How To Review Your Hospital Bill

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.