ER billing errors?...pulmonary diag... iv therapy...etc...please help...?

Question

Hello. I just got my bill from an ER visit a couple weeks back and I believe it has some errors as I remember all the tests I had done but maybe I just don't understand the way they coded this. I plan on calling them Moday morning but was hoping somebody here might be able to help.

There is a charge for 2 PULMONARY DIAG. $184.00
--but they didn't check my lungs at all unless they are counting when the DR. used her stethoscope and listened to me inhale and exhale.
There is a charge for 1 PHARMACY $178.00
--but I wasn't given any medication - not even a prescription
There is a charge for 1 IV THERAPY $363.00
--would a foley catheter used for an ultrasound count as this? That is the only way that would make sense.
All my other charges make sense to me except there is a charge for 2 EMERGENCY ROOM $1,183.00
Why would it be for "2"? Does anybody know???

And it says "You will receive a serparate bill for physician services"...what would this include?
Thanks.

Thanks. I had NOTHING done with my lungs no xrays --the ultrasound was of my uterus

They took blood FROM me.

But why would I have 2 in front of the ER billing? That would be like I was there twice, no?

Oh and I had no inhaler since I wasn't there for my lungs but for abnormal uterine bleeding. But thanks so much for answering, I appreciate the help.

AHHH! I didn't even have a tylenol. NO MEDS WHATSOEVER. I think it's a mistake.

Rosie C, thanks for the edit -but my bill does have tons of other charges on it for things I DO recognise. I think they added somebody elses stuff on it too. :) Thanks for the help.

Zelo, I wasn't offered anything. H2O with the catheter. It says 2 EMERGENCY ROOM and other items are listed the same way, with the # before it...like 13 for LABORATORY --for the 13 tests

Answer 1

Hospitals are notorious for charging exorbitant charges. You should call the business office of the hospital in the morning and question the charges.


Thanks for the addtl details: The clinical picture is clear now since your main complaint is unusual uterine bleeding. IYour case is of a Gynecological nature. I strongly suspect they gave you erroneous charges that belong to some other pt who had a pulmonary problem and received IV therapy and med. and the like. There's no mention of the ultrasound done on you and the lab test for blood work.


Expect a big bill for the diagnostic procedure of the non-invasive ultrasound. On a non-emergency basis, it's exorbitant. the procdure cost about $41.00 plus the evaluation is another $80.00 . And when done under an emergency basis, it becomes more expensive.
The amt of $1,183.00 alone speaks of the nature of the urgency use of the ER.

The 2 stands for the Room #2 in the ER.

Hopefully, you do have health insurance, as incessant vaginal bleeding is an emergency situation. It should be totally covered. if you met your deductible for the year.


Good Luck, on the success of your fight against the charges.
Demand a better explanation. Notify your insurance to question also.

Answer 2

See if I can help you out here.

Pulmonary Diag. is taking your blood pressure.

Pharmacy -- some type of medication including Tylenol or a drip feed or ANYTHING that has to do with the pharmacy whether you take the medication or not. You said you took nothing... were you offered anything?

IV Therapy -- anything that goes into the body can be considered an IV, anything that injects medicine into the body. A foley catheter does exactly the opposite so I'd check on that (and make sure you were not given anything when they put it in).

How is the charge 2 Emergency Room stated on the bill? That could be numerous things.

Answer 3

You definitely need to request a statement describing in detail what the charges are for. If necessary make an appt. with the billing dept. to go in and have them go over each and every charge. As for the Dr.'s billing that is nonsense. I'm sure the Dr. who saw you was in the emergency room and on staff and that is part of the services you receive in the ER and should not pay separately for this charge. The pulmonary diag. could not be for the Dr. listening to your lungs as that is routine care included in every ER visit. The foley catheter is not IV therapy as it was not done intravenously.

Answer 4

OK let me see if my 2 cents worth helps. When you first got there and they took your vital signs and put the pulse ox thing on your finger that could be a pulmonary thing, also if they put oxygen on you for any length of time. The Foley catheter is not an IV of any kind and it wouldn't show up as such. If they put an IV in you that might be it. But it appears as though the person entering your charges was interrupted or entered the wrong patient code number into the computer and the charges belong to someone else.

Answer 5

I'll try to help the best I can.
Pulm diag - it could be when the doc listened to your heart and lungs
pharmacy - I'm not sure. They'll charge you for even a Tylenol, though
IV Therapy - any catheter would go under this category
"2" might just refer to the room number

As for the separate bill for the physician, sad, but true. The bill you received is just for the room and supplies, every single doctor who looked at you could send you a bill. It won't be near as much as the other bill, but it'll be significant. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

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