Medical bill outstanding

O

Olorin

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Hi guys,

I need some advice.

I was admitted to hospital and, during my admission, I was issued with two invoices. I paid both in full at the time.

Based on those invoices, and what I was presented with during my stay, I reasonably believed that my account was fully settled.

Three weeks later, now into the new year, I received an SMS stating that there is a further outstanding amount, and it is a significant one.

At no point during my admission, discharge, or in the weeks immediately after was I informed that there would be additional charges still to come.

I did not budget for this amount, as I had every reason to believe the matter was closed once the two invoices were issued and paid.

I’m trying to understand whether this is normal practice and whether I have any recourse here — including whether this is something that could or should be taken to small claims court.

Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated.
 
You'll get an invoice from the hospital for the room/facilities, one from the pharmacy most likely for any drugs issued, and then probably one from each doctor involved in your care. And then probably a separate one from pathology for any scans/tests.
 
Olorin said:
Hi guys,

I need some advice.

I was admitted to hospital and, during my admission, I was issued with two invoices. I paid both in full at the time.

Based on those invoices, and what I was presented with during my stay, I reasonably believed that my account was fully settled.

Three weeks later, now into the new year, I received an SMS stating that there is a further outstanding amount, and it is a significant one.

At no point during my admission, discharge, or in the weeks immediately after was I informed that there would be additional charges still to come.

I did not budget for this amount, as I had every reason to believe the matter was closed once the two invoices were issued and paid.

I’m trying to understand whether this is normal practice and whether I have any recourse here — including whether this is something that could or should be taken to small claims court.

Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated.
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Sinbad said:
You'll get an invoice from the hospital for the room/facilities, one from the pharmacy most likely for any drugs issued, and then probably one from each doctor involved in your care. And then probably a separate one from pathology for any scans/tests.
Click to expand...
Some of them take their time. Only got a bill from the surgeon more then a month later.
 
So this is normal? I just find it ridiculous that I'm now being asked to settle an amount i didn't budget for. Now the holidays are over, I'm broke.
 
Olorin said:
So this is normal? I just find it ridiculous that I'm now being asked to settle an amount i didn't budget for. Now the holidays are over, I'm broke.
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Sadly the fact you didn't budget for it isn't the problem of the service provider.

This is why it's crucial to have some kind of hospital plan and if possible gap cover if you want to have health care in SA.
 
Park@82 said:
IMO talk to them and explain your situation. Ask them if you can make a payment plan for the outstanding amount. Pay it off over x time.
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This, this is very common practice. When we had my sons emergency room visit for an unknown allergy we settled the invoice that evening and received the additional/final one during the week. This was communicated to us though.
 
Sinbad said:
Sadly the fact you didn't budget for it isn't the problem of the service provider.

This is why it's crucial to have some kind of hospital plan and if possible gap cover if you want to have health care in SA.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but what makes it difficult as well is to budget for a unknown amount. IE budget 5K, then the bill comes and it is 10K.
 
Olorin said:
Hi guys,

I need some advice.

I was admitted to hospital and, during my admission, I was issued with two invoices. I paid both in full at the time.

Based on those invoices, and what I was presented with during my stay, I reasonably believed that my account was fully settled.

Three weeks later, now into the new year, I received an SMS stating that there is a further outstanding amount, and it is a significant one.

At no point during my admission, discharge, or in the weeks immediately after was I informed that there would be additional charges still to come.

I did not budget for this amount, as I had every reason to believe the matter was closed once the two invoices were issued and paid.

I’m trying to understand whether this is normal practice and whether I have any recourse here — including whether this is something that could or should be taken to small claims court.

Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Did you ask for a quote beforehand?

Unfortunately this is why having a minimum hospital cover is essential in South Africa. Even then I ask for a quote on everything and check what will be covered by the medical aid. This will cover all the specialists and doctors involved. Only stuff that is not included is the out of hospital costs and medicine afterwards. And in case of an emergency where there is no time, a hospital cover should cover a majority of the PMB conditions. You can also fill in forms to claim for pre-hospital visits that lead to admition for the PMB.
 
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It is common and it even gets worse.
I once had debt collectors after me for a bill I never received.
 
Brawler said:
It is common and it even gets worse.
I once had debt collectors after me for a bill I never received.
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You can also make arrangements with the hospital directly before it leads to debt collectors.

OP talk to the hospital / specialists. Some of them might be reasonable and/or work out a payment plan.
 
Olorin said:
So this is normal? I just find it ridiculous that I'm now being asked to settle an amount i didn't budget for. Now the holidays are over, I'm broke.
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Did you get quotes? Was this a sudden thing or planned? Is it a new bill or and adjustment of one issued before?
 
RedViking said:
Did you ask for a quite beforehand?

Unfortunately this is why having a minimum hospital cover is essential in South Africa. Even then I ask for a quote on everything and check what will be covered by the medical aid. This will cover all the specialists and doctors involved. Only stuff that is not included is the out of hospital costs and medicine afterwards. And in case of an emergency where there is no time, a hospital cover should cover a majority of the PMB conditions. You can also fill in forms to claim for pre-hospital visits that lead to admition for the PMB.
Click to expand...
PMBs are also claimable out of hospital, much to some schemes disgust.
 
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