How to Read Your Hospital Bill and Spot Errors
The average medical bill is filled with codes and charges that make no sense. That confusion is expensive. It leads most people to pay whatever they are told without question.
Request the Right Document
Call billing and ask for a complete itemized statement with CPT codes. The summary bill you receive in the mail is not the real bill.
Common Errors to Look For
- Duplicate charges for the same service
- Charges for services you never received
- Upcoding — billing for a more expensive procedure than was done
- Incorrect insurance information causing claim rejections
Look Up Fair Prices
Go to fairhealthconsumer.org and enter the CPT code from your bill. See what that procedure actually costs in your area. Many hospitals charge 3 to 10 times the fair price.
Dispute What Is Wrong
Call billing, identify the specific charge, reference the CPT code and fair price you found, and ask them to correct it. If refused, escalate to a billing supervisor.
