I just figured out all of my medical bills!

[Phentex]

Fractured my foot last year. Hospital bill was easy. Explanation of what they did, statement and claims filed quickly. Bill showed everything and I paid it.

The ortho and PT bills were a mess. They couldn't tell me what the charges would be at the time of the visits. They just said here's what you need to pay as a deductible. Different claims for the same visit. Bills showing full charges but not what the insurance company would allow. Slow claims in general. Absolutely no statement showing what *I* paid in deductibles. I got a handwritten receipt each time showing the payment for that visit but that was it.

The claims finally showed up on the insurance website (my former insurance I might add) so I was able to match up the charges with the claims. The only thing that still leaves me puzzled are charges for the first time I saw the ortho. There is charge for the exam, the treatment, and the boot. I don't understand what the treatment was. He looked at the xrays and said it's broken. Then they showed me how to put the boot on.

I've paid all the bills and it may not be worth the hassle of calling.

Also note for anyone doing PT in the future. Take your own ice pack so they don't charge you $55 to put a ziploc of ice on your foot for 10 minutes.

[Ohiogal]

1. The good old

American medical billing system. But, hey, we’re exceptional....

Glad it wasn’t worse and that you’re on the mend!

[Phentex]

4. Yes, people are running over the border

to get this quality treatment!

[SWBTATTReg]

2. $55 for an ice pack? Yikes! Thanks for the heads up and warning. NT

[Phentex]

5. The heat was a separate charge...

Good thing I didn't ask for a cup of water!

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Really! They probably would have charged you $75 or more for that! NT

[Sherman A1]

8. I noticed that too

WOW!

[erronis]

3. I worked for a group that was supposed to monitor prices/costs/charges (all different)

It is a wholly mess - partially intentional and partially because the practitioners/staff are inept.

Just had a variety of tests/procedures run through both commercial and Medicare. Part A/B/D. Supplemental (F). It's a nightmare.

My to-do list has held an item for a few years to get the actual medical records (my right) from each practitioner/supplier. Rarely get any records. My understanding is that they don't want these in patients' hands because of possible liability claims.

[Phentex]

7. We tried to get medical records for my husband

when our insurance changed and it was a headache. I thought electronic records were going to make things easier but I guess not.

[customerserviceguy]

9. Are you

an accountant, a lawyer, or both? That's pretty much what it takes these days.