Texas thing - or new across the nation? (insurance, legality)

[Rynldsbr]

Since moving to Central Texas we have had several instances to use the services of a well known Children's Hospital here. We have been very surprised to learn that they do not offer a detailed billing for services unless asked.


Many of you are looking at your computer with scrunched up noses and saying "No way!" right now, because that is exactly what I said when we realized this. The hospital sends an invoice after the stay, and there is no listing of services rendered and no detail regarding what was covered by insurance or at what rate. When we contacted the hospital, they referred us to their billing department (apparently outsourced as they use an entirely different name) who kindly informed us that "a detailed statement was never requested."


Yep. Now, not only are we expected to pay outrageous premiums for deteriorating coverage, just like politicians, the healthcare providers expect us to pay for it without reading what it is in it. I strongly encourage anyone using hospital services to ensure they get a detailed statement and read it carefully. We found thousands of over-charges on the billing and one entire hospital stay that was never sent to insurance.

[centralaustinite]

Hum . . . yes, I find that odd. I have a child, now an adult, who requires specialist services and outpatient children's hospital services, and we always receive a very detailed bill -- vials of medication, supplies, first hour of specialty nursing care, second hour, etc. The bills since moving to the adult system is less detailed but he was in the pediatric system less than a year ago, and the bill was very detailed. And no special request!

[Rynldsbr]

I inquired if this was a hospital thing or an insurance thing, and it appears to a hospital policy. I am rather curious about the legality of it, and wondered if anyone in the health care field can offer any insight.

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

Since moving to Central Texas we have had several instances to use the services of a well known Children's Hospital here. We have been very surprised to learn that they do not offer a detailed billing for services unless asked.


Many of you are looking at your computer with scrunched up noses and saying "No way!" right now, because that is exactly what I said when we realized this. The hospital sends an invoice after the stay, and there is no listing of services rendered and no detail regarding what was covered by insurance or at what rate. When we contacted the hospital, they referred us to their billing department (apparently outsourced as they use an entirely different name) who kindly informed us that "a detailed statement was never requested."


Yep. Now, not only are we expected to pay outrageous premiums for deteriorating coverage, just like politicians, the healthcare providers expect us to pay for it without reading what it is in it. I strongly encourage anyone using hospital services to ensure they get a detailed statement and read it carefully. We found thousands of over-charges on the billing and one entire hospital stay that was never sent to insurance.

Never pay anything until after you receive an Explanation of Benefits from your insurer with a breakdown of what was paid. Not a Texas thing, btw. I've been here 10 years and have never seen that.

[KathrynAragon]

All our medical bills (here in East Texas) are itemized. Not a "Texas thing." It's a weird thing, though. I wouldn't like it a bit.