Originally Posted by docputer

We have 3 local hospitals all within an eight block quadrant. They keep trying to "out-ER" each other. They have all built new emergency departments in the last couple years.

One now advertises that you will see a doctor within 30 minutes of arrival.

My wife sustained a head injury in December and we went to that ER. I was amazed when she was seen 6 minutes after we arrived. That doctor ordered tests and pain meds. He checked back with us every hour till he sent her home 4 hours after we arrived.
The bill came yesterday, 7 months later. $3844

I was glad that she was seen quickly, and they determined she had a concussion, but no brain bleed. She has seen her regular doctor since then, and she continues to have issues(headaches, memory issues)

What I am not happy about is her insurance declined to pay for the er as they deemed it as unnecessary treatment.
It wasn't like we strolled in there at 10am, instead of seeing her primary care doctor.
She fell and hit her head at 9pm, when the only thing open was the ER, and the dr's on call line said to take her to the ER.

I guess now I have to fight the insurance company. The insurance company doesn't seem to want to make that easy. They have a telephone number, but unless you are a doctor's office calling for an approval, they won't speak to you. They will only correspond by mail. I guess the letter writing begins.