Woke up nauseaous, vomited about five times, and the last one included blood so I went to the emergency room. I spoke to a doctor for less than five minutes and received no imaging. There was one routine blood draw and an IV with saline and Zofran.
God damn America. $3042 to walk in the door. I could have literally flown back to England and been seen at an NHS hospital for a 5th of the cost.
That's way to high, just ask them to expand on each item and explain the cost factors. Then offer to pay them $50 for the saline and 10 minutes of the doctor's time.
Exactly right.
Did same to a doctor who once called me personally about an outstanding bill. Told him he’d seen me for not more than 90 seconds. And for that I’m not paying what you billed. He hung up and didn’t call back. Never paid at all.
Do something like the comrade above suggested.
Mine was $5000 for an ambulance ride and saline. I was unconscious and they took my credit card and maxed it out ($500 limit lol). Called them later and they gave me a hastily written receipt that said "Diagnosis of possible marijuana injection" because they picked me up from a place where people were smoking and the price was $2500. The saline was $500 and they billed me $2000 for a bed (which was a cot in the hallway).
I literally had to walk myself out of the hospital because no one knew who I was or what was going on when I came to.
Ended up getting them to scratch the entire bill after a couple phone calls.
American ERs are total scams
I think if they get you on record admitting to the debt, they can sue you in court for it. so best practice is to never answer their calls, even if it's to say fuck off.