This can't be real so I guess I won't panic

I just got home froma 4 day trip  taking my son to college. In the mail is a bill from the hospital saying that I owe $17,434 for my VSG surgery!  When I first started the process in January, I had to call my insurance to see what they would cover and how much I would owe. I remember it was like $300 or $700 dollars or something. I will have to look for my notes. But this bill says that insurance has already paid and determined that this is what you owe. Of course all of the offices are closed today. Has this happened to anyone else? I will stay calm until I can call on Monday, but if I did owe this money that would be the financial ruin of me.

Definitely stay calm!!  It's probably an error in billing!  Wait until you get the explanation of benefits statement from your insurance (or look it up online if you can).  Then call insurance on Monday and find out what the problem is.  That sounds like they billed you the full amount of the hospital stay (for mine they billed over $30k the insurance negotiated it down to almost exactly $20k and my hospital co-pay was $1258.34).  Don't let them stress you out!!  I'm sure it'll all get worked out.  :) 

 I would be freaking out too, but try not to! If they told you it would be 300 or 700 it probably is just a mistake! Good luck, and keep us posted! 

Alot of times they send you a bill while insurance is still pending so I wouldn't worry about it yet.

Ditto!  Also at our center they gave everyone their bill in advance.  Anyone that would owe had to pay it in advance, before they would even do the surgery.  I like this as no surprise.

They most likely didn't code something right and it has to go back thru.  Try to find your notes too.

I'm 2 months out and just got a letter saying my insurance was denying my claim. I'm not worried. They already sent the approval letter to my doctor before the surgery so they can't deny it now Be patient and it will work out.

Thanks for the reassurance. I will have to call tomorrow. What concerns me is how complete the document was- it listed cost, insurance adjustments, what they paid, and what was left for me to pay. Oh well, I'll have my answer tomorrow.

I called my insurance and there was a complicated situation with the hospital billing them twice for two different amounts and the insurance company denied one of the amounts. The part I was billed for is the part the hospital will have to write off because the insurance company didn't pay it. But I don't owe anything! My surgery only cost me $300 of the almost $50,000 bill. Plus, I have met my out of pocket for the year so my prescriptions for the rest of the year will be free. I am lucky to have good insurance. (I wish everybody did and think everybody should.)