challenging a hospital bill when on holiday as a non-resident

creditcardbaby

QrizB said:

creditcardbaby said:

QrizB said:

creditcardbaby said:

QrizB said:

$600 seems a bargain.

I was expecting you to say four figures!

creditcardbaby said:
Unsure insurance will pay

Have you told your insurance company? Have they said anything to you?

Made a mistake on application form - was unaware / did not disclose my daughter took medication for anxiety in last 2 years - 100% my fault I know

What about the other questions:

Have you told your insurance company?

Have they said anything to you?

Yes but they have indicated they will not pay.

Won't pay because of the undisclosed medical history? Or because of some other reason?

Undisclosed medical history.
The post / question is on the basis of no insurance, am asking if anyone has any exerience / knowledge of challenging a hospital bill if you consider it excessive / unreasonable. From the answers it seems the bill is fair / typical. 

creditcardbaby

la531983 said:

creditcardbaby said:

la531983 said:

On what basis?

They wont care that your travel insurance arent prepared to cover it.

On the basis the bill seems excessive / unreasonable. 

Not for the USA it doesnt.

Ok, have no experience / knowledge of USA hospitals, so happy to be corrected. 

TELLIT01

Did the hospital provide a breakdown of the costs or just an invoice for 'treatment'?

creditcardbaby

TELLIT01 said:

Did the hospital provide a breakdown of the costs or just an invoice for 'treatment'?

Just an invoice. Was considering asking for a breakdown. 

user1977

creditcardbaby said:

la531983 said:

On what basis?

They wont care that your travel insurance arent prepared to cover it.

On the basis the bill seems excessive / unreasonable. 

How much do you think it ought to be? Please show your working. 

Aretnap

From my own limited experience of a broken finger, $600 is about what it costs just to get through the door of an American hospital.

Maybe San Francisco was particularly expensive... but I can't imagine that New York is much cheaper.

littleboo

$600 ~ £450? seems not unreasonable.

creditcardbaby

user1977 said:

creditcardbaby said:

la531983 said:

On what basis?

They wont care that your travel insurance arent prepared to cover it.

On the basis the bill seems excessive / unreasonable. 

How much do you think it ought to be? Please show your working. 

She had a blood test - basic one costs $30-50 but can cost significantly more. She was seen by a nurse first, then by a doctor after the result. Was at hospital around 3 hours. Unsure how the pricing works, if it's an hourly rate. I'm in the dark clearly. By your question I assume you think $600 / £500 is not excessive ? 

creditcardbaby

littleboo said:

$600 ~ £450? seems not unreasonable.

Thank you for your opinion, pretty ignorant on this matter

creditcardbaby

Aretnap said:

From my own limited experience of a broken finger, $600 is about what it costs just to get through the door of an American hospital.

Maybe San Francisco was particularly expensive... but I can't imagine that New York is much cheaper.

Thank you for your feedback