Charges from private hospital

Jonah01

Hi,

I had an ankle operation last Saturday at a private hospital.

This is mostly being covered by Bupa so quite happy with that.

I am wearing an aircast boot at the moment and am on crutches.

Having read through all of the literature from the hospital it states if you need crutches then you will have to pay for them. I managed to borrow some from someone so didn't have to worry about this cost.

I got a letter through today saying I owe the hospital £112 for the aircast boot. Now it is possible Bupa will pay for this boot but its a slim chance.

I don't mind paying it but am quite angry that at no point did anyone tell me that I was purchasing the boot or even tell me about the cost of it. The physio just came in a put it on me.

Have I got any rights to refuse to pay for this? - probably not but thought I would ask.

Surely they should make it clear when you are actually purchasing something. I am going to have a moan no matter what.

Thanks
Paul

Nicki

Everything you get in a private hospital, down to the drugs which were administered in the operating room, and the plaster that was put over a wound is accounted for on the bill and has to be paid for. Insurers vary in what they cover. Some cover everything, some only cover drugs administered in hospital. The issue about having to pay for the boot boils down to the fact that this may not be something BUPA cover. The physio would not have known who you were insured by, and even if you were self pay, hence why it wasn't mentioned at the time.

tbh, if all you end up paying is £112 for a significant operation and a hospital stay, that's not bad surely?

brook2jack

I have now had six ankle ops courtesy of axa. The hospital paperwork clearly stated that medicines, appliances etc would not be covered by the insurance and would have to be paid for.

If you had had plaster applied you wouldn't have to pay for that but aircast boots, rom walkers etc do have to be paid for. Crutches are cheap I was billed £11 for them , I paid more for the micro aspirin and tramadol .

Would you have rather they didn't put the boot on and leave you in pain and with a compromised result?

Jonah01

Yeah agree I'm getting a good deal.

Ok fair enough the physio shouldn't make you aware of the cost of the boot but surely someone should have?

It just annoys me as if someone didnt have the money to pay for it then it would come as shock getting that bill. Just out of courtesy they should make people aware.

They make you aware you have to pay for crutches.

brook2jack

They do inform you about possible charges for appliances at most private hospitals eg in this info from Spire http://www.spirehealthcare.com/patient-information/using-your-private-medical-insurance/payment-process-for-insured-patients/

Most hospitals take a creditcard imprint when you check in and explain what it is for as so many people dispute charges when it is not the hospital but the insurance company which decides what is covered.

Beenie

I think all insurance policies will say in the small print that they do not cover 'appliances.'

I had a hand operation and needed a splint which the insurer wouldn't pay for either.