Right to Review Medical Bills and Know the Rules of Hospital Charges

  Camila Mendes

            Alysia Santo is a young woman who survived chronic leukemia (bone marrow cancer). Alysia’s cancer medication cost $8,500 a month! Unfortunately, most cancer treatment medications cost over $100,00 per year. During Alysia’s treatment plan with her doctor they discussed the cost of her care. This is an extremely important part of patient care. When a patient is hospitalized, they may not receive the opportunity to review their medical bill. Although they may not have that opportunity, it is still important for the medical staff to let the patient know about their insurance and deductible information.

            Usually the hospital sends the bill by mail, and if the patient wants to discuss it they will need to make an appointment and go to the billing department in the hospital. Trying to understand all the different charges on a bill can be exhausting and confusing. Many medical bills don’t include extensive detail about what each charge is fo; this leaves the patient confused and oblivious to what they are paying for. A patient has the right to ask about how much each procedure, medication, and treatment cost. The patient has a right to be aware of how much they are spending in the hospital and what they are paying for exactly. In order to prevent that horrid feeling after seeing an expensive medical bill, use your right as a patient to calculate how much you are paying and what your are paying for.

            Next time you are hospitalized, do not hesitate to ask for a copy of your bill and the cost of care. Knowledge about this basic information allows you, as a patient, to make more informed decisions about the care you need. Alysia was fortunate enough to have doctors who helped her receive care without going into an extreme debt. Most Americans are not that fortunate and for that reason it is important to be aware of what your are paying for and how much it will be. Ask yourself, how much is this procedure? How much is my insurance deductible? Does my insurance cover this treatment? Asking yourself these questions will help you become a wiser patient.