Hospital Billing
When will I receive my hospital bill?
You'll receive your hospital bill usually within two weeks of discharge, but also be aware of the fact that you may receive separate bills from the medical specialists who took care of you in addition to your hospital bill.
How can I learn about my hospital's billing practices?
During the pre-admission process, you can begin to ask and should ask questions about the hospital's billing practice. You can also consult with the hospital financial counselors, while you are in the hospital if you are up to it, or after your discharge. If you don't have insurance and want to apply for assistance, the hospital will help you do so. If you have limited insurance and may not be able to pay your portion of the bill in full, you may still qualify for such assistance. You can always ask the hospital for a discount and you can always ask the hospital for assistance in meeting your financial obligations.
Will my hospital give me a discount on my bill?
Discounts for hospital bills are possible when a patient has a large financial balance and has the financial capacity to satisfy the bill in one payment. In that instance, the hospital may very well be amenable to a discount in order to clear the account from its books and records.
How do I review my hospital bill?
You'll receive your hospital bill usually within two weeks of discharge - but also be aware of the fact that you may receive separate bills from the medical specialist who take care of you, in addition to your hospital bill. Check the dates on the bill to make sure they coincide with the dates you were in the hospital. Count the number of room nights you were charged for and compare them with the number of room nights on your bill. If you know you had surgery on a specific day, check to see that the operating room charges are billed on the same date. If there are any abbreviations that you do not understand, call the billing office and ask that they be explained to you - but be aware that a very detailed analysis of the hospital bill is usually beyond the capabilities of most individuals. If you wish to have this done, there are consultants who specialize in this area. The most common hospital billing mistake is double billing - that is an item that should only be entered once is entered twice.
How can I get help with questions about my hospital bill?
A hospital bill can most effectively be reviewed by a nursing consultant who specializes in hospital billing issues. They compare hospital charges to entries on the medical record, and follow it through the entire process to identify any areas of over billing, mis-billing, or even under-billing in some in some instances. If you find an error in your hospital bill, contact the hospital's billing office. They will be happy to research your complaint, and if indeed there is an error, they will be happy to send you a corrected bill.
