Been screwed over medical bills..can you help

jaffaman

Hi.

I recently went for minor surgery...had to do this privately as I will be out of the country soon and couldn't wait.

The practice told me beforehand that the price for consultation and surgery would be £600.

At the hospital, I was asked to pay £200. I assumed that this was part payment for the treatment.

I've now been billed an additional £600...been told by the doctor's practise that the fee at the hospital was for 'use of rooms and equipment'

I probably did sign something at the hospital agreeing to this...I was extremely nervous. However, I feel that it is very underhanded of the doctors not to mention this fee beforehand. After all on the day of the surgery, it would be hard to cancel if I couldn't afford the additional fee and they would probably have something to say if I did.

Do I have any legal recourse or is there anything I can do?

Thanks

J

maninthestreet

Did you get a written quote beforehand?

jaffaman

I've got an email quote for the £600 that makes no mention of the hospital fees.

When I was at the hospital, they just said 'You can go to the cashier afterwards and pay', and I assumed it would be payment for the consultation/surgery.

Hintza

That in retrospect quote "Will there be anything more to pay"?

I have a similar situation totally unrelated but it is infuriating when it happens.

Good luck (I think you'll need it)

pinkshoes

I had something similar, but my op was paid for by Bupa (via work).

I reacted very badly to the general aneasthetic, spent 24 hours projectile vomiting, and they had to put me on a drip and keep me in over night.

I got a bill sent to me for over £100 for "extras" from the hospital that wasn't covered. Oddly, when I (reluctantly) went to pay it, they told me the bill had been paid!! (Never found out who, but Bupa said it wasn't them!)

Anyway, your op would have had two lots of charges, one for the consultant, then one for the hospital charges. It should have told you somewhere about having to pay the hospital bit too.

Hintza

I'm sure if the OP had been told around £1,200 right at the start they would have been fine. it's the fact that the quote doubles that leaves you in shock. It's abit like flying with a budget airline, except the % increase is bigger with them.....:)

jaffaman

Hi. Thanks for the replies. To make it clear, I'm only £200 out of pocket for the 'hospital fees'. Not worth going to court over. But it's not right! They should tell you beforehand...how are you going to work it all out when you're waiting in the hospital for an operation.