Consumer Justice: Avoid Big Bills For Emergency Care
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PLANO (CBS11) - A story about unexpected medical bills got an unexpected reaction!
CBS11 has been inundated with complaints from viewers after we shared Susan McCulloch's story Wednesday.
McCulloch got an $8,000 bill after going to First Choice Emergency Room for strep throat.
"And I opened it up and it said $8,196 and I was like what," she says.
She says the bill was for her shot of penicillin and screening that insurance will only cover a little more than a thousand dollars of.
Mike Keppel of Euless said McCulloch's story mirrored his own.
"The timing of the piece was incredible," said Keppel.
Keppel went to First Choice when he was having trouble breathing last month.
"It was close, convenient and we thought we'd be in and out in a reasonable time," said Keppel.
Keppel got the bill two days ago.
"Total charges in excess of $5,000," said Keppel.
Keppel said what upset him the most was the $1,300 cost for the seven- minute visit with the doctor.
CBS11 tried to get answers at the emergency room Wednesday night but were told to contact the corporate office which did not respond to messages.
First Choice bills itself as the nation's oldest and largest freestanding emergency room system.
Keppel says he won't be going back.
"First Choice is now my last choice," said Keppel.
Devon Harrick from the National Center for Policy Analysis gave CBS11 tips for consumers before they go to any emergency facility.
First, if it says emergency anywhere in the title or on the building--expect to pay emergency room prices.
Harrick said by law, free standing ER's are supposed to have signs to indicate:
*The facility is an emergency room.
*Rates will be comparable to a hospital ER.
*The doctor may bill separately.
*The facility may not be part of your network.
Patients should ask these questions before treatment:
"Is the facility and doctor in my insurer's preferred provider network?"
"What is the approximate cost of my visit today?"
Harrick also said ER's are required to give you an itemized bill on request.
The Texas Deptartment of Insurance can help you mediate a bill more than $500.
For more information click here.
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