I am currently out of work seeking employment as so many people today are, so when I accidentally burned my hand on a pot I really considered going to the hospital or not. Ultimately after the pain did not subside after 20 minutes or so under running water I decided that I needed to go somewhere. I went to Bayonet Point hospital and am very sorry that I did.
Upon arrival I was pleasantly escorted through the E.R. Without much of a wait at all. It wasn't long before my blood pressure was taken and an attending came in to treat my wound, this is where things started to go wrong. The attending asked what had happened and I told him "I grabbed a pot and burned myself". He gave me a look like i was a complete moron and I replied "Hey, it could happen to anyone". To which he replied "Not me" with a moronic smirk on his face. Now normally if I had such an inconsiderate prick say that to me I would have demanded somebody else to treat me and an apology, however for those of you that have ever burned yourselves know, it wasn't on the top of my list of things to do.
After having some cream applied to my hand and having it wrapped with gauze I received a pain pill and a prescription. I couldn't have been in the hospital more than 30 minutes total. On the way out I saw the cashier and was told that my balance would probably be the minimum $175.00 plus the medication would be $40.00.
Weeks passed and I though little about my visit until I received a $530.00 bill from a Dr. Chipman! Little did i know this was just a precursor of things to come. I called the number already confused as I had not even seen a doctor, just the attending. I basically got a brush off saying that if the doctor wasn't there then the attending couldn't work hence I owe the doctor... What!?!?!?! Either way I was sure that there was an error being made because as I stated I was only in the E.R. For a total of 30 minutes. No, I was told it doesn't matter if I was there for 4 minutes they could charge this for my treatment, but I could settle the amount for $318.00!
Absolutely sure that somebody is playing a very cruel practical joke on me I called the billing department of the hospital only to find out that I was going to be expecting a $1900.00 bill from them! How can this be I'm thinking to myself, since when can doctors charge you $500.00 per half an hour, to not even see you? How can a hospital justify $1900.00 for some gauze and hand cream!?!? I still don't know as the itemized bill hasn't arrived and they would not answer any questions over the phone.
Luckily for me my injury was not severe. I will update this post when I receive the itemized bill, however, I just can't imagine how they are going to justify it.
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