You can question until you're blue in the face...the people you'll be talking with have no idea what "miscellaneous items" you used, hence the term "miscellaneous". Hey, don't pay; everyone else who has insurance will carry your debt...there is a name for people who do that: deadbeat.
I've never recently been a patient and never have seen a bill.
And do you not know anyone who has been hospitalized? No family member, friend or neighbor? Do you mean to tell us, you've never had this conversation with anyone who told you that if you have even a simple surgery and don't have health insurance, you'll be paying it off for years?
Appendectomy Cost The is the procedure needed when you have an inflamed appendix, or appendicitis. SurgeryCosts.net Estimate: $13,405 Patient Max: $265,000 Patient Average: $46,865 Patient Min: NA
Patient Comments: (36) April 2, 2011 $4 - in Alberta Canada In Canada only had to pay for the painkillers.
March 29, 2011 $83,311 - tania in Watsonville, Ca This was a one night stay at Watsonville Community hospital located in Santa Cruz County, Ca. I was emitted into the ER with lots of pain. CT scan determined acute appendicitis, one over night stay no complications. Can someone tell me why it costs so much. No insurance!!!
February 22, 2011 $55,000 - Aliison McKnight in Lakewood, CO I have Blue Cross Blue Shield through my dad, and I paid less than $1000 out of pocket. I had a lot of pain and nausea two weeks afterward, so this includes a second ER visit, just to find out that I had a staple left inside of me (that visit was a lil over $8,000, quite steep considering that I was in there for a few hours). Anyway, got the hospital bill and the price without insurance blew me away: $38,000 for a lil under 24 hour stay! I now know why I don't go to the hospital. I'm a college student and don't know how I'll get the copay paid for. I have no money in my account right now, and have a credit card my mom charged in my name and stopped paying coming after me for money. Don't have money to pay them right now. If I did pay them (hospital or credit card), I wouldn't get to eat. Tried to have my mom arrested but the cops won't take the case cuz she's my mom. Told me to take it civil, but I can't talk to her without losing $30,000 in financial aid. This is just Murphy's Law I guess.
February 21, 2011 $96,000 - in Texas My wife was admitted to the hospital for acute appendicitis & peritonitis. Total hospital stay was 13 days at a cost of roughly $96,000, including her surgery and all associated costs. Aetna reduced the cost to about $22,000, of which we have to pay about $5000 (her deductible is $600, out of pocket maximum is $3000, and the rest are costs associated with Aetna not covering private rooms).
February 16, 2011 $29,000 - Carolyn in Sumter, SC Out of state (I live in NY), emergency, in 6:30 p.m. for laproscopic, out by 9:30 a.m. so one night in hospital. Critical care MD (250, my co-pay), CT scan, blood work, surgeon (3,200), hospital ($24,000). GHI covered less than half of tests & doc fees because I used out-of-network providers (SC doesn't HAVE GHI/Emblem); Empire Blue Cross no determination yet. And many citizens object to one-payer nationalized care. Nuts.
February 15, 2011 $1,200 - kushibo in Seoul, South Korea Actually, I don't know how much the "before insurance" cost is, since there's a single-payer type system there. I think it's around $2K or $3K if you don't stay in the single-bed rooms. I would have paid about $400 if I'd stayed in a multi-person room for the five days I was there. (They want to keep an eye on you, so they keep you there, but it's not that expensive.)
February 10, 2011 $31,569 - in Aspen , CO Blue Cross Blue Shield only covered $23,387. We had a high deductible of $5,000. The surprise came when the "out of network" surgeon bill arrived for $3724 and BCBS only would cover $478 of that. Their allowable is only $600.
February 1, 2011 $55,000 - in Concord, CA We had no insurance. This does not include doctor charges, etc. we just got a call from a group that wants to charge us $546 for reading the results of the CT Scan.
December 28, 2010 $130,000 - EC in New York, NY Perforated appendix, sepsis and diffuse peritonitis. UnitedHealthCare paid $45,000 based on their contracted rates with the docs/hospital, and I paid $4,500 out of pocket. Hospital, 9 days (including ER, CT scan and 1 day ICU): $85,000 Surgeon: (ileocecal resection + follow-up visits; the surgeon was paid 100% because it was an emergency and he was out of network. Customary and reasonable didn't apply under my policy with UHC.) $30,000 Other care providers (anesthesiologist, hospitalist, ER doc, radiologist, and Visiting Nurse Service for wound care): $15,000
December 9, 2010 $7,000 - m g hinton in panama city panama my friend has been sick off and on for months one problem after the other. two weeks ago he called me about 9 in the evening and told me he "could no longer stand the pain" i took him to patilla hospital. my wife went after his girl friend a soon to be a nurse . they had put him in a bed but would not administer any thing for pain he was in agony. he is a retired vet and kept telling them it was his appendix they said no kidney stones or something like it. i did not realize not speaking spanish very good they were waiting on money to actually admit him. after my wife and his girl friend arrived she got 500 from the atm and they gave him something for pain , we left got home around 1 or so in morning , at 8 the next morning anna told my wife that they wanted 1,000 to operate as it was appendicitis. i got there about 9:15 with the money according to their records they had used 470 of the 500 and would not proceed without more money , i was walking side ways in the admin because not one would listen to my bad spanish, the security guard kept telling me tranquil o, they will not let your friend die! " trust in god he said" i said " if god is a panamanian we are all f****d" .he was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair,,they took my grand had him in surgery within in an hour total cost about 7,000. he had the health insurance the company that went bust and had not found a replacement . he is better and was very proud of the way he was treated first class all the way he said. me for 7,000 grand i would have had to take mine out my self ..
October 31, 2010 $14,500 - in Portland, OR Kaiser Standard 1 day in hospital. No complications
October 28, 2010 $23,830 - in Los Angeles, CA My surgery was done laprascopicly. I arrived at the hospital around 1pm. Was stuck in the emergency room. They did a CT scan, and then did surgery at 6:30pm. Sent me home at 10:30pm! I have a $2,500 dollar deductible. The insurance company negotiated $9,770 off of the bill. I was still stuck paying $5,256. After seeing what people pay in other countries, I'm even more convinced that our medical system is completely messed up.
October 17, 2010 $0 - Stefanie in Italy Never saw any type of billing thing so couldn't tell you the actual cost that was absorbed by the healthcare system here. Assumed appendectomy that actually ended up being an ileocecal resection. 2 hours in surgery, 11 days in hospital. Payed ?8.50 for my prescription antacid after, but that was the only thing that was out of pocket. Still returning to the hospital every other day for dressing changes and they're processing more lab work to identify a possible cause.
October 1, 2010 $35,410 - in Anchorage, AK Diagnosed with gangrenous appendix (apparently considered ruptured) while on vacation. In ER at 6pm on Thur. Blood, urine, and CT tests done, pain and nausea meds and saline IV. Lapro surgery was about 1.5 hrs. Hospitalized in small private rm until Saturday night. Was on IV antibiotics and pain meds entire time. Also got heperin and pepcid(type) and cute little hospital socks that probably cost $20! One little tip from our accountant is that the hotel my hubby stayed in while I was hospitalized in Anchorage because we were on vacation is considered tax deductible as major medical expense as well as prescriptions after discharge.
September 26, 2010 $1,493 - Gary Hall in Hua Hin, Thailand Uninsured, private hospital. 3 days stay. Quality of care was very good. Doctors Fee: $272 Hospital: $148 Lab work: $136 Medication: $342 Operating Theater: $198 Anesthesia: $69 Medical Supplies: $224
September 21, 2010 $170,500 - Jack in Vail, Colorado Yes Laugh! $170,500 for an un-burst early appendectomy. Just received the bill. 20 minutes in the OR and 15 hours in the hospital. No I have not made a mistake. No I have not read the bill incorrectly. Over $2000 for 1 hour in the ER and a warm blanket - I did get a 15 minute consultation with a doctor who spent 10 of them on his cell phone discussing golf. My British inlaws were astounded, I think I may move there My father in-laws complicated burst appendectomy was free. You just need to laugh...
September 16, 2010 $0 - Daniel in Landstuhl Germany Well my story is that I was in intense pain for two full days, finally got an appointment for family practice at the hospital, immedietely according to my symptoms, I was sent to the ER for eval, submitted blood work and talked pre op with the surgeon, Blood work came back with high white cell count, we skipped the CT scan went strait for pre op, had the procedure done liproscopicly for minimal intrusion. I am on the third day of being on a patient ward recovering. have recieved Multiple dosings of morphine, tormdal percocet antibiotics Zantac Phenergan and IV fluids. S Im sure you are all wondering why this is all free eh? weelll Im in the army and as bad as life seems, there are always good parts!
September 4, 2010 $250 - in Europe These are the standard costs discovered in an EU funded research project of actual costs and reimbursement rates in a range of European countries for an apendectomy. See http://www.ehma.org/files/WP10%20REPORT_31_Jan-07_revised.pdf
August 5, 2010 $25,000 - Tom in Georgetown University Hospital - Washington D.C. Insurance provider - Aetna PPO. They covered almost everything except for about 300 dollars.
July 12, 2010 $242 - Desert K Cowart, Mrs. in Guasave, Sinaloa Mexico We live in Mexico. Our 14 yr old son came down with the symptoms while I was visiting in the US. When I arrived home, I looked up his problems on the net and suspected his appendix. Called my local doctor and she suggested immediate hospitalization. Surgery, triage, xrays, blood tests, operating room, surgeon and subsequent nursing care is included in this price. I paid for all medications and equipment seperately such as syringes, needles, gauze, etc. I also gave him all personal care such as helping him to the bathroom and feeding. I do not know yet how much of this Blue Cross will cover. This was just the day before yesterday. He is home, walking and playing video games. No problems or complications.
April 16, 2010 $12,990 - Anne in Dayton OH Childrens hospital, laproscopic appendectomy no complications. In ER sun 11 am, surgery sun 4:30, 6:00 recovery, 7:30 pm in room. Home 2 pm Mon. No insurance. Annoyed they are charging for 2 days in the hospital when the first day was 4.5 hrs and the second 14 hrs. Also $4.65 for one vicodin when I got 30 pills at pharmacy for $9.30. Charged for leaky bag of IV fluids they discarded and hooked a new 1 L bag 5 min before discharge. Bill break down $9237.39 hospital, includes ER, surgery suite, recovery, room, lab tests, x-ray, surgery supplies, anesthesia supplies, pharmacy, 2 days on short stay unit. Surgeon's bill $2436, anesthetist bill $1260 (including $180 for it being an "emergency", instead of a scheduled procedure), $48 for x-ray interpretation. Still no ER doc bill.
March 20, 2010 $15,000 - Amanda in MA My insurance covered all but $28 for the CT scan and $100 for the hospital co-pay $3500 for CT scan $1500 for surgery $1600 for anestesia $1100 for hospital room and board $900 for surgery supplies And there were all these other random things (IV, meds) that were listed at well, but the ones above are the biggies.
February 2, 2010 $44,000 - Peder Jacobson in Baptist Hospital Miami I live in Panama now and dropped my US insurance. I was visiting my family in miami. when....
February 1, 2010 $16,679 - Lee in Alberta Canada Emergency appendectomy while I was in Alberta Canada for Christmas. :( It was greatly perforated with abdominal abscess and pus drainage. Surgeon: $1,361 Anesthesiologist: $943 Hospital all inclusive incl. CT-Scan, continuous IV + pain med, blood tests for 6 days: $14,375 Insurance: Med Advantage from Regence - still being settled but working towards satisfactory conclusion. In Canada it is all flat fixed charges per condition rather than independent charges for each item used as in the US; hard for insurance to adjust to the difference.
December 7, 2009 $25,000 - Not Happy In SC in Easley, SC Palmetto Baptist Medical Center Didn't burst, stayed 2 nights, only CT scan, no x-ray. No complications.
October 17, 2009 $1,700 - Mukisa in Kampala, Uganda I am a US college student, and visited Kampala for an internship. I was diagnosed with appendicitis there. My appendix didn't burst, and overall the process went smoothly. I have a picture of my appendix (and the scar) as my souvenirs! Traditional scar, not laproscopic. Good luck with your upcoming appendectomy!
September 30, 2009 $27,102 - KH in Minneapolis, Minnesota The price reflects two nights stay in the hospital but excludes the prescriptions once released. My insurance, Health Partners paid for all but $150.00 (this is including my copay). I am unsure of costs of the components since my insurance company does not list how much each costs but rather the total net price.
August 24, 2009 $22,300 - in St Petersburg, FL ER, the blood work, X-rays, CT scan, use of the surgery suit and recovery, all my meds and IVs, nursing care, and the use of a hospital room for 1 day. Since I got to the ER at 2:00 am Thursday, and was discharged at 1:00 pm Friday. Still to come are the bills from the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Probably get one from the radiologist who read the X-rays and CT Scan too, and maybe one from the ER doc.
August 13, 2009 $3,360 - Andrew McDonald in Bamber Germany We were visiting relatives in Bamberg Germany and my daughter's appendix needed removal immediately. She stayed in the hospital for 3 days and I have yet to submit the paperwork. I'm interested in what Blue Cross/Blue Shield will do. Got back last night.
July 22, 2009 $93,000 - in memphis, tn appendix did not burst, however, supposedly would have w/in 2-3 days. surgery performed at 10 pm sunday night, released at approx 2 pm mon. operating room alone was $34,000. doctor's bill was most reasonable at $1,000.
July 6, 2009 $50,000 - in Stanford Hospital At Stanford Hospital, in 2008, my insurance bill shows: $515 for emergency service, $694 for diagnostics (probably the CT scans), $2486 for anesthesia, $2485 for the actual surgery procedure, and then of course, they put you in a room for at least one day, in my case it was night - morning - lunch - night - morning - lunch, then released, and room & board for that stay cost $41,194. My insurance (fortunately) covered everything except a $50 co-pay. Yes, this insurance has high premiums every months.
June 21, 2009 $60,000 - Sarah in Northwest Florida My daughter recently had her appendix taken out. The total hospital bill, not including doctors' fees, was $60K. Insurance covered $55K. No complications, caught it early, in the hospital less than 2 days. The CT scan alone was $11K! I am contacting hospital about this...seems very high.
December 19, 2008 $265,000 - Diana in Los Angeles Like Rachel in Phoenix, a ton of complications since the first hospital I went to discharged me even though their CT scan showed I had a perforated appendix (all they gave me was a Vicodin prescription!). So, since my appendix burst, I was in the hospital for three weeks as well. :( Thankfully, because I'm insured, I only paid less than $3,000.
December 15, 2008 $250,000 - Rachel in Phx A whole lot of complications mine actually burst.. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks too..
December 3, 2008 $40,000 - Pat in San Francisco Mine got infected so there was a whole lot of complications. Shouldn't normally cost that much. I was on my parent's insurance at the time, so we didn't have to pay the entire thing out of pocket. http://www.surgerycosts.net/price.php?medical=appendectomy
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