From: niebuhr@bnlux1.bnl.gov (david niebuhr)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Complaining about a hospital billMy son recently had some very minor surgery, he was a little tongue tied
Date: 12 Apr 92 12:07:14 GMT
Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973

In article <1992Apr9.143913.25421@hubcap.clemson.edu> turnera@hubcap.clemson.edu (Allen Turner) writes:
>I agree with you that your son's hospital bill was unreasonable.  The recent
>experience I had with my 2.5 week old son's hospitalization may lend you
>some insight into the problem.
>
>My son was hospitalized for 10 days, 2 in intensive care, with viral pneumonia.
>The bill first presented to me was slightly over $17,000 and I was required to
>provide 15% of that up to a maximum $1500 after a $200 deductible was met.  
>My insurance would pay the balance.  I paid $1500 and my son was released 
>from the hospital.
>
Paragraph about huge hospital bill deleted

>The long and the short of it all is the hospital was willing to accept
>roughly 60% of their usual billing rate because my insurance had prenegotiated
>costs with them.  This wasn't 40% off on tootsie roll, it was 40% off on
>a Honda Accord!  I was stunned.  Of course the hospital, knowing full well
>about the actual billing rate quoted me the $17,000 which caused me pay
>the full $1500.  At $9,000 my $1500 maximum would not have been met but
>they took the full $1500 anyway.  
>
They'll try to do this all the time unless called on the carpet.

>My son is now almost 3 months old, is healthy and thriving.  I am thankful
>about the miracle of modern medical care that saved my little boy.  However,
>there's something wrong in medicine today.  The costs associated with
>health care are often a subtle form of extortion...'pay this amount' no
>'pay this big amount' no 'pay this BIG amount' or your health will suffer.
>In the case of my son we didn't have the luxury of time to check out our
>health care alternatives...we had to pay whatever the hospital charged. In
>my son's case they were willing to accept 60% of 'pay this BIG amount'
>but they wouldn't tell me so, they would only tell my insurance so.  I
>feel sorry for the people who don't have professionals who are experienced
>in negotiating with medical care services.
>

I have an HMO and used the hospital portion four times (twice for me)
and the only charges have been for the TV and phone.

>I have no doubt that the hospital made money at the 60% rate they utimately
>accepted.  It's no wonder that health care is sapping our economy when 40%
>of routine billings and more is profit.
>
>Allen Turner

Allen is absouletely correct about health care and that includes dental.

Last year, my third daughter had two wisdom teeth pulled by an oral
surgeon and when the procedure was done, presented me with a bill well
over what my dental insurance company wanted.  

I called him and told him flat out that what he wanted was not what I
was quoted, nor was it what the insurance company said was "reasonable
and proper" and that I would pay him off over time, period.

End of case.  I paid the bill, submitted the proof and received a check.

The moral of the story is to call each doctor, dentist and hospital on
the carpet on charges and try to make them realize that health care is
too important to be run the way it is presently -- inefficiently.

Dave

-- 

Dave Niebuhr      Internet: niebuhr@bnl.gov / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093