Hospital checks if I'm pregnant at 61 years old!!!

[Vivinthewoods 0]

Now that I am one month post-op, statements and ‘Explanation of Benefits’ have started to arrive from the hospital and my insurance company. Although my insurance covers 80% of my Lap Band surgery, I was intrigued to know what the large amounts money, submitted to the insurance company, were actually for – they are listed on the ‘Explanation of Benefits’ under the nondescript heading of ‘Service’. I called the hospital and asked for an itemized listing of these services, which the hospital provided.

Being a non-medical person I do not understand what the majority of items are, but a couple of things did catch my eye.

# 1 - on the statement for my pre-op testing there is a double charge for an Electrocardiogram – same date, same service code and same amount of $348.50.

# 2 - again on the pre-op testing statement, I see my urine was tested for pregnancy. On the paperwork I filled out I listed all surgeries, which included a tubal ligation done 25 years ago! Due to the fact that I have not become pregnant in the last 25 years, I take this as good proof that the tubal ligation has worked and that it is highly unlikely I would be with child now! This, and the fact that I have been post-menopausal for the last twelve years and I am nearly sixty one years of age, I see as almost certain proof in ruling out the possibility of me being pregnant and yet I was still tested. Cost for this test, $135.00.

#3 – if one pregnancy test wasn't enough, there is another charge on the statement (this time on the date of my surgery) for a second pregnancy urine test. This is a completely false charge, as I never gave my urine to any one on that day. In fact, on the day of my surgery I had very little urine at all. This was because I arrived at the hospital before 5:00 a.m. and my surgery was delayed and delayed and I did not go into the O.R. until 7:00 p.m. that evening. As I had had my last drink at 11:00 p.m. the night before and did not get a drink of Water until 10:00 p.m., this meant I went 23 hours with a sip of water passing my lips. I certainly would have remembered giving up a urine sample - they would have had to squeeze it out of me! Another charge of $135.00.

To my reckoning that is a total of $618.50 of wrong/unnecessary charges, and that is only on the few things I could figure out what they were. It makes me wonder about all the other items listed on this 4-page statement!!!! I will be calling the hospital and my insurance company tomorrow.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Vivinthewoods

[elcee 3,341]

Love it. They really do find every possible way to milk the consumer don't they!

[ocotillo 0]

Good for you in checking your statement. No wonder our health care system is such a mess. You are paying part of that over charge too aren't you? Since you still pay 20% you are paying 20% more for things that shouldn't be there.

I applaud you for checking and following up with it.

[ellendeette 1]

I agree with you about the pregnancy test. Its "required" that the hospitals do it. I am 55 and it made me laugh when I saw it on my itemized list of services. I think its yet another cost that hospitals add to their huge bill so they can get insurance to pay. No wonder premiums for medical insurance is so high.

[Vivinthewoods 0]

"Love it. They really do find every possible way to milk the consumer don't they!"

Good for you in checking your statement. No wonder our health care system is such a mess. You are paying part of that over charge too aren't you? Since you still pay 20% you are paying 20% more for things that shouldn't be there.

I applaud you for checking and following up with it.

Elcee - Yes, the hospitals sure do try to sick it to you.

Ocotillo - Yes, I will have to pay 20% of the over charge, but I will try for an adjustment. I'll let you know if I'm successful.

I'm not knitting any booties yet!!!!!:thumbup: