Question

Enlighten me please - I delivered my girl at Rush Copley (biggest regret with all the experiences I had) So today I got another bill for $562. 60 (after 5 months) under my girls name, born Sep 4th. I had scheduled c section and I paid around $2800. 00 for my 2. 5 day stay which included doctors, physicians, anesthesiologists fees etc and the balance was all paid same month. Now when I called Rush today about this new statement of $562. 60, they said it’s facility charges. I asked can you elaborate please? She said as baby was in crib for 2. 5 days, we are getting charged for that. Insurance has paid $2400. 00 already and rest is $562. 60 which we have to pay? I am literally shocked! For my baby to spend 2. 5 days in their acrylic box we are paying all that money? Sorry but I m confused. I delievered my first child in Edward with fucking brilliant experience. They advised us to call insurance within 31days and add newborn and that’s it. We never paid any additional money for him . In fact he was in NICU for 3 days and I was in hospital for 5 days. At Rush, We provided everything for my newborn like diapers, clothes etc. she was breastfeeding from first minute and nothing was taken from hospital so what is she paying for? Renting a crib for 2. 5 days? Well my husband stayed there for same time in that shitty little train compartment what they call ROOM- why isn’t he getting charged? He used more services than my newborn like their coffee, their bathroom etc. EDIT- I am not looking for any financial help. It’s just ethically wrong. And I wanna fight about it’s let your suggestions flow. Thanks mama

Answer 1

Ask for an itemized list of things they are charging you for and you will see how fast they will retract some of the stuff they are billing you for!  

Comments

@phonetician yes ! Ask for this and call your insurance to disputing and run it again

Answer 2

Yup that’s unfortunately our healthcare. I delivered my 2nd one at Edward and we were charged for the nursery fee. Even though we did not even to use the nursery at all with our 3 day stay!  

Comments

@schlesien Same! I was so confused about that charge!  

Answer 3

That is customary billing for labor and delivery.  

Answer 4

We have had to request the billing summary a few times. Sometimes that seemed to make them go away. I just got a bill this week from Rush and my daughter just turned 1.  

Answer 5

Health Insurance, necessary evil that sucks even when you have the best plan. Sorry! That really sucks and they bill and code for every little thing to get more from the insurance. Maybe call your insurance?  

Answer 6

It all depends on the billing codes used, and yes billing can be delayed. they have a year to bill you.  

Answer 7

I would contact the financial team and ask for some financial help.  

Answer 8

You will be getting seperate bills up to about a year. For you and seperate from baby. Things like anesthesia, pharmacy, delivery, each doctor, pediatrician etc. I got most of mine within 6 months after delivery. I delivered at Hinsdale and CDH now I think it's called Northwestern central DuPage.  

Answer 9

Ugh I’m so sorry mama. It didn’t happen to me when I gave birth, but when I had surgery in September I paid my co pay (we have HMO) and usually that’s it, then I got a bill later for co-insurance (we only have one, I still don’t understand this but my hubby does) and a facility fee. Apparently the fee for the OR isn’t covered. I was like well let me know next time and you can do my surgery in the waiting room. So sorry mama. I know it’s frustrating and feels criminal! It was a different hospital, not rush. They all find a way to nickel and dime you  

Answer 10

My daughter was born jan 2019 and I received a bill oct 2019 for my daughters portion which was thousands of dollars without insurance. This was at Edward's.  

Comments

This was on top of the thousands I paid for myself with insurance. And the 5k I paid in pediatrician bills her first 2 months of life without insurance.  

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No nicu stay. 3 days.  

Answer 11

I delivered at Copley in 2019 and never had that charge for my baby. We had to pay for the NICU with our first a few years prior but that was expected. I don’t recall a separate charge for the baby’s stay.  

Answer 12

I agree with others recommendations to request an itemized bill and see if that helps things any. I’ve never done it before but I’ve heard it works at cutting things down. To commiserate, I just got a bill earlier this month for physicians’ fees from the 3 days my son spent in the NICU after he was born in May. I know we paid a rather large NICU bill but I didn’t realize it didn’t include the physicians’ fees. And, conveniently, I couldn’t use my FSA funds to pay it because my account had its annual rollover and will not cover any expenses prior to the rollover date. It’s all so silly and cumbersome. And I work in federal physician reimbursement policy. It’s a hot mess. Good luck, momma!  

Answer 13

Same disappointing billing cycle and real painful c section experience at Edwards. My doctor blamed everything on my previous c section delivery which was in another state Arkansas.  

Answer 14

I’ve always been charged for myself and my child separately, once they are born they get different care. It’s normal.  

Answer 15

That’s expensive for that crib . So many moms wouldn’t use those if the nurses wouldn’t bitch about us laying with our babies  

Answer 16

I had a horrible experience with the billing department at rush Copley after having my son there via c-section. We got our final bill AFTER he turned a year old. We changed drs and are delivering at Edwards with our second because our experience was so terrible. I’m really hoping for a better experience this time around. Sorry you are dealing with this. I don’t have much advice but definitely think requesting an itemized bill may help.  

Answer 17

Funny I just received a bill from my daughters birth. 3 years ago! My insurance covered all of mine so what I received from them months after she was born was just a statement and saying insurance covered it. Now I received this for my daughter 3 yrs later?! Ugh and we don’t have the same insurance so I have to dig and find that info again and she why the hell theyre billing me this late etc

Comments

Geez I thought 15 months later was bad.  

Answer 18

I delivered at Edwards in March, didn’t get any extra bills.  

Answer 19

Has your insurance changed since you delivered at Edwards? That may explain why the billing is different. But I agree about asking for an itemized bill - you should know what you're paying for, even if you do end up owing that money. I fought a bill I got in 2019 for $5k from Edward for a miscarriage in 2017(?! ) - it took almost an entire year of back and forth but it ended up being insurance billing issue and I didn't owe any of it. You can also call the insurance and ask about the specific claim and they can help you understand if you do owe it based on your plan.  

Answer 20

I delivered my son at Edward in December. I fail by my not paying it yet but I’m too confused on a Nursery charge ! Like a charge after I gave birth to have a night to somewhat sleep even though I was breastfeeding they brought baby to me every 2-4 hours.  

Answer 21

I called Edward to get clarification on the nursery charge and they said it is for checking baby weight, feeding, wet/dirty diapers, temperature etc while they are there

Answer 22

All the more reason I would birth at home on my next one ☝

Comments

@baudin74825. I did. almost 30 years ago. best experience ever! (even if she did arrive before the doctor! lol)

Answer 23

Different hospitals, different billing practices. Ask for itemized bills for both you and the baby. Then see if your insurance company will review them. The charge is probably more than just the "crib". Side note: last time my mom was in the hospital (gall bladder surgery) she had to fight charges from 3 different doctors. They came into her room on their "rounds" and signed her chart, so the hospital billed her for their time. None of them were her doctor or from her doctor's medical practice. She said at most they asked her how she was feeling. She thinks they were trying to take advantage of an old lady, but maybe this practice is more common at some hospitals?  

Comments

@mohandis6 so 3 different drs have to be 3 specialties. General dr, surgeon & Anesthesiology maybe ? Insurance won’t pay otherwise

Answer 24

Call your insurance to discuss the bills with them to be sure you are being correctly billed by the provider

Answer 25

I am currently fighting them on a simple billing issue on their end to not cover my sons flu shot although the rest of us 3 are no issue. It’s literally a “billing coding” error and no one will help me or fix it. Even if you end up owing and it’s right check everything. It’s been so stupid and frustrating for me to check on this weekly with little to no response.  

Answer 26

Once you verify that these are accurate insurance approved charges, call the hospital billing department and negotiate. Bills paid in full over the phone with Edward hospital are given an immediate 15% discount if you ask. Edward is a non for profit hospital, I don't know if Rush is.  

Answer 27

Def get an itemized list. Also they offer between 10%-15% (depending on the day) off your bill if paid in full when you call. Always do this!  

Answer 28

I’m impressed your bills were that low!  

Answer 29

Sorry you had a bad experience at rush Copley. I had my first child there and had great experience w/ them. I had to pay copays too but everything was billed to me w/in the first 3mons of birth

Answer 30

Did you tour the hospital prior to delivering your baby? Just curious.  

Comments

@thorn98096 the birthing rooms are a great size just recovery is small but you are not there long

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@horselaugh I worked in a NICU at a nearby hospital- and I’d read the surveys regarding the post partum experience and I feel like a lot of people are expecting a hotel like atmosphere. it’s frustrating. As a new mom, I took it for what it was- a hospital room to recover in for 24-48 hours. I sent my husband home to sleep knowing the pullouts aren’t comfortable at all.  

Answer 31

Call your insurance to be sure they are not billing you for something already paid for

Answer 32

I had a charge with another hospital for a facility charge (this was a specialist visit not even an inpatient stay). This charge was even higher for a 10 minute follow up appointment (my daughter had finished radiation a month prior). It was a nightmare to deal with this bill and eventually my insurance company made an exception and paid it because even they could not get a decent explanation from the hospital what exactly they were charging a facility fee for. I would get an itemized bill and call your insurance company, I found mine to be very helpful after I had talked to the hospital monthly as they were processing my appeal for the bill. Good luck.  

Answer 33

Oh wow! That’s crazy. I literally hated the room when I visited a friend there so I made sure I had both my kids at Edwards. Rush scared me

Answer 34

I had an uncomplicated water birth there in August and I got a decent bill for me for all my prenatal care and 24 hour stay, but the only thing we paid for her was for her hearing test. but she was in my arms 24/7 basically from the moment she was born. I’d ask your insurance about it ‍♀️

Answer 35

I work in surgery and we charge 3x what the hospital pays for patient’s items. It’s ridiculous. Ask to see a breakdown of your bill.  

Answer 36

I delivered at Edward and got an detailed bill and saw one Ibuprofen billed for 3dollars , breast pump they said 10 but for using it once I paid 60

Answer 37

I’ve had two terrible experiences with rush. first time was when i had a miscarriage and had to get a d&c because my body couldn’t miscarry on its own, got billed for it called insurance to see why i owed so much since insurance barely paid anything they said that it was because of the way they billed it stating it wasn’t medically necessary, idk all the crazy terms for it. which blew my mind. and as of recent my dad was in the ER and was admitted for 4 days, he got a bill for 36k not 3600 but 36000! because they billed insurance wrong once again. i would call your insurance! i had to call insurance for my dad and have them resubmit the claim correctly!  

Comments

@sutphin1803 omg $36k?! That’s crazy but I’m glad I had great experience w/ giving birth to Lexi there

Answer 38

I’ve delivered there and had a wonderful experience, twice and no billing issues. Ask for a itemized list of charges to see what you can fight?  

Answer 39

It’s a bed charge. You’re baby is still getting a qualified nurse that assessed the baby every shift or more often.  

Answer 40

Just Deliverd at Edwards my Total bill was 18k babys was 8k the room charge for me alone was 9k . Only thing out of the ordinary was my baby needed an xray but under 3k sounds low to me if thats before insurance. My out of pocket for both of us was around 1k

Answer 41

It was not a delivery but I had a surgery and 2 week stay at Copley in June. My bill was several hundred thousand dollars and all we paid was my deductible. I did receive random bills after from various doctors, labs etc but when I’d call they’d just hold off and eventually everything got paid. Sometimes things had to be resubmitted. Could it be your insurance and not necessarily the hospital? I have also had a stillborn baby as well as a d & c for missed miscarriage there and don’t recall major billing issues. I personally have nothing but good things to say about Copley.  

Answer 42

My daughter is 2 last week. A bill from the hospital came 2 weeks ago for her birth. It was $5, 800. I'm fighting it.  

Comments

@tabby Lynn my daughter is 5 and I’m still fighting over $5k. Insurance claims her post-birth hospital stay wasn’t preapproved as required. Her delivery, yes - but not her existence afterward. ‍♀️

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@defrayal9 oh my. ‍♀️ is right! Ridiculous

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@underrate108 this company and insurance makes me  

Answer 43

It usually comes down to the kind of insurance you have. When I had my daughter at Good Sam I had phenomenal insurance through my job. It was a QPOS plan, imagine combining all the best parts of an HMO and PPO into one. I paid $0 to have her. Only issue was a late anesthesiologist bill that I fought (he was out of network, but I wasn't given a choice of providers). Fast forward 3 years and I had my son at Edward. We had my husband's PPO and for me it was $0, but it was $1600 for my son because well visits weren't covered. Um. he was BORN, not a well visit.  

Answer 44

It may not be the hospitals fault, insurances are notorious for accepting some charges and fighting others, I’d talk to a rep in billing, also, usually if you request to pay in full they will take off 20- 30%

Answer 45

I think there should be a statute of limitations on medical bills. Why are you just getting this bill now? I would call your insurance company and ask them what they think of this bill and why they approved it. Also have them explain why your out of pocket for it is so high. I think you have room to fight this. Keep asking questions. Contact the patient advocate or escalations team at the hospital.  

Answer 46

You report that you paid the doctors, physicians, anesthesiologists. those are not the facility fee. The facility fee is usually for the care of the patient and fee paid to the hospital. All the equipment costs, nursing care, technicians, security, linens, meals, housekeeping, utilities, staff training etc. Some people pay $562 for a hotel and never receive any professional or life saving care. Just depends on what your insurance covers.  

Answer 47

I Unfortunately had a similar bad experience at rush. I was very unhappy with the service and it took me a few months to get $ adjusted through insurance. You will need a detailed breakdown and speak with supervisors when you contact your insurance company.  

Answer 48

Hospitals nickel and dime for everything. I delivered at Rush a year ago and seemed like I was receiving bills for the longest time. I didn't question anything, just put them on a payment plan. I did get a discount for paying my initial chunk in full. I think they brought it down around $1400.  

Answer 49

My Rush bill (no insurance) was $26, 000. Bills kept coming and I spent much of my pregnancy and newborn phase calling and visiting the billing department to try to get some answers.  

Answer 50

I’ve found that “facility charges” seem to be a new way for the hospital or medical office to get more money. The cost of services are usually capped due to negotiations with insurance companies. My husband went to an immediate care and saw a doctor for less than 5 minutes when he thought he had pink eye. Insurance paid for the visit (beside our $35 copay) but the office charged $100 for a “facility fee” which they claim is to keep the facility going. Our insurance does not cover “facility fees” at all. Now I always ask before going to any medical office if they charge facility fees or not. Sad that we have to do that.  

Answer 51

Call your insurance company if they are an in network provider they can’t do that. call them.!