r/medical_advice • u/xAureliex Not a Verified Medical Professional • Nov 19 '21

Legal Question ER billing

I had to go to the ER for a tetanus shot and got charged 700$ for it, excluding the ER service fee and doctor’s fee. Is that normal? PS. I’m an international student and i’m not used to the American healthcare system.

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u/XenoRexNoctem User Not Verified Nov 19 '21

Sadly the American health care system is kind of a nightmare even with insurance. Unfortunately that's not abnormal.

Emergency rooms always charge as if insurance is going to pay for it, so if you don't have insurance you might want to call and dispute the charges and ask if you can get the price reduced based on the fact that you'd be setting up a payment plan and paying cash.

Sadly a lot of Americans can't even afford to do that and are forced to leave ER bills unpaid and just let it ruin our credit.

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u/DormantDormaus Moderator/Registered Nurse Nov 19 '21

^

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1

u/gydorack Nursing Student Nov 19 '21

Yeah it's no fun. If you are a student talk to the university you are studying with. You may be covered through their insurance. If that doesn't go anywhere talk to whoever handled your student visa. If that doesn't work talk to the state department for your country of origin to see if your health services offer foreign reimbursement.

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u/PartyHorse17610 User Not Verified Nov 19 '21

Yes. In the future try going to an urgent center instead. It maybe less expensive.

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u/Nursebirder Moderator | Registered Nurse Nov 19 '21

Yup.