For a lappy-appy, a prominent hospital in northern Silicon Valley, billed our insurance company $61,899 and $922 for radiology. I guess I'll be waiting a few months for all the mystery bills to come in. Votes: +0

We just got a bill for my husbands laparoscopic appendectomy and it was $35,000!! Votes: +0

Went into the ER one morning doubled over in pain ..... But by the time I was operated upon - about 6:30 - the pain was zero and I felt as if nothing was wrong. The surgeon convinced me that removing my slightly enlarged appendix was still a good idea. I really had no other choice.
Hospital bill alone - billed my insurer, United Healthcare, for more than 18,240 bucks!!!!!!! And THAT didn't include the surgery!!!! Got the surgeon's bill today - 8 months after-the-fact - apparently NOT covered by insurance - for an additional 1,800 bucks. A simple "no-brainer" lapriscopy, a one-night-stay in a beautiful new facility, 2 meals and ZERO complications whatsoever: 20 GRAND!!!!!! Votes: +0

We are currently in a state of shock over a $24,000 hospital bill received after our son underwent an appendectomy - was hospitalized for barely 36 hours (it was done laparoscopically) and he was never even admitted to a regular room - but was in a holding area, curtained off from the hallway! He had no complications except for an infection at the IV site (taken care of only when we got home at our local emergency room!!) This was at MCV in Richmond, VA - where, we were told by someone in Patient Accounts, '..our rates are set by the General Assembly." Votes: +0

i recently had an emergency appendectomy. it was a laser surgery. my hospital stay was no more than 24 hours. my total hospital bill, not including any dr fees was $14,254.81. Votes: +0

The Flagstaff Medical Center charged my insurance company $11,698.30 for the facility fees associated with my appendectomy. There are no room and board charges included in this bill. I was admitted through the emergency room and the surgeon wanted to admit me as an inpatient, however I made him promise that if my appendix had not ruptured he would allow me to leave the hospital that evening. That is exactly what happened. My insurance company has also received bills of $462.00 for the Radiologist and $352.00 for the ER Physician. I haven't seen the surgeons bill yet. Votes: +0

I had an appendectomy while between insurances--the insurance from my previous job had expired (and COBRA was only good for 60 days) and I didn't qualify for health insurance at my new job for 90 days. Right now the total cost is around $42,000. The hospital charges alone are over $39,000. I haven't tried to negotiate yet as I only got the bill today. I feel kinda like I'm being ripped off. Votes: +0

My son in January 2008 underwent emergency appendectomy. His hospital bill alone was 24,000 for a one-night stay. This did not include the radiologist, anesthesiologist, emergency room physicians, surgeon or hospitalist. I should mention that this is a non-profit hospital in sunny Florida. My son had good care.

His insurance says they are allowing $17,000 for this hospitalization. Out of this my son has to pay $4,800.00 just to the hospital as his part of the bill. Not to mention that he also has a $950.00 deductible. He is stuck with $6,000.00 out of his own pocket. He is only 21 years of age and has health insurance through his employer.

My husband on the other hand underwent emergency appendectomy three years ago in Juneau, Alaska. He had complications which warranted a three night say. Now you may say Alaska is the most expensive state. It is not. For three nights in the hospital - the hospital fee was only a little over $10,000 plus the normal physician fees as one would expect. He had excellent care with one nurse to three patients.

I ask you what is wrong with this picture?

It should be noted that just yesterday it was reported that the CEO of this hospital net-work, non-profit, was paid in excess of $900,000 in 2006. No wonder medical care is out of sight in this country. Votes: +0

I underwent an uncomplicated, laparascopic appendectomy in August 2008 in
Southern California. The claims submitted to our insurance company totaled
approximately $38,000 -- just under $2,000 for the surgeon and almost $36,000 for
the hospital! Unbelievable!!! Benjamin Franklin is rolling in his grave
about the state of affairs concerning medical insurance! Votes: +0