Was misdiagnosed at hospital and had requests ignored, now billed $7000, help?

[dreamweaver]

Allright...give this guy a break.

I am a nurse in an ER. And I appreciate the patient informing me of the onset, duration and suspected causes of their problem. It helps me get a grip on what may be wrong with the patient. The words "I have no insurance" do have weight in NON EMERGENT problems. Where was the urinalysis??? A simple dip would of given a suspicion of a kidney stone. I tell ya...I can tell most of those guys by sight and they arn't saying that they have had that pain for days, weeks or months. IT HURTS!!! (NOT to say this didn't.

CT scans are often used when simple films will do. More rads mean a chance of problems later. If you told them no...it meant no. Simple. No CT.

All that said...I think I would go to the hospital and talk to the administrator first. Tell them you were VERY unhappy with your treatment, and resulting bill. Tell THEM what you feel is a reasonable compromise (this doesn't mean "free"). And promise to pay if you are satisfied. If the hospital refuses to cooperate, calmly tell them that your brother is the editor of the local newspaper, and they will be hearing from your lawyer. Good luck.

[cschin4]

All that said...I think I would go to the hospital and talk to the administrator first. Tell them you were VERY unhappy with your treatment, and resulting bill. Tell THEM what you feel is a reasonable compromise (this doesn't mean "free"). And promise to pay if you are satisfied. If the hospital refuses to cooperate, calmly tell them that your brother is the editor of the local newspaper, and they will be hearing from your lawyer.

Yes, let's threaten more lawsuits when his care was totally appropriate. And, since when do people get to decide for themselves what a "reasonable compromise" is? The service was rendered and care given. Payment should be made. Next time, explore other avenues before going to the ER.

[dreamweaver]

Well. Getting a lawyer doesn't always mean you are going to sue someone. Sometimes they are just better equiped to settle a dispute. I think there is a ton of room on this bill for compromise. And I also think the hospital will negotiate. Our hospital makes an automatic 30% reduction for bills payed with cash. Just the hospital knowing you don't have insurance sometimes makes them work a little harder to make it happen. As for appropriate care, I wasn't there....

[cschin4]

Why is it that people don't think that they need to pay their hospital bills? No wonder hospitals are closing. Our small town hospital recently declared bankruptcy and is now out of business.

[dreamweaver]

I didn't say not to pay the bill. But tegaderm is a clear piece of adhesive dressing about two inch square....picture saran wrap. T tube is a little connector about 4 inches long (plastic). Toradol is about 30.00 at our hospital. And I can inject it into the IV port for a hell of a lot less that 170.00. A ct scan (your cost) at our hospital is about 1300.00. Hospitals assume insurance and charge the maximum for services....and THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH HEALTHCARE in this country.

I also am self pay. I detatached my retina last year....went to specialist and had laser surgery....700.00 because I was self pay and whipped out my checkbook.

[cschin4]

You are an RN. How do you think your salary and benefits are paid? They could dress up illegal immigrants in scrubs to do the same thing for less?

[asmom]

Allright...give this guy a break.

I am a nurse in an ER. And I appreciate the patient informing me of the onset, duration and suspected causes of their problem. It helps me get a grip on what may be wrong with the patient. The words "I have no insurance" do have weight in NON EMERGENT problems. Where was the urinalysis??? A simple dip would of given a suspicion of a kidney stone. I tell ya...I can tell most of those guys by sight and they arn't saying that they have had that pain for days, weeks or months. IT HURTS!!! (NOT to say this didn't.

CT scans are often used when simple films will do. More rads mean a chance of problems later. If you told them no...it meant no. Simple. No CT.

All that said...I think I would go to the hospital and talk to the administrator first. Tell them you were VERY unhappy with your treatment, and resulting bill. Tell THEM what you feel is a reasonable compromise (this doesn't mean "free"). And promise to pay if you are satisfied. If the hospital refuses to cooperate, calmly tell them that your brother is the editor of the local newspaper, and they will be hearing from your lawyer. Good luck.

Dreamweaver, go back and read the OP. He did list a UA with micro.....apparently there was nothing there that suggested kidney stone, so they took the next step. It's hard to judge without knowing what an eyeball assessment showed as well as labs, vitals and complete history.

I agree with you that a refusal is a refusal but I have a hard time believing that he actually refused. When's the last time anybody showed up in your ER refusing treatment and you gave him everything he didn't ask for? I don't know about you but I don't have time to provide treatment somebody doesn't want.


Personally, I don't see why the hospital should compromise. He sought service and he got it. Now he doesn' want to pay. Well it doesn't and shouldn't work that way.