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kozar

(2,141 posts)
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 02:05 PM Sep 2023

Ty all and I'm laughing

Finally, im including screenshot of my hosp bill. This is the problem in America! I have insurance, I won’t pay a dime as im covered, but,,

This, I’m fully vaccinated, I died,
This is what they want to charge me for 8 days?



KozandLilBit


6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ty all and I'm laughing (Original Post) kozar Sep 2023 OP
Very good news that you didn't die! leftieNanner Sep 2023 #1
Yup, it's pretty appalling. Biophilic Sep 2023 #2
No, the hospital doesn't take it off their taxes. First, most hospitals are non-profit. Second, they Silent Type Sep 2023 #5
No. That's what they WILL charge the insurance companies... dchill Sep 2023 #3
If you are laughing then you are okay ✅ Polly Hennessey Sep 2023 #4
Holy Crap! Bayard Sep 2023 #6

Biophilic

(3,740 posts)
2. Yup, it's pretty appalling.
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 02:18 PM
Sep 2023

I recognize that bill, or one very similar. Mine was for an outpatient procedure. There was an individual charge of over a hundred thousand for Operating Room supplies. It’s all a F’ing awful game. Medicare slashed the whole $260,000.00 to something like $25,000.00 that they basically took care of. I suspect the hospital counts the remainder as a loss and takes it off taxes etc.

Glad you’ve got insurance Koz and that you’re alright now. Or at least home.

Silent Type

(3,059 posts)
5. No, the hospital doesn't take it off their taxes. First, most hospitals are non-profit. Second, they
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 02:31 PM
Sep 2023

just write-off the difference in their charges and what the insurance paid, unless there is a copay or deductible, which apparently is not the case here. Glad to hear Kozar is doing well.

For some reason, hospitals and doctors often charge 2, 5, to 10 times what they expect to get from insurance. It's a stupid game that can be traced back to 1970s when hospitals and doctors were paid based upon their charges. If charges increased rapidly, payments increased accordingly. In 1980s or so, Medicare and most payers went to some kind of fee schedule, but docs and hosptials kept charging amounts they know they'll never get and will have to write-off.



dchill

(38,633 posts)
3. No. That's what they WILL charge the insurance companies...
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 02:25 PM
Sep 2023

...and the federal government. Laugh with relief - but cry for the state of our free enterprise health care setup.

Polly Hennessey

(6,818 posts)
4. If you are laughing then you are okay ✅
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 02:26 PM
Sep 2023

Our health care system is unconscionable. Glad you are covered.

Bayard

(22,247 posts)
6. Holy Crap!
Mon Sep 11, 2023, 04:24 PM
Sep 2023

And, Pay Now! Sure--I'll just dig that out of the sofa cushions.

Reminds me of nearly 40 years ago when I gave a kidney to my sister. We were both in the hospital for a week, along with the surgery. Eventually, my insurance company from work called me in a panic to ask--what is this million dollar plus bill for? I called the hospital billing dept and was told--well, we billed your insurance because we knew it would take a long time to get paid by Medicare and Medicaid, plus we wouldn't get as much from them.

Glad you came through it okay, Kozar!

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