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Fucking hospitals - anyone have any advice?

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growsonwalls	Fucking hospitals - anyone have any advice?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 3177 (12/27/08 01:12 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Ok I'm seriously having a freakout here. A few months ago I was at he ER and stayed overnight. I gave them my insurance information. When I was released I called my insurance company, who told me that they knew of the admission, and since I was just treated at the ER, and not actually admitted into the hospital, not to worry about filing any more claims. Well today, more than a month later, I get a bill from the hospital charging me to the tune of 2k. I call them and find out that all the offices are closed, but apparently that they filed me as "self-paying." I am freaking out, I'm afraid there was a terrible mistake and now I might have to pay for something I: 1. can't afford and 2. was told was "taken care of" by the insurance companies I do NOT want to be involved in this kind of mess. What do I do?
Seahawketti		#1	[-]
Posts: 1278 (12/27/08 01:15 PM) Thinks Jay Leno is funny Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Most hospitals have financial counselors that can help you. Wait until Monday when business offices are open and then CALMLY call them. But on the down side, a lot of insurance companies don't cover much of what happens in the ED unless you are admitted. I don't know about your particular insurance. On the bright side, a bill of $2000.00 from an ED visit is dirt cheap.
MsJones4		#2	[-]
Posts: 3148 (12/27/08 01:17 PM) Registered User Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Kill yourself, ywia
IFY0USEEKATE		#3	[-]
Posts: 1330 (12/27/08 01:24 PM) Lost soul Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Do you know what your deductible is?
growsonwalls		#4	[-]
Posts: 3178 (12/27/08 01:26 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	That's what kills me. I told them I DIDN'T want to be admitted into the hospital because after spending a night in the ER and getting some very basic treatment I was fine. (Turns out I was just extremely dehydrated and they hooked me up to an IV drip and that was fine.) Then I was told by insurance that since I was just treated at the ER I didn't need to file a claim. Now it turns out that because I just stayed at the ER for a night that they won't cover anything? And 2k might be "dirt cheap" but it's not something I can really afford right now. I don't think I have a deductible. I'm supposed to pay like $100 for an ER admission, which doesn't require pre-approval.
Phuz1		#5	[-]
Posts: 3108 (12/27/08 01:27 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	The hospital charged you, and the insurance company is hoping you'll be all intimidated and won't file the proper paperwork to make it pay what's clearly its responsibility. That's how insurance companies make money to pay their investor's dividends. So get on the phone with the hospital Monday, find out what your insurance company needs to do, then request the proper paperwork or download it from your provider's web site. The hospital wants its money, and it'll be a lot less hassle to get it from the insurance company than from you, so you can find a counselor who will help you fill out the paperwork properly.
Aunt Pappy		#6	[-]
Posts: 17426 (12/27/08 01:30 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Yes, all you need to do is call your insurance company on Monday to get your answers and/or get things straightened out. Have a nice weekend!
growsonwalls		#7	[-]
Posts: 3179 (12/27/08 01:32 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	I'm just afraid the insurance company will say, "Well you didn't file ___________ claim/paperwork so it's not our responsibility."
Aunt Pappy		#8	[-]
Posts: 17429 (12/27/08 01:36 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Then you tell them what you were previously told. If they stand firm and refuse to work with you on this, tell whomever you're speaking with to go screw themself.
simplyamused		#9	[-]
Posts: 3206 (12/27/08 01:38 PM) Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Sounds to me the mistake was in the paper work. You have insurance. I'd try to get to the bottom of why you were filed as "self paying". Ya may have to eat this one, is sucks, sorry.
Phuz1		#10	[-]
Posts: 3109 (12/27/08 01:39 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	You have insurance and a bill from a hospital. As long as you complete the paperwork within the same fiscal/calendar year of the claim, they can't legally deny payment. So get hopping Monday.
Cuauhtemoc Gilmore		#11	[-]
Posts: 14782 (12/27/08 01:40 PM) OMEDETO, CATHY!! Reply Quote More Recent Posts	MsJones4 wrote: Kill yourself, ywia There's a fine line between making a witty comment and being a douchebag for no reason when someone's suffering irl. Foad.
PassionatePiscesMan		#12	[-]
Posts: 6720 (12/27/08 01:40 PM) Registered User Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Consult your policy and then call the hospital and have them bill the insurance co. Screw ups are common
growsonwalls		#13	[-]
Posts: 3180 (12/27/08 01:44 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	PassionatePiscesMan wrote: Consult your policy and then call the hospital and have them bill the insurance co. Screw ups are common So has this happened to anyone? I can't believe how they could have messed this up when they wouldn't even treat me until I turned over my insurance card.
ZippyDoDa		#14	[-]
Posts: 8912 (12/27/08 01:47 PM) Such a naughty monkey Reply Quote More Recent Posts	If you have a primary Dr that you visit enough that they know you, they may help you. In my office we will help our patients get the proper paperwork filled out so they can get their money back. It never hurts to ask. Don't let any of them intimidate you, because that is what they like. If they can intimidate you into paying it they will. Just tell them you have no money and stick with that!!.
AshBender		#15	[-]
Posts: 1959 (12/27/08 01:49 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	I hope you remember the Adjuster's name/agent number or whatever that told you that or if you are told it isn't their responsibility, you are probably screwed. When it comes to insurance, make sure you have whatever they tell you in writing (ie have them send you an email) as different folks will say and tell you different things that may bite you in the ass. And be VERY sweet and friendly.. honey..flies.. vinegar..etc.. and calling back and getting a different person helps too because you might get a different answer as they all seem to do their own thing and have their own rules.
Seahawketti		#16	[-]
Posts: 1281 (12/27/08 01:50 PM) Thinks Jay Leno is funny Reply Quote More Recent Posts	growsonwalls wrote: PassionatePiscesMan wrote: Consult your policy and then call the hospital and have them bill the insurance co. Screw ups are common So has this happened to anyone? I can't believe how they could have messed this up when they wouldn't even treat me until I turned over my insurance card. "They" didn't mess this up. It is not the hospital's responsibility to know everything about everyone's insurance, it is your responsibility. The hospital will help you however, because they know it's likely the only way they will get paid. But I'm pretty sure paying your bills, or getting them paid by the insurance company, is your responsibility.
Phuz1		#17	[-]
Posts: 3110 (12/27/08 01:54 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Stop worrying about it until Monday. The more you think about it, the more stirred up you'll be when you're finally able to make that call, and it may work against you.
growsonwalls		#18	[-]
Posts: 3181 (12/27/08 01:56 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Uh I CALLED my insurance company the NEXT DAY and was specifically told by whoever answered the phone that since I was never actually admitted for "in-patient services," whatever that means, that I didn't need to file any more claims. I didn't know that what they meant was "since you never went into the hospital for in-patient services we're not paying" which is the sinking feeling I'm getting about what's going to happen.
Phuz1		#19	[-]
Posts: 3113 (12/27/08 02:10 PM) Registered user Reply Quote More Recent Posts	OK, just sit and stew in it, then. Great way to waste the last weekend of 2008. Which reminds me, it's time to get the fuck off my computer.
Beefcake		#20	[-]
Posts: 2107 (12/27/08 02:10 PM) Registered User Reply Quote More Recent Posts	Insurance companies are evil and nothing they tell you on the phone can ever be trusted. I swear sometimes they train their customer service people to lie through their teeth. As Seahawketti said, calm down, relax and talk to the hospital. A mistake was made somewhere, which happens all the time at big places like hospitals. They want to get paid, and they know it's easier to get two grand from an insurance company than from you. Just politely tell them that you got a bill and you think it's a mistake because that bill should have been submitted to your insurance carrier. Most likely, someone somewhere didn't get a copy of your insurance card. That's all. Worst case scenario is that you have to mail the bill to your carrier. There are forms on their website and you usually have a year to file the claim, so you don't have to worry about being rejected because the claim was filed too late. But it's unlikely that you will have to do that. (And make sure it's actually a bill -- I've gotten invoices from medical providers that show me the cost and somewhere it indicates that the bill is being submitted to insurance.)

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