Posted by Casey on 1/24/2006, 9:44 am, in reply to "Re: punctured colon" Even if you have paid the bills, you might want to ask the hospital if they would reduce the bill (and send you a refund); maybe explain that it's taken you some time to get back on your feet, etc., and look at the situation and realize that the choice of an out of network surgeon was not yours--your life was in peril and you shouldn't have to pay what amounts to a fine for that. Also, try going back to your insurance company and asking them to help you on this. Whose responsibility is it to get insurance questions answered when the patient is in the operating room? Seems like the hospital's business office should have done a better job on getting their ducks in a row. What city/state are you in? Do you have an HMO or traditional 80/20 policy? I know this is very tough. I had a similar experience, and although I didn't have a perf--the two ER docs working on me thought I did. Even without the surgery, the 8 hours of tests and stuff in ER cost over $7,000. My insurance company paid the entire thing. The ER docs determined that the colonoscopy doc "was overly aggressive" and bruised and traumatized not only my colon, but most of the other organs in my abdomen. I told her I was in pain during the procedure, but she wouldn't listen to me. She thought I wouldn't remember anything anyway (but versed doesn't work on me). It was a very bad experience all around. I wish you the best and hope you are feeling better now.
64.122.35.133
You may want to consider making a formal complaint to your state chapter of the American Medical Association about the colonoscopy doc. His competency and patient care should be questioned.
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