Allen,
I'm sorry to hear this. But the drill sounds familiar. I had an operation for a small facial cancer about 4 years ago. After some time I started getting the same bills. And it was complicated because, with me, there are three tiers involved: my wife's insurance which covers me as well, Medicare, and a Medicare supplemental from my former work place.
The outcome was some left over bills, not staggering as yours appear to be, but worrisome. I had the personnel officer at my former college contact the insurance firm who contacted the billing doctors and hospitals and got it worked out.
I was led to believe that hospitals and doctors bill maximum, knowing they will get some sort of set fee. Some then try to recover the difference from the patient.
It's part of my constant refrain that the system is just a mess, a horrible mess, and much needs to be done. As you know, my preferred system is a single payer, universal health care. But, back against the wall, I'll take any of a number of improvements. But all of them should be aimed at taking care of issues like yours. |
