30k ER bill a little too outrageous right?

[overchargeder]

What is the name of your state?CALIFORNIA

My fiance and I were in a car accident. I had medical insurance which is now being processed for my portion of the medical bills. My fiance does not have medical insurance. Right now I'm trying to see if my auto insurance (I was the driver) would cover his bills but in the mean time, he has a combined approx. $30,000 in medical-related bills alone. Apparently he was charged for the Fire Department response. He was charged $8,000 for the ER room. Another $12,000 for what looks like "Trauma Activation." The rest cat scans and x-rays. He was not admitted as an overnighter and was released after the cat scan came out clear.

Ironically, the only reason why he got checked out in the first place was because one of the emergency response members suggested since he was sufferring from aches that it could be internal bleeding, ergo the cat scans. It was a bad accident and considering the condition I was in (unconscious), and internal bleeding was harder to visually determine, I understand, it would have really sucked if he were to have died from internal bleeding, etc. I would have also been mad at him if he didn't get checked out too.

My concern is, is $30,000 an excessive number for a check-up?

 

[panzertanker]

My concern is, is $30,000 an excessive number for a check-up?

Nope, as you admit that it was a significant car accident (with you unconscious), the EMS/Fire Dept activation and the trauma team activation at the ER seem appropriate. Labs, xray, CT, time, IV's, etc. are not cheap. It sucks that he has no insurance, but he received appropriate care for the circumstances...

Have him go to the billing dept of the hosp and work out a payment plan.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

You were driving, doesn't your insurance have coverange for passengers? Why don't you look at your policy and check? Haven't you contacted your insurance company already? Was there another vehicle involved, what about their insurance claim? Who was at fault? If you were driving you are responsible for his medical bills, if they are not covered by insurance.

 

[purple2]

I am aware of no laws limiting the amount a healthcare provider can charge for their services. (BTW, what your fiance received is very, very far from being "just a check up". Medical assessments still cost $ even if they subsequently find nothing wrong.)

Billing health insurance for something that should rightly be paid by another insurer (auto) is highly inappropriate. Call the billing office and have them correct it.

 

[somarco]

Billing health insurance for something that should rightly be paid by another insurer (auto) is highly inappropriate.

Did I miss something?

Fiance' does not have health insurance (which is of course irresponsible). Even if a health carrier was involved subrogation would address that issue.