Why do hospitals charge people with a very huge bill?

Question

Like a friend of mine, got drunk and couldnt wake up I called up the hospital and they took him to the hospital and he just stayed over for a day.

A month later he got a bill that came from the hospital value at $1900. Thats like 3 weeks of his paycheck.

Answer 1

Hospitals charge what it costs to provide care, plus a differential to cover those without health insurance or to cover idiots who drink too much and use the emergency room to treat their hangover.  

Answer 2

Because they can.

Answer 3

If he tries hard enough, he can convince the hospital to either:

a) line up a payment plan (pay $xx each month)

2) Drop the bill and act like it never happened.

Seriously...by law, a hospital cannot deny services to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or income level.

Just be patient with the billing department.

Answer 4

Because they are a bunch of money hungry @$$holes. It shouldn't cost that much. I broke a finger and dislocated my knee, but couldn't go to the hospital because I have no insurance. My finger healed incorrectly and hurts all the time. I hate HMO's and doctors!