Author Topic: Prices for emergency room triage  (Read 1830 times)

sgomez11

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Prices for emergency room triage
« on: November 16, 2015, 03:09:04 AM »
Hi all, this is my first post on this site so please excuse (or provide feedback on) any issues with my etiquette.

I'm being charged excessively by SFGH (San Francisco General Hospital) for several items related to an emergency room visit, but the most egregious is the triage (the actual them-taking-care-of-you part) itself. Is there any way to talk them or the city down in price? I've tried, but it wasn't very heavy handed since I don't really know what I'm doing.

I've done price comparisons. According to fairhealthconsumer.org, the UCR (usual, customary, and reasonable) price for level 4 ER treatment in San Francisco is $640. UCSF, a world renowned hospital, charges a little more (understandable given their quality) which is a little under $900. SFGeneral? A whopping $4438. This is almost %700 the UCR rate and, I hate to say it, but SFGeneral is not known to be a top hospital in the area. I'm on the hook for covering thousands more than my out-of-pocket maximum due to my insurance only paying the UCR rate.

There was a lawsuit but I don't think I'm covered:
http://www.justanswer.com/law/8gnb9-live-san-francisco-ca-went-er-sf-general.html#re.v/328/
http://www.phillaw.com/combrisson-v-city-and-county-of-san-francisco/

I've done my homework, but I'm happy to do more. Please let me know what I can do to help myself.

Cheers

Michele

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Re: Prices for emergency room triage
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2015, 01:58:17 PM »
It looks like you are talking about the hospital charges, not the physicians fees correct?  And it also sounds like they do not accept or participate with your insurance?  Otherwise they would not be able to charge you above the UCR.  I would check into that first to make sure that you are actually liable for the bill.

If you are liable for the entire remaining portion you can contact the hospital to ask if they make allowances for people either with no insurance, or with insurance that they do not accept.  It is possible they have a policy for people with large out of pocket expenses.

My uncle had emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder.  Had a 3 day hospital stay and no insurance.  The hospital and the doctors all allowed him the Medicare allowed amount for his responsibility which was fair.

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Re: Prices for emergency room triage
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2015, 01:58:17 PM »