During my career I have worked in a variety of settings, from pediatrics to the burn unit, to neuro, trauma, cardiac, surgical and medical intensive care units and in the emergency department. And mostly the patients were grateful for the care they received.

When they are lying in the hospital bed, costs and the bill aren't upper most in their minds. More than once family members have told me to do everything you can for their loved one.

It is when they get home, weeks later, when they receive the bill that the surprise comes. And while most I am sure feel they should pay a portion of the bill, some are completely dumbfounded how a 3 day hospital stay can rack up tens of thousands of dollars.

No doubt you have heard stories about out of control costs and bills being sent to collections, they are easy to find online. And I can imagine the anguish and pain some must feel, not being able to pay there debts.

So in keeping with the tradition of patient advocacy that nurses adhere to, this blog will examine some actual hospital and medical bills. Throughout the weeks ahead you will see how those debts may be overcharged or in error of 400% or more.

There are excellent resources on the internet including 10 Ways to Avoid Outrageous Hospital Overcharges. But I intend to provide more information and examples from the bills I have audited.

Follow along as hospital bills are examined, and in one case you can decide if the hospital billing and coding department was guilty of fraud.

For a free consultation to lower your hospital bill visit us at www.southwestmedreview.com