Quick question: are ERs required to tell you how much your bill will be

[Shoopy]

Before anything is done?

ERs=emergency room

 

[Haven]

I''m not sure what the law is, but they didn''t mention anything to me about bills or cost when I went to the ER on Friday, so my guess is that it''s not required.

 

[purrfectpear]

Nope. It''s not like auto repair where you get an estimate and they can''t go 10% over

 

[Lauren8211]

Required? I doubt it.

In most medical situations, I''ve been given a low and a high estimate... but still it wasn''t a promise that something would be a particular cost.

It''s probably quite hard to give you a price since its hard to diagnose you from the get-go and know exactly what needs to be done.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 6/2/2009 2:56:01 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Required? I doubt it.

In most medical situations, I''ve been given a low and a high estimate... but still it wasn''t a promise that something would be a particular cost.

It''s probably quite hard to give you a price since its hard to diagnose you from the get-go and know exactly what needs to be done.

Yep. Part of the issue is also that ER''s are required by law to treat every patient, regardless of ability to pay, so they aren''t going to worry about the cost.

 

[jcarlylew]

i wish! that would save me 200 on a walking boot

 

[Shoopy]

I figured...

My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM
Author: fiery
I figured...

My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

Oh dear.

I don''t even want to know how much they take him for.

 

[Bia]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM
Author: fiery
I figured...

My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

Grrrrr...

This BOILS my blood. Unless by some miracle, you can bet they are going to charge him (u/s are not cheap either!).

I had to visit the ER in 2007 because it was New Years and I was out of town. I already knew what was wrong, but I thought it might be something else. Well the ER charged me $450 to tell me what I already knew, and to write me a prescription for some pain killers, which I already had, thanks to a friend of mine who is a pharmacist. I got the bill, but thankfully, I had insurance to cover it.

Hope you lil bro feels better, and the bill, whatever it is, isn''t exorbitant .

 

[strmrdr]

No, the doctors are in most states forbidden to discuss it even if they knew how much it was and they dont.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:06:16 PM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 6/2/2009 2:56:01 PM

Author: elledizzy5

Required? I doubt it.

In most medical situations, I''ve been given a low and a high estimate... but still it wasn''t a promise that something would be a particular cost.

It''s probably quite hard to give you a price since its hard to diagnose you from the get-go and know exactly what needs to be done.

Yep. Part of the issue is also that ER''s are required by law to treat every patient, regardless of ability to pay, so they aren''t going to worry about the cost.

This is part of the reason they arent allowed to discuss it.
Outpatient they will often give you a price list but not ER.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM
Author: fiery
I figured...


My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

my guess $6000 in most markets higher in a big city.

 

[icekid]

Date: 6/2/2009 9:54:04 PM
Author: strmrdr
No, the doctors are in most states forbidden to discuss it even if they knew how much it was.

Ah.. yeah. Honestly, if a patient asked I would not even really know. I could guess, but that's about it!

Fiery- FYI, a UTI in a male is quite unusual and DOES warrant further workup. They weren't being completely ridiculous

Sometimes, when pts DON'T have insurance, we're inclined to order more tests when they're at the hospital, knowing that they won't be able to get them as an outpatient.

 

[packrat]

Wouldn''t it have been simpler if they''d just had him do a urine sample right off the bat rather than a whole barrage of tests? Was there not a General Practitioner in the area he could''ve seen instead of going to the ER?

 

[icekid]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM
Author: fiery
I figured...

My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

Also, there is nothing OTC that will treat a UTI. Antibiotics require a prescription.

 

[strmrdr]

sad thing is he could have went to an immediate care clinic and paid under $200

 

[purrfectpear]

I think Strm might be way high. I figure $600 for the ER, and around $500 per ultrasound. So under $2K I hope.

 

[crown1]

Date: 6/2/2009 11:38:16 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I think Strm might be way high. I figure $600 for the ER, and around $500 per ultrasound. So under $2K I hope.

there was a thread here a month or so ago about a college student who went to the er for sore throat, stiff neck, etc. and the bill was over 2k. i think the er doc only prescribed otc meds. given that info i doubt this bill will be under 2k.

 

[Deelight]

Date: 6/2/2009 9:56:57 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM

Author: fiery

I figured...



My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

my guess $6000 in most markets higher in a big city.

is that for real....?

 

[jcarlylew]

Date: 6/3/2009 6:40:10 AM
Author: crown1

Date: 6/2/2009 11:38:16 PM

Author: purrfectpear

I think Strm might be way high. I figure $600 for the ER, and around $500 per ultrasound. So under $2K I hope.

there was a thread here a month or so ago about a college student who went to the er for sore throat, stiff neck, etc. and the bill was over 2k. i think the er doc only prescribed otc meds. given that info i doubt this bill will be under 2k.

agreed. my broken foot was nearly 3000 before insurance. I was in a room for 4 hours, 2 x rays and the doctor poked my foot. not much was done and yet was still an arm and a ... leg

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 6/2/2009 10:00:37 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM
Author: fiery
I figured...

My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

Also, there is nothing OTC that will treat a UTI. Antibiotics require a prescription.

I thought there was or maybe that''s just for women?

 

[Shoopy]

I''m guessing the bill is definitely going to be in the thousands. I don''t know if all the tests were required but I do know that what they told him was weird. They said that since my mom doesn''t make that much money, they will make sure to work out a plan with him. But my brother is 19. Isn''t he considered an adult and therefore my mom''s income would have nothing to do with what is going to be billed to him?

 

[jcarlylew]

Date: 6/3/2009 8:52:48 AM
Author: fiery
I''m guessing the bill is definitely going to be in the thousands. I don''t know if all the tests were required but I do know that what they told him was weird. They said that since my mom doesn''t make that much money, they will make sure to work out a plan with him. But my brother is 19. Isn''t he considered an adult and therefore my mom''s income would have nothing to do with what is going to be billed to him?

unless he is still claimed as a dependent. I was still a dependent at 23 so it all depends.
Heres good luck to your brother and mom though, with the bill. most companies can work out payment plans too. oh, and most important, how is your brother doing??

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 6/3/2009 8:56:43 AM
Author: jcarlylew

Date: 6/3/2009 8:52:48 AM
Author: fiery
I''m guessing the bill is definitely going to be in the thousands. I don''t know if all the tests were required but I do know that what they told him was weird. They said that since my mom doesn''t make that much money, they will make sure to work out a plan with him. But my brother is 19. Isn''t he considered an adult and therefore my mom''s income would have nothing to do with what is going to be billed to him?

unless he is still claimed as a dependent. I was still a dependent at 23 so it all depends.
Heres good luck to your brother and mom though, with the bill. most companies can work out payment plans too. oh, and most important, how is your brother doing??

He''s good. He''s just a big ole baby

. Apparently he was in a lot of pain though...but I''m not a good big sister if I don''t poke some fun at him

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/3/2009 8:52:48 AM
Author: fiery
I''m guessing the bill is definitely going to be in the thousands. I don''t know if all the tests were required but I do know that what they told him was weird. They said that since my mom doesn''t make that much money, they will make sure to work out a plan with him. But my brother is 19. Isn''t he considered an adult and therefore my mom''s income would have nothing to do with what is going to be billed to him?

If she still claims him as a dependent her income counts otherwise not.
They will have him fill out financial aid forms and give a discount and a payment plan.

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 6/3/2009 10:30:24 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/3/2009 8:52:48 AM
Author: fiery
I''m guessing the bill is definitely going to be in the thousands. I don''t know if all the tests were required but I do know that what they told him was weird. They said that since my mom doesn''t make that much money, they will make sure to work out a plan with him. But my brother is 19. Isn''t he considered an adult and therefore my mom''s income would have nothing to do with what is going to be billed to him?

If she still claims him as a dependent her income counts otherwise not.
They will have him fill out financial aid forms and give a discount and a payment plan.

She does still claim him as a dependent so that makes sense.

Thanks for all the answers

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/3/2009 7:05:24 AM
Author: Deelight

Date: 6/2/2009 9:56:57 PM

Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM


Author: fiery


I figured...




My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They''ve done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I''m wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

my guess $6000 in most markets higher in a big city.

is that for real....?

lets break it down,,,
It will likely be billed as a level 2 ER visit: $2000 + 2x ultrasound at $800 each + another $500 or so for labs + $1000 to $1500 ER doc. $5100 to $5600 + misc stuff it is easy to hit $6k
They may have been nice and billed it as a basic ER visit which is around $1000
I doubt they would have billed it as a simple visit which is around $400-$600 and the lowest.
It would be kewl if the actual numbers were posted when he gets the bill in a couple weeks.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/3/2009 8:00:42 AM
Author: jcarlylew

Date: 6/3/2009 6:40:10 AM

Author: crown1

Date: 6/2/2009 11:38:16 PM


Author: purrfectpear


I think Strm might be way high. I figure $600 for the ER, and around $500 per ultrasound. So under $2K I hope.

there was a thread here a month or so ago about a college student who went to the er for sore throat, stiff neck, etc. and the bill was over 2k. i think the er doc only prescribed otc meds. given that info i doubt this bill will be under 2k.

agreed. my broken foot was nearly 3000 before insurance. I was in a room for 4 hours, 2 x rays and the doctor poked my foot. not much was done and yet was still an arm and a ... leg

The prices are about 2x for no insurance compared to insurance costs.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 6/2/2009 9:57:44 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 6/2/2009 9:54:04 PM

Author: strmrdr

No, the doctors are in most states forbidden to discuss it even if they knew how much it was.

Ah.. yeah. Honestly, if a patient asked I would not even really know. I could guess, but that''s about it!


Fiery- FYI, a UTI in a male is quite unusual and DOES warrant further workup. They weren''t being completely ridiculous

Sometimes, when pts DON''T have insurance, we''re inclined to order more tests when they''re at the hospital, knowing that they won''t be able to get them as an outpatient.

I second all of Icekids statements

If someone asked me how much their bill was going to be I could not give them an answer. I wanted to add, in the ER, we sometimes often make decisions as we go. Sometimes people are in the exam room forever because we try a simple intervention and observe to see if it works. If it dosn''t, than they get a further workup or admitted.

I know when I was 22 I passed out due to dehydration, I was forced to go to the ED (I was in medical school so I was surrounded by doctors and had no choice). I got a fluid bolus, x-ray, EKG, and some labs. My Dad said the bill was $3000. My insurance covered all but the copay.

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 6/3/2009 10:46:43 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/3/2009 7:05:24 AM
Author: Deelight

Date: 6/2/2009 9:56:57 PM

Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/2/2009 3:47:01 PM


Author: fiery


I figured...




My brother has a UTI. I told him this at 8AM and told him to go to the pharmacy and get the OTC stuff to see if that works. But he decided to go to the ER. They've done two u/s and a bunch of other stuff just to tell him its a UTI. So now I'm wondering how much his bill is going to be (he has no insurance

)

my guess $6000 in most markets higher in a big city.

is that for real....?

lets break it down,,,
It will likely be billed as a level 2 ER visit: $2000 + 2x ultrasound at $800 each + another $500 or so for labs + $1000 to $1500 ER doc. $5100 to $5600 + misc stuff it is easy to hit $6k
They may have been nice and billed it as a basic ER visit which is around $1000
I doubt they would have billed it as a simple visit which is around $400-$600 and the lowest.
It would be kewl if the actual numbers were posted when he gets the bill in a couple weeks.

From what my brother tells me, they explained to him that it will all be billed as an ER visit. But he was there all day so I don't think they would just bill it as an ER visit. I'm crossing my fingers that they do.

I'll post the bill once it arrives but it'll probably be months, not weeks. My mom is just now getting her bill from the same hospital for work done last November

.

ETA: Forgot to mention to that he does have health insurance with the veteran's. The problem with this insurance though is that at the start of every school year, you have to send a school verification form in order for them to send over your insurance cards. We are trying to figure out if between the time you get out of school for the year and the time you submit your new verification, you are considered to be covered. If so, then he can submit the bill to them. If not...well, he'll be working for a long time to pay it off