Excessive charges at private hospital

question

I took my father to see a consultant privately as we had been waiting 6 weeks and had still not seen one on the NHS and I was very concerned for his health. The consultant told us that my father was so ill that he could not in all conscience refer him back into the NHS because by the time the tests would be done my father would probably be dead. We paid for all of the tests to be done in 2 weeks. It transpired that my father needed urgent heart surgery. It was agreed that this would be done at the private hospital and we were advised that this would cost £25k, to include everything including aftercare to be a day in ICU, 2 days in Critical Care and 7 days on a ward.
My father had the operation on a Monday. On the Tuesday night my father started to deteriorate and had to be kept in ICU. On the Thursday late afternoon a lady from Accounts said that extra charges had been incurred and that they were looking into it as we might not have to pay them. She even said that these charges were way too much, although she didn't tell me what they were. On the Friday the lady told me that we would have to pay an extra £20k to date, but that they would halve the cost of the bed in ICU going forward. On the Saturday lunchtime, at the suggestion of the surgeon, my father was moved. He was too unwell to be moved prior to this.
A bill has now been sent to my father's address requesting an extra £30k for the extra time (4 days) spent in ICU. I'm guessing that will have included the use of the machines in there and any blood tests and X-rays etc.
Does anyone know how I can check whether it was fair and reasonable in terms of the costs and because they did not advise us of these extra costs until late on Thursday (no figures being given until Friday)? Are there any legal advisors that deal with this sort of thing?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

custardy

question wrote: »

I took my father to see a consultant privately as we had been waiting 6 weeks and had still not seen one on the NHS and I was very concerned for his health. The consultant told us that my father was so ill that he could not in all conscience refer him back into the NHS because by the time the tests would be done my father would probably be dead. We paid for all of the tests to be done in 2 weeks. It transpired that my father needed urgent heart surgery. It was agreed that this would be done at the private hospital and we were advised that this would cost £25k, to include everything including aftercare to be a day in ICU, 2 days in Critical Care and 7 days on a ward.
My father had the operation on a Monday. On the Tuesday night my father started to deteriorate and had to be kept in ICU. On the Thursday late afternoon a lady from Accounts said that extra charges had been incurred and that they were looking into it as we might not have to pay them. She even said that these charges were way too much, although she didn't tell me what they were. On the Friday the lady told me that we would have to pay an extra £20k to date, but that they would halve the cost of the bed in ICU going forward. On the Saturday lunchtime, at the suggestion of the surgeon, my father was moved. He was too unwell to be moved prior to this.
A bill has now been sent to my father's address requesting an extra £30k for the extra time (4 days) spent in ICU. I'm guessing that will have included the use of the machines in there and any blood tests and X-rays etc.
Does anyone know how I can check whether it was fair and reasonable in terms of the costs and because they did not advise us of these extra costs until late on Thursday (no figures being given until Friday)? Are there any legal advisors that deal with this sort of thing?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What paperwork did you sign?
I'll be honest with any surgery theres a risk of complications and 'planning' 1 day in ICU is a best case scenario.

question

custardy wrote: »

What paperwork did you sign?
I'll be honest with any surgery theres a risk of complications and 'planning' 1 day in ICU is a best case scenario.

Signed a consent form for the operation and gave them £25k immediately. I recognise that complications can arise, it's just that if you deduct the costs of the care that he didn't have (2 days in Critical care, 4 days on a ward with associated treatments that one would have after heart surgery) from the original £25k figure, then you add the additional £30k, it amounts to at least £8k a day, probably more. It just seems very high. I've already noticed a charge for a test that he had before he was taken in and that we've already paid. I just don't have the expertise to challenge this.

teddysmum

Medical treatment is very expensive, but we are shielded from the cost by the NHS or by having insurance.


Just a simple blood test done by a vet can cost over £50.

custardy

question wrote: »

Signed a consent form for the operation and gave them £25k immediately. I recognise that complications can arise, it's just that if you deduct the costs of the care that he didn't have (2 days in Critical care, 4 days on a ward with associated treatments that one would have after heart surgery) from the original £25k figure, then you add the additional £30k, it amounts to at least £8k a day, probably more. It just seems very high. I've already noticed a charge for a test that he had before he was taken in and that we've already paid. I just don't have the expertise to challenge this.

At the very least you (IMO) need a full break down.
After that if you arent happy a face to face to discuss the charges and how they handled making you aware.
However Im sure they will push back given he was too ill to move,the charges are what they are.

sheramber

You are not only paying fort he machines and the tests bit also for the nurses- there is usually one to one nursing in ICU- and any others involved in his care.

Each hospital will have it own charges.

A friend had a new knee fitted in a private hospital. Was in hospital for a week and the cost was £25k.

Comms69

A night in a hospital bed, just on a 'typical' ward costs approx. £800.


I'd imagine the cost is substantially higher for ICU, and then the fact that private hospitals tend to pay more and need to make a pretty hefty profit.


I imagine you signed something along the lines of - provide any treatment which is required for the duration of the stay. So pretty much up the creek

wondercollie

You have to remember you will also being for each visit by any doctor, therapist, etc.

You pay for each dose of medicine. Each IV that is started. Every bag of solution spiked. Every dressing that is used.

It adds up fast.

DoubleDoors

British people have NO IDEA when it comes to the cost of medical care, because the bill is (for the moment at least) footed by the tax payer. This could well change in the future, guess we'll have to wait and see. OP sorry sounds like you've been stitched up (no pun intended!!) and would have been better waiting for the big blue and white thing to get their finger out. Not ideal I know but at least they don't lumber you with bills you can't pay.