Cut Your Hospital Bill In Half-Check For These Top 10 Hospital Billing Mistakes


by Michelle Katz - Date: 2007-02-12 - Word Count: 461 Share This!

Although it may seem a little tedious at first, checking your hospital bill as soon as you can against your records can save you hundreds. Below are 10 of the most common hospital billing errors to get you started in the process. As always, if you do not understand something, don not be afraid to ask the billing department to describe the charge in "your terms" or bring in a copy of the bill to your follow up appointment with your physician. He/she may be surprised about some of the charges!

1) Duplicate billing. Make sure you haven't been charged twice for the same service, supplies, or medications. 2) Duplication of tests. Be sure to ask the doctor the kind and frequency of blood tests, x-rays, and medical procedures you have to undergo. 3) Number of days in hospital. Check the dates of your admission and discharge. Were you charged for the discharge day? Most hospitals will charge for admission day, but not for the day of discharge. 4) Incorrect room charges. If you were in a semi-private room, make sure you're not being charged for a private room. 5) Operating-room time. It's not uncommon for hospitals to bill for more time than you actually used. Compare the charge with your anesthesiologist's records. 6) Up coding. Hospitals often shift the charge for a lower-cost service or medication to one that's more costly. For example, a doctor may order a generic drug, but you are charged for a pricier brand name. 7) Keystroke error. A computer operator accidentally hits the wrong key on a keyboard. This can cost you hundreds of dollars and result in an incorrect charge for a service you didn't get. 8) Canceled work. Your physician ordered an expensive test and then canceled it, but you were charged anyway. 9) Services never rendered. Did you get every service, treatment and medication for which you are being billed? Here's where your log will come in handy. 10) Erroneous charges. This could be a $90 charge for a 70-cent I.V or $82 for a "mucous recovery system" (otherwise known as a box of Kleenex).

If you find a mistake, contact the hospital's patient accounts or billing department and ask to talk to a supervisor immediately. Calmly explain the errors you found, and ask the person to correct the mistakes and acknowledge the corrections in writing with an "effective date." Do not let them assume your insurance company will cover the bill. Ultimately, you will be paying for it in the end. If you are unable to resolve the billing dispute in a timely manner, be sure to make copies and send your complaint in writing with a copy of the bill to the Office of Consumer Affairs of you State's Attorney General's Office.


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