[in the wind]

After 5 five days of low grade pain, in my side, I decided it was time to go to the after hours clinic. After triage I was sent to the ER instead. The ensuing abdominal CT scan clearly showed the swollen/inflamed pancreas. Some meds and several days rest and things are all good again. While I am glad to feel better it is bittersweet to realize that this 2 hour visit to the hospital will most likely cover the annual family deductible for our insurance.

[steve86]

My girl just ran up $700 in the ER for a sprained finger (really did nothing, just Xray, finger splint and ibuprofen). We really did have to take her in because the symptomology suggested there was a fracture (even made a “cracking” sound).

In 2.5 hours in December I ran up a $3500 bill mainly due to an upper GI endoscopy. ER physicians bill separately which always surprises the newcomers ($450; at most five minutes consultation).

[Publius6961]

While I am glad to feel better it is bittersweet to realize that this 2 hour visit to the hospital will most likely cover the annual family deductible for our insurance.

I went to the ER for the first time in my life in 2004.
I was there 12 hours, but actually being attended by doctors or nurses for a total of 1 hour, including filling out forms very slowly.

Total charge?

$6000+

I imagine it's gone up since.