Help!!!!! Being billed $500!!!!!!!

From what I understood preop I don't have a surgical copay. My plan says surgery in hospital is fully covered in network and my docs office assured me that my insurance does not have a copay for the surgery and I won't be charged ANYTHING. Now I'm being billed $500 and I've been in touch with the docs office and they say it's a mistake, but the hospital just called for payment and they said that I have to take it up with the insurance company who told them that I have that copay. I just looked at the benefits and it says there is a $500 copay for hospital rehabilitation. Is that what the 8 hours spent in the hospital were called? Is that not included in the "surgery in the hospital"? Help! I'm totally broke and struggling to pay for college and not having anything to wear since losing weight because I bleepin can't afford ANYTHING and I don't know what to do about this bill! Has anyone else had such a thing? (ftr, I'm really happy that I lost weight and had I known before I would still certainly have gone though with it $500 for surgery is not bad at all I just don't know where I'm going to get that money!)

Seems like a small expense to me, in the grand scheme.  I mean, is your health not worth $500?

Did I not just say that I would have done it had I known?

Well excussssssssssssse me.

If you really do have to pay that amount, just set up a payment plan with the hospital.  Most of them will allow you to do that.  I know $500 seems like alot right now, but it will go away quickly with some monthly payments. Chrissy

1) write a formal letter of dispute to the hospital and copy your insurance company.  This should delay any collections actions for a while.  Include any documentation you can find about your co-pay, deductible etc. for outpatient surgery.  Talk to your surgeon's office who coordinated your insurance stuff for you as well.  Recovery in outpatient shouldnt be considered rehab...that is just silly.  Stupid Insurance companies. 2) check out the clothing exchange on this site.  Maybe you can find a few things to wear in your new size there!  It is under the 'people' link.

I'm sure you can make payments. Let them know that you weren't expecting it, and you don't have it all at once. Hard for me to relate, since every part of my surgery and fills has been self-pay...and worth every penny. Be grateful you have insurance that covers this. $500 is a drop in the bucket.

After years of dealing with medical bills with my parents, I know that as long as you are making some form of payment each month, you will be ok.  I agree with all the posts above.  You don't have to pay it all at once I don't think.

I understand, $500 is a lot when you don't have the money.  I agree with Micheleaner.  A letter of dispute may help.  Have you already spoken w/the insurance company directly.  If they say that you don't have to pay, maybe they can send something to the hospital or send you a letter that you can forward.  Or even get someone's name specifically and have the hospital billing contact.   Also, have you thought of selling your old clothes on Ebay or to a 2nd hand shop.  You could use the $$ you get towards buying some new items.  I have been using Ebay for the few things that are too big now.   Good luck with everything and please don't stress.  Write everything down that you find out and who you spoke with. 

Don't just look in the book, actually call the insurence company. Before you call get a name and direct phone line to someone at the hospital, if and when the insurence company tells you there is no co-pay, ask them nicely to call your contact person while you are on the line. Get a little notebook, take lots of names and phone numbers, ask nicely to speak to supervisiors. Lots of please and thank you's and "what do you suggest?"
Sounds like someone just coded it wrong. good luck and let us know what happens.
laurie