Fighting a hospital bill (updated it's being paid!)

Back in May I was hospitalized when I was 6mths pg because I was having pre term contractions. Due to my diagnosis a neonatologist was called in to consult to discuss what might happen if I deliver which thankfully I didn't. I was doped up on high levels of magnesium and barely remember him coming in but he talked to me an DH for all of about 5mins from what I remember. I found out later that this Dr. did not take my insurance and now I have a bill for $550 from him. Had I known he didn't take my ins. I would have refused this consult as I don't even remember what he said anyway Is there anyway to fight this or is this just an expensive lesson I have to learn?

ETA: I work for this hospital so you would think they would employ doctors who accept the insurance they offer to their employees!!

Message edited 10/5/2006 3:06:39 PM.

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

Posted by Disneygirl

Back in May I was hospitalized when I was 6mths pg because I was having pre term contractions. Due to my diagnosis a neonatologist was called in to consult to discuss what might happen if I deliver which thankfully I didn't. I was doped up on high levels of magnesium and barely remember him coming in but he talked to me an DH for all of about 5mins from what I remember. I found out later that this Dr. did not take my insurance and now I have a bill for $550 from him. Had I known he didn't take my ins. I would have refused this consult as I don't even remember what he said anyway Is there anyway to fight this or is this just an expensive lesson I have to learn?

ETA: I work for this hospital so you would think they would employ doctors who accept the insurance they offer to their employees!!

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

When I used to work in a hospital, they "washed" anything that wasn't covered, I wonder if they would do that for you

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

I hate when they do this. I would maybe call the doctor (or whoever sent you the bill) and let them know that you didn't ask for his services especially when it's not covered under your insurance. He should either wipe it out entirely or take what your insurance might pay him (out-of-network?).

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

Message edited 10/9/2006 8:34:18 PM.

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

this is a tough one.

there is a procedure code used to bill insurance. Each code has certain parameters that have to be met (according to guidelines)

5 minutes seems VERY short for a $550 bill...however they are hard to dispute.

I would look up the code online, and see if it seems "kosher" with what you were going for.

usually ins. is taken into consideration, but sometimes it can't be. I would also talk to you ins. co and see if you can come up with some kind of a deal bet. you, the ins. co. and the doctor. maybe you can find out what the pay out would have been to a doc IN your plan, and start from there...

good luck.

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

I work for a hospital also. I used to work for a doc that participated in no insurance companies but still had to see inpatients. We got paid as in-network b/c we saw the pt as an inpatient and we used the pre-cert number that the hospital got when they had to call the insurance to tell them they admitted someone. My understanding is the precert the hospital gets is supposed to cover all evals and procedures that are done while the patient is an inpatient.

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

if your stay was precertified for the hospital, then the doctor is generally under the same precert#. call your insurance company to find out. but generally, they do not just Write off anything if the dr is not par (because theres usually papers that you sign when youre admitted that state that you would accept responsibility for anything thats not covered by your insurance).

you should have already received an Explanation of benefits from your insurance company though... which would explain your responsibility--- but def call them anyway.

Re: Fighting a hospital bill

Update: Well I called the billing dept to complain and apparently the bill was reprocessed by ins. co. I just checked the ins. website and it says: We Have Received More Information And Reconsidered These Charges. %paid by plan = 100%!