# Went to the ER last night. What will it cost? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819 "2003-06-27T19:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/41 "2003-07-22T06:45:25Z")
So, **lightingtool** : didja get a bill yet? Who wins the pool ? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/42 "2003-07-22T13:22:54Z")
My kid had a bout of colitis and went to the ER. They took some blood and his vitals, and I think an x-ray. They kept him over night. The bill…$6K, give or take. Those fuckers need to die. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/43 "2003-07-22T14:20:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by thatDDperson \* > \*\* The anesthesiologist, who actually did nothing but decide that she didn’t need an anesthesiologist wants all $650. > > We’ve written to them asking for a detail of WHY that costs $650. And now we’re writing to the various Medical Societies involved, and seeking a fraud investigation. > > Backing out the anesthesiologist, accounting for inflation and differences in COL between areas…I’ll bid an even 2 grand, Bob. \*\* WRT the anesthesiologist, he may have talked to your goddaughter for all of five minutes, but you can bet he spent some time looking at whatever tests had been done, and he probably spent some time with her primary treating physician discussing her case. This is not to say that he deserves $650.00. I’m just saying that it’s probably not fraud. I’d tell your goddaughter to pay them five bucks a month till it’s paid off. The anesthesiologist has the right to collect his full fee, but they can’t take a patient to court as long as a goodwill effort is made to pay the debt. Five dollars a month is a goodwill effort. Robin ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/44 "2003-07-22T14:47:19Z")
Some time, Robin? Even if it was an hour, at that rate, presuming a 40 hour work week that means that an anesthesiologist who never performs a procedure on a parent but only reviews records and has brief chats could bill out at over $1.3 million a year. :eek: I’m not typically comfortable with assigning a monetary value to such invaluable work as medicine, but that much money for consultations only is, well, kind of disgusting. My guess on this bill is, unfortunately, $1,938.73. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/45 "2003-07-22T15:42:02Z")
Well, you have to keep in mind two factors, **tlw**. First off, emergency _anything_ costs a lot more than standard care during normals business hours. That applies to doctors, veterinarians, plumbers, electricians, tow trucks, _everything_. My neurologist used to charge $100 for a 15 minute standard office visit in which she did an abbreviated neuro exam, asked if I’d had any seizures, and wrote me a new script. My last trip to the ER, I was seen by a PA, not a doctor, and the exam cost $250. Given those numbers, I’m really kind of surprised that an emergency anesthesia consult didn’t cost a lot more. There’s also the cost of malpractice insurance. Premiums for anesthesiologists are horrendously high, simply because of the 5% of the time something goes wrong during anesthesia. (Things generally go just fine, but when they go wrong they tend to go _way_ wrong.) Hell, anesthesiologists get sued over patient deaths that had absolutely nothing to do with the anesthesia. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/46 "2003-07-22T16:02:24Z")
I got 4 stiches in the lip, one doctor, no nurses. I have good insurance. It still cost me $289.00 for the visit. I went to a small hospital in Orlando, Florida ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/47 "2003-07-22T16:08:06Z")
I got 4 stiches in the lip, one doctor, no nurses. I have good insurance. It still cost me $289.00 for the visit. I went to a small hospital in Orlando, Florida ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/48 "2003-07-22T16:15:56Z")
I got 4 stiches in the lip, one doctor, no nurses. I have good insurance. It still cost me $289.00 for the visit. I went to a small hospital in Orlando, Florida ---
**Author:** ![lightingtool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@lightingtool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightingtool)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/49 "2003-07-22T16:26:02Z")
Hey, I never said anything about giving away a pool. (huh? oh, never mind) I actually haven’t gotten any bills yet, which seems kind of strange. I guess I should somebody about that. I’ll keep you all updated… **Thumb Update** It’s all healed up, and now if I get two puncture wounds right above my new scar, I’ll have a built in smiley-face on my thumb. Yippeee. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/50 "2003-07-22T16:31:01Z")
Anesthesiologists also take a bath on insurance reimbursement. While a consult may not cost _you_ anything if you have insurance, the anesthesiologist may have to write off as much as two-thirds to three-quarters of his fee. Under our system, people without insurance subsidize the people who do. Another argument for socialized medicine. Robin ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/51 "2003-07-22T16:34:18Z")
I’ll guess $570. That’s not based on any knowledge or experience. Just looking for a gap in all the other guesses. I hope your thumb heals quickly and that the bill doesn’t cause further trauma. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/52 "2003-07-22T21:31:10Z")
My hubby had two stitches last year, and that was $400. Soo … I’ll give a WAG of $875.81. ---
**Author:** ![wawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f05b48/32.png) [@wawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wawa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/53 "2003-07-22T23:43:40Z")
Two months ago, I had thirteen stitches on my outer wrist (also a kitchen accident). Anyway, the Physician’s bill was for 297.00 the ER facility bill was for 752.00 Insurance paid all but $199 (co pay plus con-insurance) The good news is, you can go back to the same facility to get the stitches out for free – and since most hospitals have one-time use medical trays, you’ve paid for everything they touch you with. So make sure you take the tweezers, the scissors, and any bandages with you. I know, it doesn’t make much of a difference, but it makes you feel a little better having something to show for your efforts – other than a nasty little scar. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/54 "2003-07-23T02:09:08Z")
I could tell you the cost in Ontario. Up front: zero Doctor’s fee for visit, stitches, splint: about $90 Canadian Actual cost to taxpayers: about $200 Canadian ---
**Author:** ![lightingtool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@lightingtool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightingtool)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/55 "2003-07-27T02:25:57Z")
Well, I got the bill today. Very exciting. For those that care, I have a $50 copay. The total was (before copay): $886.11 Yep, that’s it. Unfortunately, I did not receive an itemized list, so I can’t break it down for you. Good old Blue Sheild took car of all that. So, it looks like the winner is… **Avarie537** Yay! Cheers and all that. Email me with your address (I’m not a sicko, I promise) and I’ll send you a $10 gift certificate to [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com). Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/56 "2003-07-27T02:57:03Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dr\_Paprika_ > I could tell you the cost in Ontario. > > Up front: zero > > Doctor’s fee for visit, stitches, splint: about $90 Canadian > > Actual cost to taxpayers: about $200 Canadian Wait for the one X-Ray machine in town: 3 weeks Canadian 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/57 "2003-07-27T13:13:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lightingtool \* > \*\*Well, I got the bill today. Very exciting. For those that care, I have a $50 copay. The total was (before copay): > > $886.11 > \ \*\* Educated guess as to the amount the hospital received after contractual discount: $300. Trust me on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Niggle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Niggle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niggle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/58 "2003-07-27T19:24:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by USCDiver \* > \*\*Wait for the one X-Ray machine in town: 3 weeks Canadian > > 😃 \*\* This is a pretty big misconception about social health care. I only infrequently have to get an x-ray taken, but on the times that I have it has been no more than a 45 minute wait to get it done. Even though, given my job, if I was in the states I would have excellent medical insurance (even here I have great extended health coverage) I wouldn’t trade systems for anything. Social medical coverage has it’s problems (those waits you mention certainly exist when needing an MRI or elective surgery) but it sure beats a system where the poor subsidize the rich. -n ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/59 "2003-07-28T02:52:58Z")
Thank you, Thank you! Wow - maybe I’ve found a new career. Hmmmmmmm … ---
**Author:** ![finette6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@finette6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/finette6)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819/60 "2003-07-28T03:35:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by USCDiver \* > \*\*Wait for the one X-Ray machine in town: 3 weeks Canadian > > 😃 \*\* Hey, scroo yoo, mann. I’d rather wait a while for an xray than spend then next 3 years worrying myself to death about how to pay my bills. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/went-to-the-er-last-night-what-will-it-cost/184819.md?page=4)