The dad took his toddler to the ER due to a tummy ache that went away on its own but the dad was swept away by the whopping cost he had to pay for almost nothing.
With the economy in turmoil, even essential medical care is becoming unaffordable. Joe Benson was shocked to receive a bill of over $4,000 after taking his son to the ER. His 3-year-old was in distress, and fearing appendicitis, they rushed to the hospital. “Fear was appendicitis but after 45 minutes of moaning, he burped for 5 seconds and was fine so we asked to leave. The bill? $4,179. WHAT?!” Benson shared in disbelief.
Despite the lack of major medical intervention, the dad was charged an enormous amount. He called the hospital to understand the charges but ended up even more baffled. “Here's the breakdown: $2,215 - ‘The visit,’ $740 - 2-minute visit with the doctor. $1,224 - ‘Standard’ nurse's swab of my son's throat and nostrils for covid/strep test. $0.07 - Tylenol (how generous)” the dad scoffed.
Still unsatisfied, the dad continued to communicate with the hospital. “I proceed to tell them (politely) that the same ‘tests’ are $50 at a pharmacy down the road and they weren't even related to my son's symptoms,” he wrote. The dad urged the staff to check whether there was some mistake but they were adamant about the whopping amount. To the dad’s relief, he was a member of a healthcare organization and remembered that he could avail of a discount. “I tell her we're technically ‘cash pay’ (we are members of a healthcare sharing organization) and ask if there is a cash-pay discount. She says, ‘Yes. Let me calculate it for you.’ Cash pay price: $685 total,” the dad wrote.
Although he avoided a huge expense, the dad was still shocked by his experience. “I can't help but think, this is why millions are paying insane amounts in insurance premiums every month. ERs/hospitals are out of control,” he exclaimed. The dad also attached a picture of the bill which cited the breakdown of the big amount just as he had mentioned. Many were taken aback by the rash amounts thrown at patients for basic treatment. @markkasaurus wrote, “They are extracting as much as they can from insurance; insurance does not provide any benefit, it merely escalates these schemes where the loser is the patient (who wastes their time and money) as they're ping-ponged between the healthcare and insurance providers.”
I had surgery 2 years ago, spent 2 nights in the hospital. Bill? 190k.
— high-powered mutant of some kind (@amandatoryfigs) June 11, 2024
I’d already met my deductible and OOP max so I only had a copay, but Jesus Christ, the numbers are all made up and the dollars don’t matter.
Last time my dad had surgery he was in the hospital for 2 nights.
— Bryan Sparks (@TheGingerRoofer) June 10, 2024
On the final insurance bill he got a copy of they charged him PER Kleenex he used… like somehow they counted all of them (I’m not even surprised)
@jpohank exclaimed, “I went to urgent care for the flu a few weeks ago… They charged $800 for the visit and flu test. Our medical system is out of control.” @wwarreneng recalled, “When my brother was found unresponsive at home, 911 was called and an ambulance was dispatched. They pronounced him dead and left. $1200 bill arrived a couple of weeks later.” @coolmomjamie exclaimed, “My hospital bill after giving birth had a fee for me holding my own baby.”
Had to take my 3 yr old son to the ER last week.
— Joe Benson (@joebensonx) June 10, 2024
Fear was appendicitis but after 45 min of moaning he burped for 5 seconds & was fine🤦♂️so we asked to leave.
The bill? $4,179 😵💫 WHAT?!
I called the hospital billing dept. You won't believe how this ends.
Here's the breakdown:… pic.twitter.com/9dgE4iQq5o
This article originally appeared 4 months ago.