I'm hoping someone with some legal experience can help me. I got sick and had to go to the hosipital. I recieved a bill for about $780. I called and gave them my insurance info and they filed a claim for $1500.00. Is this normal for the hospital to tack on $800 because I have insurance? Would like some advice on what to do next, anything would help.
2007-01-09 14:49:40 · 5 answers · asked by Leli 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Usually a hospital or pharmacy will charge an un ensured patient, AKA a private pay patient, a higher amount for services. It is yet another example of how the poor in our country get gouged every day. This is what happens. If you are lucky enough to have a job with health insurance or can pay for your own insurance policy, you pay into a large health insurance organization. It is the goal of the health insurance organization to make money (hey it is the American way right?). So the health insurance company tells the providers (Hospitals, doctors, pharmacies) they are only going to pay a certain amount of money for services or they negotiate a lower rate for people that buy into their insurance. It does not really help out the people that buy into the insurance, it helps the insurance companies because they pay less for a service. People that can not afford insurance have to pay the regular or higher rate because they are not part of a group that has some bargaining power. So, you having insurance and then getting a higher bill after you gave them your insurance is odd. It is possible they did not have all your services on your first bill. You may want to call the billing department at that hospital and ask for a statement that shows ALL of the charges that make up that bill. Compare it to your first bill. You may find your answer right there. As long as you don't have to pay anything, you probably don't have to call an attny. If you suspect insurance fraud, you should contact your insurance company with your suspicions.
2007-01-09 15:04:34 · answer #1 · answered by Josie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that's normal. I would ask for an itemization of the bill from the hospital. Contact the insurance company and explain to them what has happened. They will look into it, especially if they think fraud has been committed.
2007-01-09 15:00:26 · answer #2 · answered by janetrmi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask for an itemization of the first bill and the bill submitted to the insurance company. Hospitals usually charge more to the uninsured.
2007-01-09 14:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aetna? I do not feel they have got a separate corporation that sells to indiviudals. What's the genuine identify of the corporation for the reason that my wager any individual informed you it used to be concerning them and is not? Also feels like a reduction plan, for the reason that one of the most reduction plans use the Aetna reduction dental plan as good. Sounds like an IAB plan to me. I"m guessing the corporation is out of Texas both method. Either method for approximately the identical cash you could had been equipped to get anything well. As any individual stated the fewer you pay, the fewer they pay. BUT, I uncover that individuals simply leap on a plan with out doing any homework for the reason that they are able to more often than not get a greater plan with out a lot more (if any) out of pocket. Let me recognise for the reason that I'm curious as to what you may have. Good good fortune, Jeff ----- Never heard of it, however sure it appears extra like a worksite product like an Aflac. The web page fees "that specialize in confined twist of fate and health problem coverage plans." And sure, for $eighty a month you might have got a greater deductible complete plan.
2016-09-03 19:28:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes that first billing does not include all charges such as lab fees and etc....
2007-01-09 14:59:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋