learn what other users had to say about

the Cost of Emergency Room Visits for Illness

Price 
Location 
Submitted by  
Description
$ 125
Jun 2007
Oakland, CA
vomiting and shaking
HMO Emergency Room Visit  more... close row
$ 29
Feb 2008
Houston, TX
high blood pressure
Never treated for high blood pressure  more... close row

Description of service

At a mental health appointment I was found to have extremely high blood pressure, 188/105. I was sent directly to the nearest ER to have this treated. There was no one at the sign in desk and no one even spoke with me for about 15 minutes. It was another 30 minutes before anyone checked my vital signs and then nearly four hours passed with no care or assessment whatsoever. I was billed despite deciding not to receive services there. It's not a large amount, but it's a fraud to charge for no treatment and in fact for neglect.


Review of Service

I had docummented severe hypertension and a bad headache and was reasonably worried about stroke. Despite confirming how high my blood pressure was, nothing was done for nearly four hours while I suffered. I was even threatened by another patient who took a dislike to my daughter who came to help me. We went to another ER where I was seen in 10 minutes and treated in 20 minutes. I understand the need to wait for non-emergencies but felt like a real one was ignored by the first hospital. While the cost is small, it is outrageous to be charged for NO service at all.


Tips

Take someone with you to an ER to act as both advocate and witness. If you are too miserable to fight for your own rights and health, they can. Also, consider going elsewhere even if somewhat more expensive when the problem is really urgent if you are not being cared for properly and compassionately. And do as I have done and file a care complaint if you have a bad experience.


$ 598
Sep 2007
Everett, WA
Musculoskeletal Chest Pain
Pain in chest with pre-existing heart condition  more... close row
$ 19
Sep 2007
Seattle, WA
rash
Local Health Cooperative Emergency Room Visit  more... close row
$ 3755
Apr 2008
Ashland, Ky
kidney infection
Bad kidney infection  more... close row
$ 440
Jun 2008
Loma Linda, CA
Cat bite on wrist
Infection from cat bite  more... close row
$ 100
Apr 2008
Columbus, Ohio
Stomach Flu
Long wait for stomach flu treatment  more... close row
$ 100
Apr 2008
Ashland, KY
Pain all over, Fainting
Kidney infection sent wife to the emergency room  more... close row
$ 1000
May 2008
Akron OH
Stomach pain
Emergency room visists expensive but necessary  more... close row
$ 1083
Feb 2008
Highlands, NC
Withdrawal from pain medication
Withdrawal from pain medication  more... close row
$ 721
Nov 2007
Blue Ridge, Ga
105 temperature
Emergency room visit for son with 105 fever  more... close row
$ 275
Dec 2007
Pine Bluff, AR
swollen cheek, looked like mumps
Did not get to see a doctor at the emergency room  more... close row