Wellness

[ScrapHappy]

My medical bills are coming in from the hospital since having surgery.  The hospital is now charging a facility charge.  So, I had a facility charge on my surgery day.  I also had some tests, like nuclear medicine prior and had facility charge for that.  The facility charge doesn't include the cost of the test(s)/surgery itself.  The facility charge for my surgery day alone was $1500.  I was outpatient surgery and was there 4 hours. 

[Winkk]

I'm assuming you have insurance to cover this.  If there are any questionable charges they should be the ones who reviews them.

[Still Raining]

Do you have prior bills where it was not charged?  

Perhaps this just proves that the chargemaster is up to date.

[cjm61]

@ScrapHappy That sounds crazy. I haven't heard of that kind of charge.

@Winkk No, the insurance company doesn't and isn't required to check the detailed charges. When my husband broke his back years ago he was bedridden for a few weeks. He had plenty of time to go through every detail of his medical charges. One in particular was an $1,800 charge for the drill used to do his surgery. He called the hospital and basically was told that is how much the drill costs. He said if he paid $1,800 for a drill he wanted that drill. They told him not to worry his insurance would pay it. He pushed and pushed, adamantly stating he would not allow insurance to pay if he did not receive this amazing drill. After all, a drill that expensive must be incredible. Well, that charge was ultimately removed and he never got the drill. 

[Carmie]

Facility medical fees are always charged seperate from professional fees.

Wait until you see how many professionals were involved.  Most are not hospital employees and they bill their own fees.

I hope you have insurance.  

[DrakesMomma]

Having 20+ years experience in medical billing, a facility fee in this situation is standard.  

[Carmie]

@cjm61   A surgical drill is not the same as what you can buy from a hardware store.  They also have to be sterilized before each use and stored properly. There is more to it that causes the high cost.

All hospital bills that are itemized and will show the costs for equipment, drugs, supplies, facility use, room for stays, operation room, surgical equipment and the list goes on.

What most people don't know is the hospital is under contract to receive a certain amount of money for inpatient services and out patient services.  They will get that amount no matter if their charges are higher or lower than the contracted rate.

I was shocked when I saw a hospital bill at work, ( I worked in health insurance) where the hospital received thousands more than their actual billing.  I reported it for review.  Then I got the explanation. Hospitals are paid per diem, not per itemized charges.

[Desertdi]

Yup...that "facility charge" is like RENT on the operating room.    (I had to pay mine in ADVANCE when I had my cataracts done.)

[cindyNC]

It sounds like flat rate charges for car repair.   My exhusband used to be a Toyota mechanic.   He was paid the same amount per repair type no matter how long it took (rather than receiving an hourly salary).........so the faster he worked, they more repairs he did in a day, the more $$$ he made. 

[DSD2]

@cjm61 I so admire and applaud your husband for taking a stand!

Good for him! I wish more of us had his resolve.