Short answer: each line on an itemized bill is one charge. It usually shows the date, a billing code, a quantity and a price.Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, section 1
Reading one line
| Part of the line | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Date | Does it match the days you were there? |
| Billing code | A short code for the service or item. If the description next to it is unclear, write the code down and ask the billing office what it stands for. |
| Quantity | How many times the charge was applied. A quantity you don't expect is a possible issue to ask about. |
| Price | The charge for that line. |
Steps
- If you don't have an itemized bill yet, ask for one first (see "How do I ask for an itemized hospital bill?").
- Go line by line and mark anything you don't recognize, such as a date, a repeated line or an unclear description.
- Call the hospital's billing office or a financial counselor and ask about each marked line.Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, "Where to get help"
- If you have insurance, compare the bill with your insurer's statement. The number on your insurance card reaches your insurer.Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, "Where to get help"
Next step
A scan reads the lines for you and flags possible issues to ask about.
General information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change and vary by state.