Negotiating an ER bill?

Question

Several weeks ago I dislocated my thumb and was forced to go to the ER. I have no insurance. My friend drove me, so there was no ambulance involved.

They gave me some ice, took XRAYS, the doc then pulled the thumb back into place with no anesthesia, they took some more XRAYS to see if there was a fracture or break which there wasn't. They then set it in a splint and sent me on my way. Its now almost back to normal.

These folks did a great job but the bill came to almost $1300. $70 of that was from an outside contractor who's job it is to read the XRAYS.

They have a payment plan but to me $1300 is too much. I'd like to know how much they would get if I actually had insurance. If I knew they would only get $500 I'd then go to them with that info to try and negotiate.

I was checking my credit report for something else the other day and see they've already put an inquiry on it.

Any advice from folks with actual experience is most appreciated.

Answer 1

The hospital system I work for has a patient financial assistance department, where there are discounts that can be offered based on the patient's income.

Have you asked the hospital if they offer a similar program?  Most hospitals do - your billing statement may include a phone number or contact information for the department that handles that info.

Answer 2

you might want to try talking to the actual hospital administrator---really, he's the only one that can lower your bill, anyone else you talk to is just someone sitting in a cubicle! i don't think medical bills will actually go on your credit repost--i THINK that is illegal for them to report them as bad debt.  they are on there as an inquiry because they probably checked your credit when they checked you in to the ER.  if you don't pay it and then it gets bought by a debt collection company--THEN it will go on your credit report as bad debt becuase it isn't owed to a health provider anymore.

the only time the insurance co pay less is if they have a specific agreement with the provider or if it is a worker's compensation claim. worker's comp has a fee schedule that is set by the state.

Answer 3

Next time, go to an urgent care clinic instead of an E.R.   MUCH cheaper.

Answer 4

You may also qualify for a discount based on your income. You definitely need to talk to the hospital, just give them a call and sing a good sob story about not having insurance etc.

An unpaid medical bill will not go on your credit report unless the hospital or doctor to whom you owe the debt subscribes to at least one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax or Trans Union) or the debt is turned over to a collection agency, which will definitely report it to one or more of the three credit bureaus.

I urge you to purchase some health insurance. In this case even with a high deductible plan you would have saved up to 50% of the bill due to only having to pay the insurance companies negotiated rates. Even a simple $30 per month accident plan could have paid this whole bill.

Answer 5

1300 is probably the hospitals bill only... Where's the bill from the doctor? U said you already received one from the radiologist... But, you're still missing at least one bill.

You could probably figure it out, but you'd need an itemized statement from the facility. Email me thru answers if u need help, after you get an itemization indicated all services rendered.