Some of U may remember me cutting my finger.
And getting a bill from Columbia Hospital of West Palm Beach.Well.... Today i receive a SECOND bill, for "Dr.Services".To the tune of another $771.For a total of $1,600.00!![B)] FOR 9, count'em 9 stinking stitches!! Well,,,, i sure hope that bill is negotiable, cuz, i ain't payin it! The "Dr." that stitched me up wasn't even a Dr. He was a "STUDENT", and told me so.(had another"Dr." coming by about every 20 min. to see how he was doing)I thought the original $900 was a bit STEEP, now it's $1600?....I don't think so...
0
-
and everyone makes fun of me for stitching myself up 0 -
Unreal how expensive that is.
If you have a low income then you might qualify for charity care at that hospital. You have to ask about it, they won't tell you about it.0 -
man, why didnt you put on a fake accent and say you didnt have any money!..would have got free treatment if you said you were an illegal immigrant![:D]..you got to learn how to play the system. 0 -
Box of instant Mashed Potatoes to stop the bleeding and dry the wound. (Google that if you like. Military has been using it for years.)
One tube of Super Glue to sow up the wound once bleeding has stopped and the wound dried.
Total cost. Less than $4.00.0 -
6 months ago I cut my thumb from the center of my finger print through the tip and half way back down my finger nail. We used 6 butterflies to squeeze it back together and I cant get over how well it has healed. Awsome scar and finger nail is complete again. You can buy a hell of a lot of peroxide and butterflies for $1600. 0 -
Mom says when you went into ER you sign a paper saying a student doc can work on you. 0 -
Wife is home now, and has pulled out all the bills and reciets(sp).Seems the Hosp. billing Dept. is attempting to,"DOUBLE-BILL" me on EVERYTHING!!I like all your advice and tactics, and believe me ,I WILL KEEP THEM IN MIND FOR FURTHER REFERENCE!!
I fear, the ONLY way i will get to the bottom of this MESS, is going to be to go to the billing office, at the Hospital, and hash it out with them, IN PERSON and with all bills and reciets.Mother-BLEENER!!!Thos PEEVES-ME-OVER!!!We're talking about a 1" cut on a finger-tip, and 9 STINKIN STITCHES!! So-what if it was to the bone....No wonder nobody pays'em!![:(!]0 -
I cut my thumb on its side down to the bone not too long ago. On the diagonal, total cut length of about 3/4". I refused to go for stitches but it could have used 3 or 4 I'm sure. Nope. Put a tournequit- a little one- on at the base of the thumb for 15 minutes. Held a stiptic pencil (the thing you use to stop a shaving cut from bleeding on it) the whole time, then bandaged it tight and took the tournequit off. Still bled through. Held it up in the air for 20, 30 minutes, finally stopped....took about 8 weeks to heal, have a scar- but no stitch scars.
Basically unless it is flopping or on the trunk of my body/face/etc. or is really really huge I won't go for stitches- but anyhow.
On to the bill: hospitals are usually surprisingly willing to work with you and do an installment plan, reduce costs, etc. I'd talk to them first. A buddy who ran up a $50k bill in an accident w/o health insurance only had to pay $18k out of pocket after chatting with the hospital- they overcharge figuring the insurance company will pay but if you peg them on actual cost, it is usually less.0 -
Years ago, a girl I used to date/live with got bitten by a cat. Her hand swelled up pretty bad, and she had to go to the hospital. They gave her an iv with powerful antibiotics, and then a couple of big antibiotic pills to take over the next few days. At one point, a Dr came into the room and asked to see her hand. He looked at it for about 2 seconds and said, "well, this isn't going to need any plastic surgery to fix." When we got the bill, there was a plastic surgery consultation fee on it for $600. F--- them. [:(!] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
Wife is home now, and has pulled out all the bills and reciets(sp).Seems the Hosp. billing Dept. is attempting to,"DOUBLE-BILL" me on EVERYTHING!!I like all your advice and tactics, and believe me ,I WILL KEEP THEM IN MIND FOR FURTHER REFERENCE!!
I fear, the ONLY way i will get to the bottom of this MESS, is going to be to go to the billing office, at the Hospital, and hash it out with them, IN PERSON and with all bills and reciets.Mother-BLEENER!!!Thos PEEVES-ME-OVER!!!We're talking about a 1" cut on a finger-tip, and 9 STINKIN STITCHES!! So-what if it was to the bone....No wonder nobody pays'em!![:(!]
Double billing is QUITE common with hospitals and medical centers. It is less common with a doctors office.0 -
Somebody has to pay for all the lawsuits against doctors. Drs really do not make very much considering the amount of education they have. Most will negotiate a bill down to 1/2 or less especially if they know you do not have insurance. Talk to them! 0 -
... let's see now.
Why isn't it that we don't have National Health Care? My I add, the ONLY industrialized
country that doesn't.
[:o)][:o)][:o)]0 -
scotch tape, or if it's really bad duct tape
quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
And getting a bill from Columbia Hospital of West Palm Beach.Well.... Today i receive a SECOND bill, for "Dr.Services".To the tune of another $771.For a total of $1,600.00!![B)] FOR 9, count'em 9 stinking stitches!! Well,,,, i sure hope that bill is negotiable, cuz, i ain't payin it! The "Dr." that stitched me up wasn't even a Dr. He was a "STUDENT", and told me so.(had another"Dr." coming by about every 20 min. to see how he was doing)I thought the original $900 was a bit STEEP, now it's $1600?....I don't think so...0 -
quote:Originally posted by dan kelly
man, why didnt you put on a fake accent and say you didnt have any money!..would have got free treatment if you said you were an illegal immigrant![:D]..you got to learn how to play the system.
Si!0 -
Two words...SUPER GLUE.... 0 -
It's official, after an hour of negotiation, i got the ER bill lowered by $334, the Dr. bill is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
So, 9 stitches/$1200=$133.33 per stitch [xx(]
It'll be SUPER-GLUE next time,U can bet your BIPPY!0 -
when i go to the emergency room in california i give them a fake name and address. i figured since all of the illegal aliens do it and receive free health care that i should get some too since i actually pay taxes. my medical bills are much lower now. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by zipperzap
... let's see now.
Why isn't it that we don't have National Health Care? My I add, the ONLY industrialized
country that doesn't.
[:o)][:o)][:o)]
Some body has to be smarter than the rest of the Lemmings or Lemmings would be no more. Government is NEVER, EVER, NEVER, SQUARED by a GOOGLEPLEX the answer to social or business issues.0 -
quote:Originally posted by zipperzap
... let's see now.
Why isn't it that we don't have National Health Care? My I add, the ONLY industrialized
country that doesn't.
[:o)][:o)][:o)]
Amen to that. Whoops, I slipped and made a religious faux pas.[:I]0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
quote:Originally posted by zipperzap
... let's see now.
Why isn't it that we don't have National Health Care? My I add, the ONLY industrialized
country that doesn't.
[:o)][:o)][:o)]
Some body has to be smarter than the rest of the Lemmings or Lemmings would be no more. Government is NEVER, EVER, NEVER, SQUARED by a GOOGLEPLEX the answer to social or business issues.
What about national defense? Do you think private contractors should provide our military?0 -
Is there any wonder why so many people are turning away from capitalism? We just can't win for losing.
Good Lord, $1600.00 for nine stitches! Criminal.0 -
You guys keep me in stitches. 0 -
[:D] 0 -
I cut my finger on Christmas night and refused to go get stiches. It's just now getting healed. Hurts a little and is a little numb on top but it still works[:D] 0 -
I ran construction crews for 20 yrs never sent a man to the hosp. everybody said i did the best stitchen around. I even sewed myself up.
gotta be carful because you can get infections using superglue. and if you going to tape it use electrical tape. much easier to work with0 -
Ok, do I have this right? Are you saying fishkiller41 is a big girl? That's just mean.[:D] 0 -
electrical tape works wonders been there done that......dont ask it involved lots of tequila and me being a little ornery one night long time ago[:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by slipgate
Somebody has to pay for all the lawsuits against doctors. Drs really do not make very much considering the amount of education they have. Most will negotiate a bill down to 1/2 or less especially if they know you do not have insurance. Talk to them!
Yep. And in my income range I am in no position to argue in favor of high doctor/hospital bills, but part of the charges is not just for doing the work, but for being there when you desperately need them..
Everybody be careful asking for socialized (govt. provided) medical insurance/care. Sure, I guess it works in some countries, but we are not those countries. We already have a few "socialized" or govt. provided services. The US Postal Service for one. And while it is usually pretty good, it will never be as responsive to the customers/citizens as a private company like UPS or FedEx. That is just how things work. And it would work the same way if we all have to sign up for federal medical coverage.
Another socialized or govt. provided "service" is your US government. We citizens basically chose and pay "professionals" to run our country. That basially is socialized management. We all know how crappy that works for us.
Watch out for any nationwide, forced, medical/insurance plan with no choice of opting out. Otherwise, Hillary and Billary will be deciding what medical care you and your family need (they will treat their powerful friends better than they treat you ) and when or if you will get it.
JMHO0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
Is there any wonder why so many people are turning away from capitalism? We just can't win for losing.
Good Lord, $1600.00 for nine stitches! Criminal.
I was told by an older, wiser person than i, many years ago that, and i quote.
"As long as you are making an effort to pay a creditor, no matter how small the payment,(within reason)And can proove you have been paying, you, or your credit rating cannot be legaly harmed".
I hope it's true, because i'm only gonna send them $50 each,Per Month, until it's paid-off.0 -
quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
quote:Originally posted by kimi
Is there any wonder why so many people are turning away from capitalism? We just can't win for losing.
Good Lord, $1600.00 for nine stitches! Criminal.
I was told by an older, wiser person than i, many years ago that, and i quote.
"As long as you are making an effort to pay a creditor, no matter how small the payment,(within reason)And can proove you have been paying, you, or your credit rating cannot be legaly harmed".
I hope it's true, because i'm only gonna send them $50 each,Per Month, until it's paid-off.
That is not true. I was a credit counselor for 5 years and I have seen this first hand. You probably can work it out to something per month, usually 3% of the balance. But if you do not work out anything officially, and just start paying, you will get a 30, 60, 90, 120 day notices and eventually they will turn this over to a collection agency. Best to work out the payment plan in advance.
Now if you don't, and pay as you suggested, and it ever goes to court, they will get a judgement, but the court will allow you to continue to make payments as you have been and may even remove any late/collection fees that have ever been added.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
37 comments