anti-democrap

Got hit with a sudden $4,100 emergency room bill after an allergic reaction last month. Called the hospital billing department to request an itemized statement before paying. The representative said: "Sure, we can send that, but your account is currently coded under our self-pay hardship rate." Two days later, the itemized bill arrived in the mail. The total was suddenly $9,800. I called back confused. The rep said: "Requesting an itemized review removes the automatic self-pay discount. You are now billed at our standard chargemaster rate." A $5,700 penalty just for asking to see what I was being charged for. Medical billing isn't pricing. It’s a legal extortion racket where transparency costs you extra.