A Woman Gets Charged $700 For Coming To An ER And Sitting There For 7 Hours But Not Getting Any Treatment, Others Share Similar Stories
Even after numerous articles and news reports on the American healthcare system showing the insanely high amounts of money people have to pay for their health checkups, hospital stays or surgeries and other medical services, the world is still not used to it and is astounded at how Americans have to deal with all this.
After hearing all those heartbreaking stories Americans share about how they can’t afford simple things like insulin which in other countries are fully compensated and have to just suffer, we still kind of see what the patients are paying for.
But a recent story that went viral showed a new bottom the American healthcare system has reached. A woman from Georgia was charged almost $700 and she still can’t understand what the cost includes as she went to the ER, but after waiting 7 hours, she left as she realized she wouldn’t be getting any help.
More info: Twitter
A woman from Georgia was charged almost $700 for solely entering the ER despite the fact she waited there for 7 hours and wasn’t even seen by a doctor
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The woman’s name is Taylor Davis and she lives in Georgia, where she went to the Emory Decatur Hospital ER in July to have her head injury checked. She was sitting there waiting to be taken in for 7 hours, but then she realized that she wouldn’t get her turn, so she left.
After a couple of weeks, she got a bill in her mailbox and it was from the hospital. It said that the patient was actually late to pay her bill of $688.35, but Taylor hadn’t expected to be charged as she wasn’t called in or seen by anyone; she didn’t even get her vitals taken.
Image credits: FOX 5 Atlanta
While talking to Fox5, the woman didn’t hide her frustration stressing that she sought immediate help, but didn’t receive it, and on top of that, she was charged. “I sat there for seven hours. There’s no way I should be sitting in an emergency room… an emergency room for seven hours.”
After getting the bill, the first thought the woman had was that it was probably a mistake, because how is it possible to be paying so much money for nothing? Taylor called the hospital and they informed her that “it’s hospital protocol even if you’re just walking in and you’re not seen. When you type in your social, that’s it. You’re going to get charged regardless.”
The bill came unexpectedly after a couple of weeks and it was already past due
Image credits: FOX 5 Atlanta
The hospital explained that patients are charged before they get seen as they charge an emergency room facility fee
Image credits: FOX 5 Atlanta
The almost $700 bill was explained to be an emergency room visit fee or a facility fee. It’s the source for hospitals to help to keep their doors open, to pay their electricity bills and cover the cost of running an emergency room 24/7. The fee can range anywhere from $533 to over $3,000 depending on the hospital. It’s nothing new, just that people usually don’t notice it when they pay the whole bill as they usually get treated and expect to be charged.
As the hospital put it in an email sent to Taylor, “You get charged before you are seen. Not for being seen,” subtly putting the blame on the patient that she left before she got the help she needed.
This incident made Taylor think carefully before deciding to go to a hospital as not everyone has spare money to pay for technically nothing
Image credits: kenklippenstein
Sadly, Taylor said that will make her think twice before going to an ER, “I’m very reluctant to go to the hospital now. That’s kind of like the last resort now. Seeing that they’re able to bill you for random things, it doesn’t make me want to go. So that’s not good.”
It’s actually a sad reality for a lot of people. According to United Healthcare, on average, Americans without insurance have to cough up $2,200 per visit, which can be a scary amount for some. Then they will consider not going and choose to suffer instead, which is terrifying to think.
Image credits: Google Maps
After the story blew up, Emory Healthcare sent a statement regarding the situation with Taylor: “Emory Healthcare takes all patient concerns seriously and appreciates this has been brought to our attention. Our teams are currently looking into this matter and will follow up directly with the individual.”
Do you think hospitals are justified to charge their patients such high bills even if they were not seen by a doctor? Do you know any similar stories or want to share your own experience? Let us know your thoughts and reactions in the comments!
People who heard about the story were telling their own experiences with the ER
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People shared some crazy amounts they had to pay for the most minimal things and it just doesn’t sound right
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Bored Panda has drawn attention to the American healthcare system’s flaws in other articles too. In this one, we collected a list of the most shocking things related to healthcare Americans have to deal with. There is also a more recent list you can find here. We also shared a discussion that was started on TikTok where people from around the world were finding out how much giving birth in a hospital costs in different countries.
You may also like to read this article in which an American comes to a realization of how messed up his country’s healthcare system is after having to go to the ER in Taiwan after food poisoning and seeing his fear about the hospital bill disappear as he has to pay only $80.
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Share on FacebookThis entire article is soooo weird to read from any country other than the USA. Last year my mom had a serious medical emergency and she was in the hospital for 3 months and nearly lost her leg. Had to meet with numerous plastic surgeons to rebuild the leg. Multiple teams of doctors. A nurse still comes every single day to her house. To this day we have paid $0. If I lived in the states my mom would have died. There is a serious issue here.
Yes. We're basically steamrolled by corporate interests in most areas of our lives. And many people are in denial about it.
Load More Replies...I know from taking business law you cannot be charged without receiving some sort of service. It doesn't matter what the hospital's "policies" are. You have received no service or consideration, therefore, owe nothing. It would be laughed out of any but the most corrupt court. Unfortunately, the U.S. has plenty of those, too.
True. But many people may not know that, or they simply don't have the time to fight it. If someone is working during the week, it would be difficult to take the day off to make the necessary calls to get the bill reversed. Calling about those matters has to be done during "business hours" and can take hours of hassle and back and forth to deal with. Many are too tired, stressed, or unaware to deal with it.
Load More Replies...US healthcare system is the biggest scam ever and people are ok with it.
They're not, but the ones who want a different system are at a bit over 60%. It might take a crushing majority to change it.
Load More Replies...The question about whether it's worth it or not to live in the U.S. bothers me. I can't even afford a plane ticket to visit another state, much less another country; not to mention that you would have to be able to find a job in another country, be granted a work visa, have the savings to move, etc. And from my understanding, a lot of the places with really great healthcare are very strict about who qualifies and who can get a visa to work/live there. People who recognize there's a problem with the American healthcare system are usually the ones suffering under it through extreme medical bills, and are the ones who can least afford to move somewhere else.
And, just to add my own experience, I had HG when I was pregnant and was severely dehydrated several times. Each time I had to go to the ER to get IV fluids, I was charged $500 - $600 (that's with insurance). When I tried to talk to the doctor about getting IV fluids through the office, I was told I had to go to the ER and they couldn't do it. I also went to the ER for a suspected UTI, and they told me I was fine and sent me home. Later, I had a crippling kidney infection and went septic; I specifically asked the doctor at the second hospital where I was diagnosed if it was possible to go from "nothing on a UTI test" to where I was in less than 6 hours and he said no. The first hospital still charged me $600 to tell me nothing was wrong and nearly kill me and my daughter.
Load More Replies...As for the do Americans want to live in America: I'm so glad I left. It is a dumpster fird
DITTO. I moved to Ontario 14 years ago and about once a month I am like "THANK GOODNESS I left the states" I lived in Florida for 30 years (born and raised there) and I was always told how HORRID Canada health care is because its socialized. What a crock of s**t, granted I live in a high population area so we have a lot of doctors and hospitals vs other parts of Canada but no issues for specialized care which I have had a few times since living here. I never have to second guess about seeing a doctor which is so amazing since for 5 years I didn't have insurance in Florida and it was so brutal.
Load More Replies...As a European, I truly can't understand how it's possible that (some) Americans still argue that that's the best healthcare system and that to have access to it you "only" have to pay an insurance... How on earth do you justify having to pay 700$ for literally NOTHING!!!
Health care in the states is so different from hospital to hospital and doctors office to doctors office it’s actually a gamble to go to any of them. All health care in the us is privatized on some level - but the worst part is that the government is the one stepping between the patient and the doctor. They are the mediator saying who can do what and when and what it’s going to cost.
Load More Replies...I had three ENT appointments and never once saw a doctor. The prn seemed competent but I got billed for seeing a Physician. For that kind of money you'd think the Doctor could at least wave at me from the lounge or whatever the hell she was st.
Seen from France, this is crazy ! And i think we pay less to our Social Security system + Health insurance companies than americans do... for a 100% coverage of the costs. Your health system is only made to enrich doctors, hospitals, companies, and not to keep all americans safe.
A little under half the U.S. population thinks we have the best healthcare in the world and the majority of them don't even have health insurance. Nothing is going to change in the near future here. Health care is like at the bottom of our collective concerns. We get the govt' we deserve.
Anybody who thinks the US has the world's best healthcare is either naive or very rich and thus able to afford the best.
Load More Replies...So, what happen to that lady that no doctor seen her during that 7 hour in ER? The ER doesn't have a standby doctor for 7 hours?? That is an epic fail..
To answer the question about living in the US... This is literally why I left. I had insurance through my work but didn't want to live in a country anymore where things like this happen. There were other reasons as well, but the fact that I could lose my job, have a medical emergency, and spend the rest of my life in debt is too horrific to consider. I've lived in multiple countries since and to be honest, European medical systems aren't perfect either - but at least I can get the care I need without relying on employment or going into debt.
I went to the ER and we talked to by a doctor and out the door in less than 20 min. Basically,I over reacted about something and was told it was nothing to worry about. Literally received no treatment of any kind. Spoke to a doctor for less than 5 minutes. They billed my insurance $2850! And they actually paid $1200!
I had a swelling in my leg. I went to the ER, waited for 5 hours, and finally, an ultra sound tech waved the wand over my leg and said, 'it'll go down, get some support stockings. The bill was $1500 for less than 5 minutes of attention. The stockings were $60.
God bless our NHS! Everything is free at the point of delivery, paid for by a VERY SMALL progressive tax (called National Insurance). Only prescriptions are charged for, and some optical & dental care, & then only the wealthiest pay. But £10 (us$13) for a WHOLE MONTH'S WORTH of Insulin, America? Doncha just hate that Socialist democracy system...xxx
I don't know if it happened here, but many times, they perform many tests before you see a doctor. Other doctors were assessing the problem, even if you never met with them. The tests cost money, the specialist reviewing the tests (radiologist, cardiologist, etc,) spends time reviewing them and making assessments or ruling out problems. I did several tests over a six hour period (xray, several blood tests, ekg, COVID test, etc,) before the doctor met with me and told me I was having a bad asthma attack. I was given a breathing treatment. But at least they ruled out many other things that could've caused the symptoms (was having chest pain.) Like I said, this woman may not have had any tests done but many times the tests add to the cost.
I am from Canada and we have free healthcare. However, there are multiple problems with it and not everything is covered. Biggest problem: Not enough doctors (my province has a wait list to get a GP - can't really switch if you don't like the one you do get), long wait times in ER (almost always), VERY long wait to see specialist. Items not covered: Eye care, dental care, ambulance, prescriptions. My question is to other countries with health care - do you face similar issues as us or do your countries actually have these things figured out? Are there other problems with the healthcare system? At the end of the day, even with our issues, I would still prefer what we have than what the US has to deal with. That boggles my mind.
All of those are generally true in the US as well, unless you happen to live in a place with an overabundance of doctors. We just also have to pay ~$1K/mo* for the ability to just pay for the first $3K/yr of care. * if your employer pays, that's just a cost for them that could have been your salary but isn't.
Load More Replies..."Sorry about unfortunately." What the heck is that supposed to mean? When I saw that in the hospital's reply I thought, did a 5-yr old write that?
I hit my head, laid on the floor for ~36 hours, unconscious, until my sister found me. Hospitalized for 5 weeks, don't remember most of the first 3. Was finally released to come home. I can't work, have no insurance...got a bill for $65K. My credit was already crap from bad decisions, so I just told the hospital billing dept. the truth. They set me up with Medicaid, and I never heard another word from them.
The US health "care" system is precisely the reason - and in fact the ONLY reason - I can never live there, despite the strong desire to for it's many, many other redeeming qualities (including the vast majority of its people). I have a fainting disorder, and the idea that an ambulance would be called EACH and EVERY time I had a fainting spell?!? Holy moly I'd be in SO much debt SO quickly I might as well just go directly from the airport on my first day in the country straight to some random alleyway and set up my homeless shelter just to get a head start on things - since that's where I'd end up any way.
I wish people would stop asking why we live here anyways. If we had the disposable income to up and move across the globe, would we be sitting here crying into our medical bills?? I have so much debt that I just stopped paying it. Apparently that's an option. Maybe. We'll see. In Kansas they throw you in jail if you can't pay. In Oklahoma they just send you semi threatening letters and calls from collectors. I tell them to eat my ass. It took me 2 years to pay off a bill from a test that was never done because they OD'd me on the knockout drug. I'm not paying a dime on the bill for about $15,000 just for the ER to send me to another hospital so they could yell into the waiting room that I shouldn't even be there because it was "just a miscarriage". Oh, well thanks for letting me know after 6 1/2 hours and 2 hospitals later. The system isn't what's broken. We are.
I received a letter charging me 100 euro ambulance fee (Ireland) and I wasn't even treated in hospital, so I went home. It seems they don't always charge you either. I was so pissed off when the letter came a few weeks later. I ignored it. I got another "final warning" 2 weeks after that. I've since moved so they can piss off. And are they really gonna take me to court for 100 euro? Maybe if they can find me.
This entire article is soooo weird to read from any country other than the USA. Last year my mom had a serious medical emergency and she was in the hospital for 3 months and nearly lost her leg. Had to meet with numerous plastic surgeons to rebuild the leg. Multiple teams of doctors. A nurse still comes every single day to her house. To this day we have paid $0. If I lived in the states my mom would have died. There is a serious issue here.
Yes. We're basically steamrolled by corporate interests in most areas of our lives. And many people are in denial about it.
Load More Replies...I know from taking business law you cannot be charged without receiving some sort of service. It doesn't matter what the hospital's "policies" are. You have received no service or consideration, therefore, owe nothing. It would be laughed out of any but the most corrupt court. Unfortunately, the U.S. has plenty of those, too.
True. But many people may not know that, or they simply don't have the time to fight it. If someone is working during the week, it would be difficult to take the day off to make the necessary calls to get the bill reversed. Calling about those matters has to be done during "business hours" and can take hours of hassle and back and forth to deal with. Many are too tired, stressed, or unaware to deal with it.
Load More Replies...US healthcare system is the biggest scam ever and people are ok with it.
They're not, but the ones who want a different system are at a bit over 60%. It might take a crushing majority to change it.
Load More Replies...The question about whether it's worth it or not to live in the U.S. bothers me. I can't even afford a plane ticket to visit another state, much less another country; not to mention that you would have to be able to find a job in another country, be granted a work visa, have the savings to move, etc. And from my understanding, a lot of the places with really great healthcare are very strict about who qualifies and who can get a visa to work/live there. People who recognize there's a problem with the American healthcare system are usually the ones suffering under it through extreme medical bills, and are the ones who can least afford to move somewhere else.
And, just to add my own experience, I had HG when I was pregnant and was severely dehydrated several times. Each time I had to go to the ER to get IV fluids, I was charged $500 - $600 (that's with insurance). When I tried to talk to the doctor about getting IV fluids through the office, I was told I had to go to the ER and they couldn't do it. I also went to the ER for a suspected UTI, and they told me I was fine and sent me home. Later, I had a crippling kidney infection and went septic; I specifically asked the doctor at the second hospital where I was diagnosed if it was possible to go from "nothing on a UTI test" to where I was in less than 6 hours and he said no. The first hospital still charged me $600 to tell me nothing was wrong and nearly kill me and my daughter.
Load More Replies...As for the do Americans want to live in America: I'm so glad I left. It is a dumpster fird
DITTO. I moved to Ontario 14 years ago and about once a month I am like "THANK GOODNESS I left the states" I lived in Florida for 30 years (born and raised there) and I was always told how HORRID Canada health care is because its socialized. What a crock of s**t, granted I live in a high population area so we have a lot of doctors and hospitals vs other parts of Canada but no issues for specialized care which I have had a few times since living here. I never have to second guess about seeing a doctor which is so amazing since for 5 years I didn't have insurance in Florida and it was so brutal.
Load More Replies...As a European, I truly can't understand how it's possible that (some) Americans still argue that that's the best healthcare system and that to have access to it you "only" have to pay an insurance... How on earth do you justify having to pay 700$ for literally NOTHING!!!
Health care in the states is so different from hospital to hospital and doctors office to doctors office it’s actually a gamble to go to any of them. All health care in the us is privatized on some level - but the worst part is that the government is the one stepping between the patient and the doctor. They are the mediator saying who can do what and when and what it’s going to cost.
Load More Replies...I had three ENT appointments and never once saw a doctor. The prn seemed competent but I got billed for seeing a Physician. For that kind of money you'd think the Doctor could at least wave at me from the lounge or whatever the hell she was st.
Seen from France, this is crazy ! And i think we pay less to our Social Security system + Health insurance companies than americans do... for a 100% coverage of the costs. Your health system is only made to enrich doctors, hospitals, companies, and not to keep all americans safe.
A little under half the U.S. population thinks we have the best healthcare in the world and the majority of them don't even have health insurance. Nothing is going to change in the near future here. Health care is like at the bottom of our collective concerns. We get the govt' we deserve.
Anybody who thinks the US has the world's best healthcare is either naive or very rich and thus able to afford the best.
Load More Replies...So, what happen to that lady that no doctor seen her during that 7 hour in ER? The ER doesn't have a standby doctor for 7 hours?? That is an epic fail..
To answer the question about living in the US... This is literally why I left. I had insurance through my work but didn't want to live in a country anymore where things like this happen. There were other reasons as well, but the fact that I could lose my job, have a medical emergency, and spend the rest of my life in debt is too horrific to consider. I've lived in multiple countries since and to be honest, European medical systems aren't perfect either - but at least I can get the care I need without relying on employment or going into debt.
I went to the ER and we talked to by a doctor and out the door in less than 20 min. Basically,I over reacted about something and was told it was nothing to worry about. Literally received no treatment of any kind. Spoke to a doctor for less than 5 minutes. They billed my insurance $2850! And they actually paid $1200!
I had a swelling in my leg. I went to the ER, waited for 5 hours, and finally, an ultra sound tech waved the wand over my leg and said, 'it'll go down, get some support stockings. The bill was $1500 for less than 5 minutes of attention. The stockings were $60.
God bless our NHS! Everything is free at the point of delivery, paid for by a VERY SMALL progressive tax (called National Insurance). Only prescriptions are charged for, and some optical & dental care, & then only the wealthiest pay. But £10 (us$13) for a WHOLE MONTH'S WORTH of Insulin, America? Doncha just hate that Socialist democracy system...xxx
I don't know if it happened here, but many times, they perform many tests before you see a doctor. Other doctors were assessing the problem, even if you never met with them. The tests cost money, the specialist reviewing the tests (radiologist, cardiologist, etc,) spends time reviewing them and making assessments or ruling out problems. I did several tests over a six hour period (xray, several blood tests, ekg, COVID test, etc,) before the doctor met with me and told me I was having a bad asthma attack. I was given a breathing treatment. But at least they ruled out many other things that could've caused the symptoms (was having chest pain.) Like I said, this woman may not have had any tests done but many times the tests add to the cost.
I am from Canada and we have free healthcare. However, there are multiple problems with it and not everything is covered. Biggest problem: Not enough doctors (my province has a wait list to get a GP - can't really switch if you don't like the one you do get), long wait times in ER (almost always), VERY long wait to see specialist. Items not covered: Eye care, dental care, ambulance, prescriptions. My question is to other countries with health care - do you face similar issues as us or do your countries actually have these things figured out? Are there other problems with the healthcare system? At the end of the day, even with our issues, I would still prefer what we have than what the US has to deal with. That boggles my mind.
All of those are generally true in the US as well, unless you happen to live in a place with an overabundance of doctors. We just also have to pay ~$1K/mo* for the ability to just pay for the first $3K/yr of care. * if your employer pays, that's just a cost for them that could have been your salary but isn't.
Load More Replies..."Sorry about unfortunately." What the heck is that supposed to mean? When I saw that in the hospital's reply I thought, did a 5-yr old write that?
I hit my head, laid on the floor for ~36 hours, unconscious, until my sister found me. Hospitalized for 5 weeks, don't remember most of the first 3. Was finally released to come home. I can't work, have no insurance...got a bill for $65K. My credit was already crap from bad decisions, so I just told the hospital billing dept. the truth. They set me up with Medicaid, and I never heard another word from them.
The US health "care" system is precisely the reason - and in fact the ONLY reason - I can never live there, despite the strong desire to for it's many, many other redeeming qualities (including the vast majority of its people). I have a fainting disorder, and the idea that an ambulance would be called EACH and EVERY time I had a fainting spell?!? Holy moly I'd be in SO much debt SO quickly I might as well just go directly from the airport on my first day in the country straight to some random alleyway and set up my homeless shelter just to get a head start on things - since that's where I'd end up any way.
I wish people would stop asking why we live here anyways. If we had the disposable income to up and move across the globe, would we be sitting here crying into our medical bills?? I have so much debt that I just stopped paying it. Apparently that's an option. Maybe. We'll see. In Kansas they throw you in jail if you can't pay. In Oklahoma they just send you semi threatening letters and calls from collectors. I tell them to eat my ass. It took me 2 years to pay off a bill from a test that was never done because they OD'd me on the knockout drug. I'm not paying a dime on the bill for about $15,000 just for the ER to send me to another hospital so they could yell into the waiting room that I shouldn't even be there because it was "just a miscarriage". Oh, well thanks for letting me know after 6 1/2 hours and 2 hospitals later. The system isn't what's broken. We are.
I received a letter charging me 100 euro ambulance fee (Ireland) and I wasn't even treated in hospital, so I went home. It seems they don't always charge you either. I was so pissed off when the letter came a few weeks later. I ignored it. I got another "final warning" 2 weeks after that. I've since moved so they can piss off. And are they really gonna take me to court for 100 euro? Maybe if they can find me.
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