notes are the place to look. I would hope that the hospital would review those honestly for you, but it can't hurt to look yourself. It may take some time to GET the records once you request them, though. So be prepared to be patient, patient.... linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #28 May 9, 2006 Quotealong with several other mostly being pain medicine like Tylenol 3s and so fourth. So I guess that to make the insurance pay what doctors feel they are worth they make up bullshit to put on the bill? So you dont think that it would be screwing someone over if the doctors charge for things they did not preform? If its a mistake with billing then it will be discovered soon, but if it is not a mistake and they continue to charge these then they are screwing people over. Doctors are rarely the ones that do the coding for things like meds given. Medical billing typically takes care of that. Again, I don't know what meds you were or were not given or not given, so not going down that road. It is not about what docs 'think' we are worth. If my overhead on running a practice (rent, equipment, staff, meds, utilities, malpractice insurance, property insurance, etc) works out to $150/hr, how is it possible for me to afford to take $32 for that same hour? No, additional testing that was not done can not be billed, this is illegal. But be sure that you know exactly what was in the chart before jumping to conclusions and assuming that insurance fraud is being performed. You stated in your first post that you were a bit out of it at the time. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #29 May 9, 2006 Which is typical, I actually have really crappy insurance as far as coverage. Unfortunately, if you leave AMA, insurance usually won't cover any charges. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #30 May 9, 2006 Quote Hydrocodone Bitartrate 500 mg Vicodin PO oxycodone hydrochloride Macrobid hydroxyacetanilide Epinephrine Inj If they gave you all those pain meds in a few hours I don't see how you'd be conscious enough to walk out of the hospital... and Macrobid is for UTI's usually, so that's kinda odd. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #31 May 9, 2006 You could ask them to confirm your identity -- could it be that they have mixed up 2 sets of records. If you suggest that, it might give them a face-saving way to do the right thing. Which yes, you should insist on being done. This so totally sucks it's not even funny. Does anyone in the area where the boogie took place have any experience with that hospital? Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #32 May 9, 2006 QuoteNo, additional testing that was not done can not be billed, this is illegal. But be sure that you know exactly what was in the chart before jumping to conclusions and assuming that insurance fraud is being performed. You stated in your first post that you were a bit out of it at the time. Are you not paying attention? My boyfriend was in the room with me, Im not upset about the tests, Im upset they are stating they gave me medicines that if they had in fact given me my own personal doctor stated it would be a gross over dose and that in no way shape or form would I be able to leave the hospital on my own accord. I walked out 6 hours after I was put in there. I stated some of the meds they are charging me for yet you say .... Quote, I don't know what meds you were or were not given or not given, so not going down that road. When me and my COHERENT boyfriend know I was only given one tablet of vicodin, and a RX for an addidtional 10 day supply. So no I am not jumping to conclusions or assuming anything IF this is what they are saying they gave me (which they are in this bill and we are waiting for the charts) then THEY ARE doing what I am saying. If they in fact have in my charts that I did take all this stuff then it is in fact medical mal-practice. If in fact this is a mistake ie cross billing then it will be found rather fast. Please read everything before you accuse.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #33 May 9, 2006 C'mon now, take it easy. You came here asking for help, and people here are trying to do just that. I know you feel persecuted and are in a situation that has you feeling a bit defensive, but remember that you started this conversation and the folks here are just trying to cover all the bases for you. M'kay? I think the first steps have been laid out to you: get the chart and as much information from medical billing as you can. I'm a nursing student, and I've worked the past year at my local ER as a tech, helping nurses do what they do. I can tell you the amount of documentation reqired of a nurse is awesome: if they fart into the wind they need to write it down in three different places. So if it was done, it'll be documented. Remember that ER personnel have a hard job; all day long they deal with people in various states of illness, oftentimes without any obvious cause. The testing they do seems frivolous to many, but actually is necessary for the doctors to have the full picture before they can properly treat their patients. All it would take is one misdiagnosis because they didn't want to burden the patient with extra cost, and the court case would be huge. We have technology that allows us to diagnose and treat illnesses that would be considered otherworldly even a few years ago. The good news to this is that sick folks are being saved that otherwise would have died (or been disabled for life); the bad news is that this technology costs lots of money. By all means, see this to the end. I just ask that you make sure you have all the information available to you before you give yourself an ulcer over it. And regardless of the outcome, remember the most important thing: you are alive, and healthy. Give your boyfriend a big hug for being there for you, and live your life to its fullest. Elvisio "ER romantic" Rodriguez edit: OCD regarding typos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #34 May 9, 2006 QuoteSimple answer YES. Edit to add: http://www.cbsnews.com/...es/main1362808.shtml People gripe because the media screws up skydiving stories, then expects them to get other stories right? The actual charge is exactly the same for ins. vs. non ins. patients. If I bill the ins company $100 and they pay me $25, I have to accept that as full payment under the terms of the insurance company contract. I am not permitted to bill the patient for the differenct. Insurances get more people in the practice because people go where their insurances cover, and that is why we take insurances to begin with... to retain and care for our patients. The same patient without insurance is still billed the $100. There is no contract obligating me to accept what the patient choses to pay as it isn't the same as insurance. So the actual bill is identical, the payment received is what is different. No one likes the system at all except the insurance companies that make a fortune on premiums and pay very little to the docs that provide the services. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #35 May 9, 2006 QuoteIf they in fact have in my charts that I did take all this stuff then it is in fact medical mal-practice. If in fact this is a mistake ie cross billing then it will be found rather fast. Please read everything before you accuse. There is no medical malpractice involved.. you are obviously alive and unharmed. Meds that are sent home with you from the ER (I don't know if they gave you samples or anything) are still billed to insurance.. it doesn't mean that the meds were actually taken while in the ER. Again, I wasn't there, I'm not justifying or not justifying the actual treatment, just hoping you will understand that there is a possibility you are not being screwed. Like everyone else said, do the leg work, get the charts, talk with the hospital billing people (not the docs... it isn't their job to bill, only to provide the services). Don't plan on this being resolved overnight. You have no idea how much a PITA billing and insurance companies are to deal with. I hate them, patients hate them, there is no good way to deal with them. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #36 May 9, 2006 I just thought it was clear that if they say they gave me these medicines that it is impossible that I walked out of there that night, yet I am being billed for them. Its enough medicine to overdose. The other poster was assuming I was not nor my boyfriend coherent to know that I wasnt overdosed in the hospital and stated things not relavent a few times and thats where this fustration is coming. I am always the first to admit when I am wrong, but personally even before finding out if this is a mistake or not, yes I feel Im being screwed by the hospital. I dont mind the tests they did, and I know they took blood (but not that many sticks which I am surprised they broke down that I have to pay for the "sticks") and I know they did the urine and the cat scan, but I also know that I wasnt pumped with that many pain relievers and antibotics before I left. I could handle being overcharged for the testing, but I will not pay for medication that I did not recieve. But that will be in the records and if its in the records I had all those drugs given to me by them in a 6 hour span then its a whole different issue. Which I am sure we wont go much further and that I will get a different bill, its obvious to the nurse I talked to that I did not get those medicines at those dosages but she cant say much more because they havent released the records yet. The principal I am mad about is that they (two reps for the hospital) both informed me that calling my insurance company would not solve anything and that they cant help me. That to me shows that something is weird and screwey.... is screwey a word? I appreciate the advice but no one in the world could convince me I had the medicines they say I did and to tell me not to contact my provider is wrong. If it was a mistake in billing fine, they will fix it, but if they say it isnt then I wont back down.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #37 May 9, 2006 I was only sent home with a Rx. And since 9 of the medicines are considered major narcotics I would be surprised if they could just give me that many samples or that they would do that.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #38 May 9, 2006 OK, considering that I was there, I will state what exactly was and was not done at this hospital. 1: She was taken in an ambulance, she refused any IV 2: At the hospital she refused ALL needles with the exception of Blood Work, there was *NO* meds given to here via needle. NONE. 3: She was passing out and going into minor ceasures, she couldnt remember what her birthday was or the name of her father for awhile.. They gave here a CAT scan and said that she had nothing but a broken nose, 4: they did imply that I had probably beat her up more than once when i was right there.. Annoying to say the least, and I guess I can almost understand, but it seems to me that they would at least ask this when I wasn't around?? 4: She was given 1 (mabey 2) meds orally, ... She checked herself out against the doctors wishes, I was finally ok with this because they just didnt seem to be doing anything at all.. We were there for a long time. There was not that many meds given to her, no IVs were inserted.. Basiclly, they are all full of shit. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #39 May 9, 2006 This jumped out at me right away, $3762.00 for a CT Scan???? Are you sure you didn't have an MRI? That is a huge overcharge for a CT Scan. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #40 May 9, 2006 The bill says CT w/cont I wouldnt know the difference between a MRI and CT scan, but the bill does state CTSudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #41 May 9, 2006 wow, I sure hope you did NOT get a CT scan WITH CONTRAST for a head injury btw : contrast is given orally and intravenously for a CT and for a head scan you wouldnt be getting oral! Hard to give iv with no iv access as well. .Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #42 May 9, 2006 nopers I had no iv and Im almost positive I didnt drink anything. See why this is weird? Stress, sigh, life was just getting stress free.... stupid stupid hospital And it mght take some time to find why its like this. Im never getting hurt in the air againSudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #43 May 9, 2006 Sit down and write a formal letter to the Hospital and Copy your insurance Company. Explain that there are numerous mistakes on your bill. Explain exactly what happened, What you received and what was done. Point out the specific Charges you are disputing. Be professional, Polite and firm. Inform the Hospital that you will not pay for Medicines, Tests or Services you did not receive and you will ask your insurance company to not pay for those items either. Give them a reasonable amount of time (30 Days) to correct their errors. Inform them that if these errors are not addressed, you will take your Bill and eyewitnesses to the local media so that they can run a story on hospitals gouging and over charging. Make sure to do this in writing and send it certified/ Return receipt requested to both the Hospital and Insurance Company. If you have not found resolution in 30 days, send everything to Georgia State Attorney Generals Office (They will usually just file it unless they have other complaints) and the Local TV and Print media. This cost you very little (Unlike an Attorney) and can generally get good results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #44 May 9, 2006 Quote.... If my overhead on running a practice (rent, equipment, staff, meds, utilities, malpractice insurance, property insurance, etc) works out to $150/hr, how is it possible for me to afford to take $32 for that same hour? Ahhh...so you "see" 15 patients at a time, keep them waiting for an hour each....well, that explains the charges AND the long wait after my scheduled appointment time. Kinda like a dairy...cows waiting to be milked. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #45 May 9, 2006 QuoteAhhh...so you "see" 15 patients at a time, keep them waiting for an hour each....well, that explains the charges AND the long wait after my scheduled appointment time. Kinda like a dairy...cows waiting to be milked. Yep, that's how a lot of docs do it. I don't take many insurances, only ones that make it worth my time. Patients all get 30-60 minutes of doctor time depending on what they are there for, and I try to make no one wait more than 15 minutes.. if so, they get a big apology from me personally and offer to reschedule if it is more convenient for them. Patient time is just as important as mine is... I'm on patient payroll, not the other way around. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #46 May 10, 2006 If you had a head scan with contrast, it would have been administered via IV and would have been an MRI/MRA. This involves putting you in a tube for about 45 minutes to an hour and you have to listen to constant noise. This test would cost about $3700. I have had this done twice. I have also had several normal CT Scans of the head with no contrast. This is basically an XRay of your head and lasts for only about 5 minutes. I think the cost is about $400-500. The fact you had a head injury and were experiencing some seizures makes me doubt you had a simple CT Scan. I'm not in the medical profession, so I could be wrong. But, when it comes to brain scans, I've had more than my share. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #47 May 10, 2006 Thats why there has just got to be a huge misunderstanding with this bill. However its like pulling teeth to find anything out.Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #48 May 10, 2006 Lisa, Forget the bill for a minute. You obviously hit your head and suffered some seizures. Are you experiencing any residual symptoms? Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisamariewillbe 1 #49 May 10, 2006 I had the brain damage before Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #50 May 10, 2006 QuoteIf you had a head scan with contrast, it would have been administered via IV and would have been an MRI/MRA. This involves putting you in a tube for about 45 minutes to an hour and you have to listen to constant noise. This test would cost about $3700. I have had this done twice. I have also had several normal CT Scans of the head with no contrast. This is basically an XRay of your head and lasts for only about 5 minutes. I think the cost is about $400-500. The fact you had a head injury and were experiencing some seizures makes me doubt you had a simple CT Scan. I'm not in the medical profession, so I could be wrong. But, when it comes to brain scans, I've had more than my share. Chris I can say that she was not in there for no 45 minutes, mabey 10-15 minutes max. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
