Example of ER bills for an uninsured

[Anonymous]

Is this sustainable? Is this reasonable? I had to go to the ER for a minor accident and got a few x-rays. I guess I am almost writing this post to dissuade people from going to the ER, especially if you are uninsured. I am, unfortunately. So I got two bills, which was a surprise. 1,500 for the ER visit (with a $224 charge for a pregnancy test! even though I had told them I did a pregnancy test myself just prior to the visit) and a $850 bill (kindly discounted from almost 1000), which totals 2,350 for an ER visit. Next time I just won't go. That's American healthcare. Disgrace. I don't know what to do and I am writing this through tears. Is this for real?

I am being penalized for having a medical need in the evening. Had the urgent care places been available I would have paid way less. I had an experience of going to an urgent care place and they have a very deep discount for self-pay patients. In fact, that visit was similar in scope and I was seen much sooner. It cost me just above $100, including x-rays.

NEVER go to a hospital ER. Thank you, America.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry. I needed an MRI and my insurance denied it (for cancer!). Sibley told me it would be $5500 if I paid out of pocket. Such BS.

Call the financial office in the am. Negotiate a lower price and a payment plan.

And yes, it is shameful that this is how things are.

[Anonymous]

It’s not America’s fault you chose to live without health insurance. Most people that choose not to have insurance also put money back each month in case of an emergency. If you can’t afford to do that then apply for state assistance. Going around blaming an entire country for your mistake seems silly.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the entire country is to be blamed. Why not? Do you know any other country with such a system?

[Anonymous]

Even with insurance, I always hesitate to visit the ER with how high costs end up being. I’m sorry you’re in this situation though. I’ve heard of people calling the hospital to negotiate how to pay the bill, but that sounds … not promising imo.

[Anonymous]

How can a hospital ER visit cost 24 times more than an urgent care visit? Wait times are awful to boot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not America’s fault you chose to live without health insurance. Most people that choose not to have insurance also put money back each month in case of an emergency. If you can’t afford to do that then apply for state assistance. Going around blaming an entire country for your mistake seems silly.[/quote

bingo

[Anonymous]

Sorry that this is the case.

To the prior poster, I’ll add that I had a similar incident of going to the ER and coming out with a large bill - and I had a pretty solid insurance plan. I’d followed all the protocols of calling and alerting the insurance company etc.

The burden of insurance and challenging the payment seems to be falling more and more on the insured person vs the medical provider.

[Anonymous]

The thing is, the insurance company would probably pay them around $300 for the same visit. Their negotiated rates are often a small percentage of the “list prices” that they charge an uninsured person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing is, the insurance company would probably pay them around $300 for the same visit. Their negotiated rates are often a small percentage of the “list prices” that they charge an uninsured person.

Exactly! It's all pure graft! $224 for a pee pregnancy test?!

[Anonymous]

Why are you uninsured? ACA plans are subsidized if you are low income.

[Anonymous]

I am uninsured because ACA is not A for me, it's Unafforadble (UCA). I am not entirely low income but in the very uncomfortable middle for whom ACA costs are too expensive. Monthly premiums higher than 1,000 and a deductible of $18,000. What would the ACA coverage help me with in this case? Nada, for $1,000+ a month, I would have to pay this 2,350 bill out of pocket as part of deductible!

[Anonymous]

When I’ve worked with ER billing on some huge payments (because at the time I had a really high deductible and sadly 2 ER visits in a month)….. they let me negotiate it down to 50% if I paid within 24 hours.

I did. That knocked off thousands. But I had to pay thousands all at once.

I’m not sure if that’s a weird scam on their part. But. I feel like it was the best I could do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am uninsured because ACA is not A for me, it's Unafforadble (UCA). I am not entirely low income but in the very uncomfortable middle for whom ACA costs are too expensive. Monthly premiums higher than 1,000 and a deductible of $18,000. What would the ACA coverage help me with in this case? Nada, for $1,000+ a month, I would have to pay this 2,350 bill out of pocket as part of deductible!

Ok so it sounds like you’ve come out ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am uninsured because ACA is not A for me, it's Unafforadble (UCA). I am not entirely low income but in the very uncomfortable middle for whom ACA costs are too expensive. Monthly premiums higher than 1,000 and a deductible of $18,000. What would the ACA coverage help me with in this case? Nada, for $1,000+ a month, I would have to pay this 2,350 bill out of pocket as part of deductible!

Incorrect. The charges are reduced per the contract with the insurer. A 2380 “charge” would be reduced to maybe $500 or so.