A mom was shocked by a large ER bill for her 3-year-old daughter, despite the child never being seen by a doctor during the visit.
An Illinois mother recently shared her surprise and frustration after receiving a hefty emergency room bill for her daughter, who never made it past the waiting room.
This incident has raised questions about medical costs and billing practices in hospitals.
The hospital visit ended without seeing a doctor.
In December 2023, Maggi Wettstein took her three-year-old daughter, Ryan, to Carle Health Methodist Hospital.
Ryan woke up crying and seemed very upset.
Concerned that her daughter might have a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection (UTI), Maggi decided to take her to the emergency room around 10:30 PM.
When they arrived, the ER was not very busy. Maggi explained Ryan’s symptoms to the staff, and the little girl was checked in.
After checking in, Ryan underwent a nasal swab test to check for COVID-19.
As they waited for results, Maggi noticed that Ryan started to feel better and stopped crying.
After waiting, Maggi decided to take Ryan home as it was late and he had preschool the next day.
However, when they tried to check out, there was no one at the desk to assist them. So, they simply left the hospital.
Mom hit by huge ER bill for 3-year-old daughter who never was seen by doctor
Months later, the Wettstein family received a surprising bill in the mail, reminding them of their visit.
Maggi was taken aback to find a charge of $445 for the emergency room visit, despite Ryan never seeing a doctor.
After applying an insurance discount, the amount due was just over $298.
Maggi felt this was an outrageous sum for a simple nasal swab test.
The mom had questions about the medical billing process
Maggi expressed her disbelief at the high cost, especially since she could buy similar COVID-19 tests at Walgreens for only about $30.
The mother couldn’t understand why the hospital charged so much for no treatment or doctor consultation.
She struggled to understand why the hospital charged so much for no treatment or doctor consultation.
She hoped it was a mistake, but unfortunately, the amount was confirmed, and she was required to pay the bill.
The expert provided commentary on medical billing practices.
Loren Adler, an associate director at the Brookings Institution Center on Health Policy, commented on the situation.
He explained that hospitals often mark up prices significantly, taking advantage of their market position.
Adler explained that insurance companies struggle against high charges, causing situations like Maggi’s.
The issue of high medical bills is not new, and many families across the country have faced similar experiences.
This case has reignited discussions about healthcare costs and the need for transparency in medical billing.
The hospital responded to the billing concerns promptly.
Carle Health’s spokesperson stated the hospital follows policies ensuring patient safety and well-being.
They emphasized the importance of initial triage for symptomatic patients in the emergency department.
“We follow policies that support the safety and wellbeing of our patients, which includes the initial triage of symptomatic patients to the Emergency Department.”