Uncategorized

Overcharged 38000% !!!

Pretty Grumpy in NC writes in :

I am writing this letter as a complaint about medical charges from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, which I think is excessive.

I would like to point out that I got excellent care during my stay at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. I am questioning charges in total of $763.50. I received my bill for my hospital stay for surgery on June 10, 2013. I noticed a charge categorized as “Cast Room” of $763.50. I called the billing department and asked for an itemized bill.

I received the itemized bill and discovered that the “Cast Room” bill was really a daily charge of $254.50 for “Basic Frame with trapeze”. I called about this charge and learned that it was the bar above the bed attached to foot of bed to the head of the bed along with a trapeze handle. This item is used to help get up out of bed.

I think these charges are excessive.

I contacted a local home health equipment company to see what the charge would be if I rented this piece of equipment, and they told me the same item is $20 per month! This just seems unbelievable that a hospital can charge over 38000% above the price I can get this equipment for my home.

I had similar surgery in 2009 there is no entry on this EOB for “Other Services” as in the current EOB.
I only used this trapeze to get out of bed the first day of my hospital stay. I would have appreciated the therapist who did my therapy, and observed that I was not using it on day 2 & 3, to ask me if I needed this piece of equipment on my bed. If I would have known I was charged this excessive amount per day, I would have said “no, go ahead and take it off”.

I accept paying an initial charge for the equipment since they had an employee come to my room and install the equipment, but a daily charge of this amount? I have paid my bill including one day of the $254.50 realizing this as a possible charge for labor, and the use of this piece of equipment for the first day, even though it took the employee less than an hour to put the equipment on the bed.
 

Also, I am surprised the insurance company would accept this charge for this piece of equipment. My EOB shows my insurance company accepted $458.10 of this charge, this is unbelievable!

I received a reply from the hospital billing that my procedure was billed under a DRG(diagnosis related group) methodology and basically this billing was a “package deal” and whether I used the equipment or not, it is still billed.

They basically said they could not reimburse because of this methodology.

The letter also stated that I am responsible for this charge.
How can a hospital get away with charging this much for a piece of equipment?

79 replies »

  1. If some one wishes expert view concerning blogging
    after that i propose him/her to pay a visit this webpage, Keep
    up the good job.

  2. Hi there I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Bing for something else,
    Regardless I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a incredible post
    and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it
    and also added iin your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back too read
    much more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  3. What’s up every one, here every one is sharing these know-how, so it’s good to
    read this webpage, and I used to pay a quick visit this web site everyday.

  4. ‘Because they are hidden, people don’t often understand
    that there can be anywhere from 30 to 40 microprocessors in most
    cars and even up to 100 different ones running differet functions in some vehicles,’ says Stephan A.

    Some sites wouldn’t give me a quote at all withot more information, like a social seurity number or driver’s license number.

    If youu still have some puzzle, we can talk about it together.

    Also visit my wweb site – the My Online Business

  5. To get a short period of period, the colour of the particular variety of bricks is likely to
    be demonstrated on each stage. When you are questioned, try and recall along with of every
    brick. it continues to be restricted, although fOR RESULTS Exam is hardly useless.
    To actually enhance your head, join the brain teaching assistance.
    I take advantage of Lumosity every day, and it works.
    A procedure takes about 15 minutes per day. It’s a highly effective, pleasant method to preserve your mind sharp.

  6. Can I just say what a relief to discover someone who genuinely understands what they’re talking about on thee net.

    You actually realize how to bring a problem to lighgt and make
    it important. A lot more people must lookk at this and understand
    this side of your story. It’s surprising you
    are not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.

  7. you are actually a just right webmaster. The website loading
    velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
    Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a
    great process on this subject!

  8. At this time it seems like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now.

    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using
    on your blog?

  9. To determine how much cloth you want, measure your waist, (within the
    place where you need the skirt to take a seat…i like mine
    at my excessive waist, so that’s the measurements i took).

  10. Generally I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to
    say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so!

    Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very
    nice post.

  11. Sleeping Dogs Game Review At first this game puzzled
    me because I thought it was set in America. A lot of people are speaking
    in American accents. But it turns out Hong Kong is it’s actual setting
    (there’s even a British guy in there as well.) Spotting the genuine Asian person is the challenge.
    Anyway that doesn’t really matter, my job is to
    give you a game reviews light sprinkle of words and wisdom as to whether or not you should buy the game, so we shall begin. Straight away it gives signs
    of being heavily story orientated which is a good thing in my opinion! I like the story, I’m not going to give a big break down of
    the whole thing because that’s what makes Game Reviews long and I don’t want to spoil things for
    you. But, the story gets a thumbs up from me. I’ll talk about the things which I like about Sleeping Dogs, first off there is a pretty nifty game mechanic where you have 2 different
    experience systems. You gain experience as a cop and as a
    triad (saying cops and triads shouldn’t be a spoiler, you should be aware of this.) So you gain experience as a cop by completing undercover cop cases and not killing innocents and wrecking the place.
    You level up as a triad by beating down bad guys
    and the usual gang related things. I really like the
    combat though, the fist-fighting seems quite fluid and I actually get beaten a lot of the time which to me,
    shows that the combat is a challenge (which not a lot of games are these days.) The developers have done
    well to keep weapons out of your hands as much as possible.
    So you do have to fight with your fists most of the time, it makes
    a refreshing change from every man and his dog packing heat in other games.
    Things I don’t like so much about the game include – the graphics, they’re OK but that’s as good as they get.
    Also some of the driving controls are very unrealistic.
    I get that they wanted to put some extreme stuff in there, like hijacking cars by jumping out of one and into the other, fine.
    But ramming other cars is just plain bad, there’s a button to ram car’s
    and when you press the button you seem to get a boost of speed in the
    direction of the car you want to ram. I mean ANY direction, even if it’s parallel
    to your car, it’s bad design in my opinion. Finally the only other gripe I have is
    the fact that every female you meet in Sleeping Dogs
    wants to be intimate with you as soon as they meet you.
    Now I’ve heard a few things about Hong Kong but this is just starting to look like
    Bangkok. Video Game Review Conclusion Overall I think its a
    good game, you’ll get a lot of hours of game play
    for your money and it’s very entertaining with a good story.

  12. That is really fascinating, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and sit up for seeking
    more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my
    social networks

  13. If you wish for to improve your know-how only keep visiting this
    website and be updated with the hottest news update posted here.

  14. 私はオフトピック場合は、これを知っているが、私は自分の始めに探していますブログをと好奇心したすべてが必要な取得するには?私はあなたのようなブログはかなりの費用がかかるだろう持つと仮定している?私は今ではない、非常にウェブ精通ので、私は100%ではないんだ一定。どれ提案やアドバイスをいただければ幸いです。 感謝を
    モンクレール ズボン メンズ http://fcsjourneys.brinkster.net/include/moncler/20141103201923-20ch3y7.html

  15. Admiring the persistence you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
    Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your
    RSS feeds to my Google account.

  16. オンラインのそれほどではない読者は正直に言うとが、あなたのサイト本当に素晴らしい、それを維持する!私が先に行くと、あなたのブックマークう|将来、戻ってきてサイトサイトを。 すべてのベスト

  17. Heya Je suis pour la première fois ici .
    Je suis tombé sur trouvé ce forum et je trouve cela vraiment
    vraiment utile et il m’a aidé beaucoup beaucoup .
    Je l’espère de donner quelque chose en retour
    et aide d’autres comme vous a aidé me .

  18. But, it dries when the woods face direct sunlight and the furniture becomes completely exposed
    to the natural elements. Choosing a furniture with geometric shapes is also ideal if you
    want to make it look simple. Fr xmpl, the standard lyut
    allows yu to hv a 3-2-1 ‘.

  19. hello!,I really like your writing so so much!
    percentage we keep in touch more approximately your article
    on AOL? I require an expert on this area to solve my
    problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to look you.

  20. Going to shopping malls is a good experience but it involves a lot of time
    and also from time to time there are fewer offers where we have to pay more than the necessary amount.
    A Computer Data Backup service is one that allows you and your company to save a back up of your data in a secure location. boom beach One many systems
    you just click on the users name and the option pops up.

  21. We are a bunch of volunteers and opening
    a brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful information to work on. You have performed a formidable activity and
    our whole neighborhood will be thankful to you.

  22. Wow, incredible weblog layout! How long have you ever been blogging
    for? you make running a blog look easy. The entire look
    of your website is great, let alone the content material!

  23. Definitely imagine that which you stated. Your favourite reason seemed to be on the web
    the easiest factor to understand of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as people think about issues that they plainly don’t recognize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as neatly as defined out
    the whole thing with no need side-effects , people can take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thank you

  24. t be embarrassed, the division on the website is just to create order in it; it certainly doesn. Combat games that involve lot of action and weaponry
    are more popular among teenagers and youngsters. With this in mind, you need to make sure you choose the
    best website.

  25. We are a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You
    have performed an impressive activity and our entire neighborhood shall be thankful to you.

  26. you’re really a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace
    is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have done a wonderful
    task on this topic!

  27. Excellent items from you, man. I’ve be aware
    your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful.
    I actually like what you’ve obtained right here,
    really like what you’re stating and the way in which you assert
    it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I can’t wait to learn far more from you. That is actually a great website.

  28. Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  29. Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga
    group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.

    Please let me know. Thanks

  30. I got this web page from my buddy who told me concerning this web site and now this time I am browsing this site and reading very informative content at
    this place.

  31. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for
    such info a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  32. Today furniture makes our lives easier and convenient.
    It is popular worldwide due to its attractive nature.
    Cool color type of furniture such as pink, grey, white and natural shades will suit
    bright room while warm color type of furniture such as red,
    red violet, yellow, black and orange is suitable for a
    dull room.

  33. What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled
    upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
    I hope to contribute & aid other customers like its helped me.
    Good job.

  34. After spending the time and money to have a surgeon help you get on a
    healthier path, it is important to protect that investment and do
    what you can to keep that surgery working for you and not against you.
    If you follow them, they can make a huge difference in your weight,
    how you look in your clothes and how you feel about yourself.
    In 2012, she regained her slim pre-pregnancy body just three months after giving birth to son Camden.

  35. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and
    let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it
    in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.

  36. I was suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this
    publish is written via him as no one else recognise such particular about my trouble.
    You are wonderful! Thanks!

  37. Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, as this this web site conations in fact fastidious funny data too.

  38. Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you
    if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward
    to new posts.

  39. Richard to Groopman: We understand, it certainly doesn’t matter scientifically in case it is the cancer and
    not the chemo. A head gasket failure results in a leak,
    which in turn produces white smoke. When your home or business
    establishment has been affected by fire or its
    aggregate damages like soot, smoke and fire
    retardants, it is best to consult or hire
    a professional smoke odor removal company to assist you in effectively handling the problem.