Why am I getting multiple bills from ER visit?

Asked by: Lenore Bruen  |  Last update: December 26, 2025
Score: 5/5 (68 votes)

Expect to get two bills from your ER visit — one for facility charges, and the other for professional or physician charges.

Why did I get two bills from the ER?

You're getting two bills because facility and physicians groups are separate. Whether their both in-network or both out-of-network, you're going to get two bills. This is normal.

Can you ignore ER bills?

Ignoring Medical Bills Creates Problems: Credit Score Damage, Debt Collectors, Lawsuits. Explore Solutions: Payment Plans, Financial Aid, & Potential Personal Injury Claim.

Why is my emergency room bill so high?

Why are ER bills so high? Emergency departments charge what's called a “facility fee.” It's a price you pay just for walking through the doors to seek help. These fees are coded on a scale of 1 to 5, depending on the seriousness of your medical issue.

Why do I keep getting bills from the hospital?

Surprise medical bills often happen when you cannot control who provides your care. Both California and federal laws protect consumers from surprise medical bills, which means debt collectors may not collect these debts.

3News Investigates: a $2,000 hospital bill for a 20-minute ER visit

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How to reduce an er bill?

1. Understand your medical bill.
  1. Request an itemized bill. Like a receipt, an itemized bill breaks down all the charges, including the cost of each procedure, medication, and service. ...
  2. Double-check your medical codes. ...
  3. Compare prices. ...
  4. Offer to pay upfront. ...
  5. Try a payment plan. ...
  6. Negotiate based on comparable rates.

Do hospitals write off unpaid medical bills?

There is no one, clear cut answer to the question of whether hospitals write off unpaid medical bills. Some hospitals do this a lot, some do not do it at all, and there is a wide range of hospitals in between. Many factors go into how and if, a hospital writes off an individual's bill.

Can I sue a hospital for overcharging?

Yes, you can sue a hospital for false billing. First, there are a series of internal challenges and appeals that you can undergo with the hospital. If there is an insurance company involved, they can be included in appeals as well.

Does asking for an itemized bill from a hospital lower your bill?

A hospital's itemized bill is the key to understanding exactly which services went into your hospital's calculations, unlocking your ability to flag and negotiate inflated prices or flat-out errors.

What happens if I don't pay my ER visit bill?

If you do nothing and don't pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores.

Can I ignore medical bills under $500?

But the good news for patients is that debt collectors have lost their leverage with medical debts under $500. While they can contact you repeatedly seeking payment, if you don't mind blocking their calls, they may eventually give up or settle for a reduced payment.

Can you talk down an ER bill?

Healthcare providers' billing offices are used to negotiating. Do not hesitate to ask for a reduced fee if a medical bill is too high for you or your family. Other options include applying for Medicaid if you are eligible or asking for a payment plan if you cannot get a reduced cost.

Why is the hospital charging me twice?

In double billing, the provider sends a bill to both Medicaid and the private insurance company. Sometimes the provider may even send the same bill to the insured patient. In some cases, two providers may ask for payment in the name of the same patient for the same procedure on the same date.

What is considered a level 4 emergency room visit?

Level 2 – Emergency: could be life-threatening. Level 3 – Urgent: not life-threatening. Level 4 – Semi-urgent: not life-threatening. Level 5 – Non-urgent: needs treatment as time permits.

Can you bill two ER visits same day?

Yes, in some cases, you can bill two E&M (Evaluation and Management) codes for the same patient on the same day, but it depends on payer rules and documentation requirements.

How to fight ridiculous hospital bills?

How to Fight Medical Bill Overcharges
  1. Request an itemized bill and dispute inaccuracies: ...
  2. Ask to see the contract: ...
  3. Research the actual price posted by the hospital: ...
  4. Research other prices and use them to negotiate: ...
  5. Address out-of-network services and refuse to pay for inappropriate care: ...
  6. Call your insurance company:

How do you know if a hospital is overcharging you?

Always ask to see an itemized bill to make sure you're being charged correctly. Were you double charged for something? Charged for a service you did not receive? You can also compare the costs on your bill with the hospital's posted prices to ensure you're not being overcharged.

What if my medical bills are more than my settlement?

In such cases, individuals may need to explore various options to address the remaining medical bills including negotiating with healthcare providers, seeking assistance from health insurance, or exploring legal avenues to potentially reopen the case.

Why did I get two different bills from the ER?

Please note that you may receive more than one bill for services received at the hospital. Physician charges, may include bills for Radiologists, Anesthesiologists, Cardiologists, Surgeons and Pathologists, and will be billed separately. Physicians are independent of the hospital and bill for their services separately.

What happens if I go to the ER without insurance?

Despite the financial hurdles, uninsured emergency patients are provided with legal safeguards. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

How can I get an ER bill cheaper?

Reduce the likelihood of paying too much for your medical care by doing the following:
  1. Ask for Itemized Bills. ...
  2. Review Bills for Errors. ...
  3. Ask for Audits of Your Medical Bills. ...
  4. Review Your Insurance Coverage. ...
  5. Establish a Relationship With the Billing Office. ...
  6. Use a Professional Bill Reviewer.

Can a hospital turn you away for unpaid bills?

Even if you owe a hospital for past-due bills, that hospital cannot turn you away from its emergency room. This is your right under a federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).

How much is a hospital bill without insurance?

The average per-day hospital cost in the U.S. is $2,883, with California ($4,181) the most expensive, and Mississippi ($1,305) the least. The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof.

Can you ignore medical bills?

Well, no. Depending on the state, hospitals and providers could still sue, foreclose, or affect the chance of a person getting hired or being able to rent an apartment. “All the other ways to collect continue,” a CFPB official told me.