[CaptainK]

What hospital is he in?

[Southerngl]

That sounds almost right for surgery, especially emergency.

[theDentist]

First: I hope he is well and recovering.

Next: Emergency Appendectomys are expensive, but I cannot tell you the cost. Someone may be able.

Lastly: You think that was expensive, wait'll we get free health care.

[caver]

Yea, I believe it. I was in the hospital for about 36 hours doing some tests for chest pain. The bill was over $9000 nad they didn’t do much of nothing.

[LukeL]

If that includes the OR fee, Doctor fee, and room fee, it sounds about right. Most hospitals in the US have charity options if a person cannot afford the bill, or they have payment plans you can work with. I have found as long as you send them some money each month they are happy.

[Owen]

Critical data item. Hospitals quote a different price for an insured person than an uninsured person — because the insurance companies tell them NO! The hospitals, when they get an uninsured person, use it to try to make up for indigents they must treat.

He needs absolutely to say he is insured. Simply doing that will cut that price. And above all — tell him do NOT put it on a credit card, nor his wife-to-be. Let the situation get complex for the hospital, with him being a Brit.

[pillut48]

Prayers that he’s doing better now!!
Hope you all get the financial aspect all figured out!

Did the thought occur to anyone else that had he entered the US illegally, then he could have gotten his health care/operation for free?? What a bizarro world we live in...

[wagglebee]

My appendix ruptured just over 25 years ago when I was 15, the surgery and hospitalization was nearly $20,000 back then (I had peritonitis which complicated things). So, what you are being quoted sounds about right. Keep in mind that an appendectomy is nearly ALWAYS emergency surgery, it’s not something you can put off (otherwise it WILL rupture and then it gets a lot more expensive).

[devere]

Hospitals inflate their bills terribly to those without insurance, but if you are firm and resolute they will negotiate.

Try to find out what they are paid for these services by a major insurance company, such as Aetna. You will probably find that it is less than half of what they have billed you.

Don’t pay any part of the bill until they become reasonable. Then pay the whole thing.

[raybbr]

It's whatever they want to charge.

I recently called my GP's office to find out what an "office visit" would cost. They could/would not tell me.

I called the insurance company to find out what a "reasonable and customary" charge for an office visit would be. They could/would not tell me.

So much for the patient taking charge of their health care.

We are at the mercy of the the system. It's all about big bucks. Insurance companies are taking in record earnings and raising co-pays and rates.

Our health should not be dependent on dividends and bonuses.

[raybbr]

Try this.

[raybbr]

procedures performed, age, sex and discharge status. One DRG is assigned to each inpatient stay.
DRG
Description
Average Length of Stay (Days)5
National Average DRG Payment5
338
Appendectomy w complicated principal diag w MCC
10.9
$14,672.93
339
Appendectomy w complicated principal diag w CC
7.1
$10,662.56
340
Appendectomy w complicated principal diag w/o CC/MCC
4.3
$7,455.98
341
Appendectomy w/o complicated principal diag w MCC
7.3
$10,134.41
342
Appendectomy w/o complicated principal diag w CC
4.3
$7,301.47
343
Appendectomy w/o complicated principal diag w/o CC/MCC
2.3
$5,322.93

[Our man in washington]

Sounds about right.

Isn’t it outrageous than in the 21st century, an appendectomy can cost $28,000?

(Well, not really, considering the 19th century treatement was “you die.”)

[Mr Ramsbotham]

If he’s a British subject travelling overseas, the NHS ought to pick his the tab for emergency care. If I were him I’d get in touch with them.

[keat]

I’ll do it for half that.

[6ppc]

If you do not have insurance, call the billing office and tell them you are self pay. Most hospitals will reduce the charge to the amount they charge an insurance company. Insurance companies negotiate for reduced rates with the hospitals and medical care providers. The "official" undiscounted bill is pure BS.

My daughter had an auto accident and we received a bill for $5000 from the hospital, mostly from the tests they ran. When I called the billing office and explained she didn't have insurance they adjusted the bill down to less than $900.

You may need to negotiate with the hospital, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, etc separately, but they will negotiate.

[bmwcyle]

Remember in American you pay for yourself and at least one illegal family getting free health care.

[politicalwit]

Pricing for various medical procedures in the USA by HCA http://www.hcahealthcare.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID={C7403AAF-2EFC-4CC9-BEC9-3D5815D11C45}

[Oshkalaboomboom]

When my wife-to-be came over here from England she bought travel insurance before she left. The policy she had was good for a year but they sell policies good for as little as a week or 2. Compared to getting sick they are a bargain, and she did get sick while she was over here. She went to a clinic, then had an allergic reaction to the medicine they gave her so she had to go back. Altogether the bills were about $2000, I had to pay them right away but her insurance company reimbursed me 100%. Hopefully your son bought insurance before he left or he’s about to learn a very expensive lesson.

[Churchillspirit]

How long has he been in the US?

Usually, you have insurance through your travel ticket.

He might be covered - so long as he has not exceeded his legal stay.