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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 793 total posts
Name:
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
A couple of months ago my year old daughter had a high fever on a Thursday, but she was eating and acting normally, so we decided to just monitor the situation. That Sunday her fever was minor but she was very quiet and didn't want to eat. We called the answering service for her pediatrician and we were told to bring her to the ER.
We went to the ER and she was examined by a doctor, when we told the doctor that she just turned 1 and had her 1 year vaccinations, the doctor said that the fever was caused by the vaccination and not to worry.
Fast forward a month and we get a bill for over $4,000!
$300 - physician's fee
$200 - urine test (they tested to see if she had an infection)
$180 - copay
$3800 - facility fee for using the hospital (insurance knocked it down to $3,600 as the negotiated fee, lol)
Since we have a high deductible plan (learned our lesson) none of this is covered by insurance.
I was expecting a $500 fee, and I was fine with that, but I think the amount charged is crazy.
I called my insurance company and was told:
The billing is done correctly (all they can do is handle the billing, they have nothing to do with the amount billed)
I am responsible for everything since I did not reach my deductible
I called the hospital and they say that is the normal fee for using the facility
I always hear people say they called the hospital and got their bills lowered, how did you accomplish this?
Thank you
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Posted 9/8/15 4:03 PM  |
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MrsB12614
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1986 total posts
Name:
Mrs
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
My mom works at a hospital sometimes depends on the hospital I would call and say you can't afford it but want to pay is there anyway to lower the bill and set up a payment plan? When your willing to work with them they are usually willing to work with you. Good luck!
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| Posted 9/8/15 4:08 PM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 793 total posts
Name:
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Is there a specific department?
I originally looked on their website and found a number for billing questions and it lead to some third party company who does the billing who basically said "that's the cost, deal with it"
Thanks
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| Posted 9/8/15 4:12 PM |
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MrsB12614
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1986 total posts
Name:
Mrs
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Call their billing department if they can't help you call the number on the bill
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| Posted 9/8/15 4:35 PM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
What hospital?
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| Posted 9/8/15 5:49 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
all the time. call billing office and tell them you cant pay that amount and see what they say.
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| Posted 9/8/15 6:30 PM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by MrsB12614
My mom works at a hospital sometimes depends on the hospital I would call and say you can't afford it but want to pay is there anyway to lower the bill and set up a payment plan? When your willing to work with them they are usually willing to work with you. Good luck!
Agreed.
I also know most big hospital systems should have a grievance dept. you can contact if you feel like you are not getting a response from the billing dept.
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| Posted 9/8/15 7:22 PM |
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an9elic
♥ HJ ♥
Member since 6/07 3331 total posts
Name:
kristen
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
I wasn't able to get the price lowered, but was able to set up a payment plan and made really small monthly payments until I could afford to pay it off entirely. They should be able to do that for you. Good luck! 
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| Posted 9/8/15 7:42 PM |
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RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3999 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by an9elic
I wasn't able to get the price lowered, but was able to set up a payment plan and made really small monthly payments until I could afford to pay it off entirely.
We did this for an ER visit.
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| Posted 9/8/15 8:32 PM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
I've had this happen. I've let it go to collections before it hits my credit. Call the collection co,upon receipt of their initial letter. They always chop off at least 30-40%, especially if you pay the bulk of it or pay in full while you're on the phone with them. I've also done it with them where I made 2 payments at a huge discount.
Message edited 9/8/2015 8:39:07 PM.
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| Posted 9/8/15 8:38 PM |
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
I wish I had advice though I think you got some good leads. It just beyond all things infuriates me that in the US a family with health insurance can accumulate so much debt by simply caring for their child. With a low deductibe plan insurance can be over a grand. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It's so messed up in this country.
It's always best to listen to your Ped though maybe next time consider PM pediatrics first(if you don't think there is an immediate life threatening emergency) and they can refer you to the ER if it is a serious emergency. We have been there on many Sunday evenings.
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| Posted 9/8/15 10:24 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
I think it really depends on the hospital. I had an insurance issue and ended up with a $2000 ER bill. The hospital adamantly refused any assistance with lowering the bill or setting up a payment plan. It ended up in collections and I was able to whittle it down by a whole $200. It was ridiculous. I tried everything.
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| Posted 9/8/15 10:51 PM |
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jellybelly79
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3389 total posts
Name:
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Yes! last year I had surgery and they hit me with a $2000 stent removal charge which was done in the dr office. It took a long long time but finally they dropped the charge and just charged me my co-pay.
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| Posted 9/9/15 7:55 AM |
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MrsM429
Mama x2 <3
Member since 12/10 4946 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by mrsboss
I've had this happen. I've let it go to collections before it hits my credit. Call the collection co,upon receipt of their initial letter. They always chop off at least 30-40%, especially if you pay the bulk of it or pay in full while you're on the phone with them. I've also done it with them where I made 2 payments at a huge discount.
I've done this as well. I had bill from a doctor who, after battling with the insurance company because I was told it was a covered service, raised the price from a contracted insurance rate to an out of pocket rate, I let go to collections and saved 45% off of the cost. I paid it over the phone and had them send me a debt settlement letter as confirmation.
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| Posted 9/9/15 8:21 AM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 793 total posts
Name:
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Hello everyone,
Dolphinsbaby
>What hospital?
NYU
an9elic
>I wasn't able to get the price lowered
What steps did you take? Called the billing dept?
mrsboss / MrsM429
>I've let it go to collections before it hits my credit
I thought when it goes to collections, your credit gets affected?
jessnbrian
>all the time. call billing office and tell them you cant pay that amount and see what they say.
Thanks everyone for the advice.
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| Posted 9/9/15 10:39 AM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
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| Posted 9/9/15 10:43 AM |
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racheK
Hudson's Momma
Member since 10/10 2853 total posts
Name:
Rachel
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Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Not a hospital, but an anesthesiologist. He balance billed me for what my insurance didn't cover ($5,600 for a 30 minute surgery) and I didn't learn he was out of network until I met him 20 minutes before my surgery. I spoke to their billing department, wrote firm but courteous letters to them as well as the Department of Insurance (I believe) and they finally told me they were wiping the charge.
Message edited 9/9/2015 10:58:11 AM.
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| Posted 9/9/15 10:57 AM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 793 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by mrsboss
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
When does it hit your credit?
I thought it affects your credit even before it gets to collections.
I thought part of your credit report is outstanding balances, and it takes into account whether its 30 days old or 60 days old....
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| Posted 9/9/15 11:16 AM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 793 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by racheK
Not a hospital, but an anesthesiologist. He balance billed me for what my insurance didn't cover ($5,600 for a 30 minute surgery) and I didn't learn he was out of network until I met him 20 minutes before my surgery. I spoke to their billing department, wrote firm but courteous letters to them as well as the Department of Insurance (I believe) and they finally told me they were wiping the charge.
Department of Insurance?
Like New York state department of insurance?
Would they care? Its a matter between you and the doctor, it has nothing to do with insurance.
Thanks
Message edited 9/9/2015 11:17:52 AM.
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| Posted 9/9/15 11:17 AM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by newlywedT
Posted by mrsboss
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
When does it hit your credit?
I thought it affects your credit even before it gets to collections.
I thought part of your credit report is outstanding balances, and it takes into account whether its 30 days old or 60 days old....
I have heard medical bills don't hit your credit not sure if its 100% true but I have had people tell me they haven't paid bills from the hospital that are years old and haven't showed up on their credit report
ETA: so a quick google search it does seem to affect your credit eventually but I think it takes a while for them to report it. I guess the people who haven't paid in years have gotten lucky 
Message edited 9/9/2015 11:40:12 AM.
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| Posted 9/9/15 11:36 AM |
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racheK
Hudson's Momma
Member since 10/10 2853 total posts
Name:
Rachel
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by newlywedT
Posted by racheK
Not a hospital, but an anesthesiologist. He balance billed me for what my insurance didn't cover ($5,600 for a 30 minute surgery) and I didn't learn he was out of network until I met him 20 minutes before my surgery. I spoke to their billing department, wrote firm but courteous letters to them as well as the Department of Insurance (I believe) and they finally told me they were wiping the charge.
Department of Insurance?
Like New York state department of insurance?
Would they care? Its a matter between you and the doctor, it has nothing to do with insurance.
Thanks
Sorry, it's technically called the Department of Financial Services (I originally posted 'I believe' because I hadn't looked up the official department name when I posted). This article explains the issue I had, which is still different than yours, but in both cases, we were not aware of the total cost of the service we'd be getting and may have made alternative plans if we did. NY Times Article
For me personally, filing a complaint with NY State and letting the doctor's office know helped me get the balance due removed.
Message edited 9/9/2015 2:20:42 PM.
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| Posted 9/9/15 2:14 PM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by newlywedT
Posted by mrsboss
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
When does it hit your credit?
I thought it affects your credit even before it gets to collections.
I thought part of your credit report is outstanding balances, and it takes into account whether its 30 days old or 60 days old....
Typically the collections letter says, "if the balance is not paid by October 9, we will report this to the credit bureaus." Something along those lines. So they are still giving you the opportunity to pay it first.
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| Posted 9/9/15 2:37 PM |
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pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2912 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by mrsboss
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
I could be wrong, or maybe it's just for credit cards & loans, but I thought if you settle your debt for less, something still goes on your credit report.
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| Posted 9/9/15 8:07 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Posted by blu6385
Posted by newlywedT
Posted by mrsboss
No. Once you get the collections letter, it hasn't hit your credit. This is the time to call and negotiate your settlement.
When does it hit your credit?
I thought it affects your credit even before it gets to collections.
I thought part of your credit report is outstanding balances, and it takes into account whether its 30 days old or 60 days old....
I have heard medical bills don't hit your credit not sure if its 100% true but I have had people tell me they haven't paid bills from the hospital that are years old and haven't showed up on their credit report
ETA: so a quick google search it does seem to affect your credit eventually but I think it takes a while for them to report it. I guess the people who haven't paid in years have gotten lucky
I work in real estate and medical bills do show up on your credit report. We used a company that came up with a rental score and you could be rejected due to unpaid medical bills. On a few occasions, my boss made the judgment call to allow the tenant with bad credit due to medical bills. Unfortunately, a person with unpaid medical bills often has unpaid other bills as well.
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| Posted 9/9/15 9:00 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Anyone ever negotiate a hospital bill?
Can your insurance negotiate the fee for you?
DH is a surgeon and collections is usually about 30% of what is billed. Not sure if this is industry standard but this is what DH's office collects. So if DH's office bills $20k, insurance may only pay $6k. Some insurances pay better than others but it is always significantly less than what is billed.
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| Posted 9/9/15 9:47 PM |
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