
Quoting
SJW
Florida - My son had to have some whirlpool treatments for a surgical procedure. This was done as an Out Patient at the hospital and would be up to 20 treatments.
We have Aetna HMO from my employer.
When my wife took my son the admittance area was specifically asked if there would be any charges for us to pay outside of co-pays. The answer was "no, only the $35 co-pay".
My wife then asked if it was $35 per treatment or just a one time $35 co-pay. Because if it was going to be $35 per treatment we would seek other remedies and decline the OP treatments. Again, she was told it would only be the one time $35 copay.
We agree to do the whirlpool treatments and before and after each treatment the nurse removes and applies bandages to the affected area.
This was in Feb, Mar and April of this year.
In June we get two bills one for $200 and one for over $1200. When we called about this it seems this was for removal and applying of bandages.
At this point we are in a letter writing campaign, but I have two questions.
Am I wasting my time to dispute this bill? I am guessing the hospital is probably going to produce some kind of document my wife signed stating we would pay all medical charges not paid by insurance.
How do they get away with doing billable procedures without disclosing the charges?