how wrong does this seem to you?

My Aidan went to the hospital about a month ago to get three stitches above his eye.  We were in the E.R. for an hour, maybe an hour and a half.  Well, tonight I got the mail and opened a bill from the hospital.  $2224.99.  

Seriously. 

The billing office, of course, is closed right now.  But please tell me I'll call tomorrow to find out that this was a mistake.  Seriously. 

Update on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 08:20PM by Amy

So Jim called the hospital today and they said the information was correct.  He asked for an itemized list (thank you, Lisa!), and they have yet to fax it.  More phone calls tomorrow, I'm sure. 

Comments

[jenny c.]

That had to be an extra 2. That is crazy!! Thanks for hanging out today. It was so much fun to finally meet you in person as well. Now one of these days I will have to get you to make one of your amazing cakes.

[Kelly]

That sounds insane! Avery had 7 stitches in her head a couple of years ago, and I think it was $700 something. Good luck with that phone call -- sheesh!

[Sheri]

Seriously-I certainly hope so! yikes If not - they have some explaining to do and I would request an itemized bill.

[Jaime]

Sheesh! In this day and age I wouldn't doubt it, but I hope it's a big mistake! :)

[Shanon]

Like I said on the phone, that is about how much we paid to have a baby! Twice.

[Lucy]

I agree about the extra "2". I really, really hope so. If not, well....it just has to be an extra 2! Our system isn't THAT messed up, is it? I so don't want to ever have to give Michael Moore any props.

[Marie]

That can't be right. It just can't. I have heard that American health care is expensive, (I'm in Canada) but that is insane. I can't even get my mind around it.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I spent a little time going around yours today, and I've got to say it is awesome. I will totally be back. Your kids are gorgouse by the way. I am adding you to my sidebar!

We have children of similar ages. My oldest, Carter, will be four at the end of the summer. I have a 2-year-old daughter, Aimee, and then a baby, Maxwell, who is almost 6 months.

[Price Cream Parlor]

We have been to the ER far too many times. We have never had a charge like that! This *must* be an error! A couple hundred - but never a number like that! PLEASE! And, if you find that the billing office stands firm in their bill- ask for an itemized statement. I did that once and they were billing me for procedures that weren't even related to the injury. Just typed in the wrong codes.
Good luck - can't wait for the update!

[Tiffany]

I hope you get a good answer today (or soon--knowing how long billing takes); but, I'm sorry to say I'm not surprised at the amount.

What helps on the overall dollar amount for us is when the insurance company processes it and gives us the "in-network discount." I wish it didn't work this way, but for us it does. A recent example--an ER visit a few months ago was billed for over $4000. The insurance company's in-network contract amount took it down to about $450. So, I guess if you don't have insurance you get charged the full amount? I don't see how many people win in this type of arrangement!

Well, enough of all that! I hope it works out okay for you.

I enjoyed your cute post about Aiden. I realized that he is just a few months older thank my Kaitlyn! How fun!

[lelly]

i can't wait to hear the reasoning behind this!

[Jordan]

Fun to catch up on you today. happy birthday to your sweet Aidan and...so sorry about that bill. I have a feeling they've yet to recieve payment from your insurance company...that is just seriously ridiculous. Seriously.

[Michelle]

I am so sorry that you got a bill like that! I would for sure get a hold of the hospital, and see what the deal is! Let us know how it goes. I sure had fun at lunch!!! I think the salad that I ordered is now my new favorite!

[Barb]

It sounds like that number must be wrong, but even reading the comments makes me glad for Canadian Health Care. I would never get a bill for stitches in a hospital. Just never. The cost of having a baby here is all about the cost of maternity clothes and vitamins. I was mistakenly charged for a semi-private room during one of my hospital stays when I had a baby. Semi-private rooms are actually free, it's the private rooms that cost extra. My hospital was very quick to recognize their mistake, hopefully yours will be, too.

[Anna]

I feel your pain. I had a visit to the E.R. and when I was billed they charged $180 per hour for iv fluids. I had iv fluids for about 10 hours, so $1800 for just water!! And those iv bags cost only a couple of dollars. That E.R. visit came to over $2400. And the sad thing was what was charged for the doctor's portion (after looking over the itemized statement) was only around $150. The remaining $2200 was for iv fluid, some blood work and administration costs. It was ridiculous...and my hubby is even a doctor! I fought this bill for almost 2 years. Seriously! But, it was worth the fight. My insurance paid around $900 and I ended up only having to pay around $350...I think they were sick of hearing from me that they waived the rest of it!
Next time fly to Minnesota and have my husband stitch it up for you...the plane ticket would be cheaper than that bill!

[Rachel]

INSANE! You need a lawyer - ha! Good luck and I do hope you post the itemized list...I'd be very curious to see how they come up with such an absurd amount!

[Mandy]

that is completely insane! I hope it all gets straightened out soon for you!

[Emily]

WHAT!!!!!????? That is insane!

[Susan]

Like everyone else said just ask for an itemized bill. One time Adam was charged for a collar bone injury and it was his hand that was hurt. Good luck and I hope it all turns out ok for you.