Expert: Ray A Miller - 10/22/2008

Question
I was told by the Finance Department at my local Hospital that the Emergency Room Staff are prohibited by law from telling you what the services cost before they are performed.  You sign an agreement of financial liability before they treat you, but you are not given any idea of what the charge might be.  Had I known that the fee for taking my blood pressure and temp, and getting a prescription for two meds from a Dr. was going to be $2150.00 I would have gone to an Urgent Care clinic.  I'm trying to get the bill reduced because they didn't do any treatment, just BP, Temp. and talking.  I'd be willing to pay a few hundred, but not thousands.....

Answer
I do not know of a law preventing the ER staff from telling you costs.  I would think that Hospital policy would prohibit it because the ER Doctors do not know what is going to be entailed in your treatment until they examine you.  I must say that $2,150.00 sounds quite high for the services you show as receiving.  I certainly would call the ER Director and inquire and if this is true, complain. If you have a hard time convincing the Director, offer to call your local TV station and suggest that they investigate it.  Hospital are usually very PR orientated and do not want negative coverage.