'Intentional acts': Rs 1 lakh bill drops to Rs 57,000 after patient flags errors, finds fake surgery charge

The patient found a Rs 31,430 anaesthesia charge and a duplicate supply kit fee. (Image credit: Getty Images)

• Patient saved Rs 44,000 by disputing errors in hospital bill
• Bill shows charges for unreceived surgery and supplies
• Social media users claim hospital billing errors are common

Did our AI summary help?

A viral social media post revealed how a patient cut their hospital bill by Rs 44,000 by spotting errors in an itemised statement. Charges for a surgery and anaesthesia consultation were removed, bringing the total down from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 57,000.

"Had an outpatient procedure done at a regional hospital back in January, got a bill for like Rs 1 lakh ($1,100) after insurance. I was just gonna set up a payment plan and deal with it but someone at work told me to always request an itemised bill first, so I did," the user wrote.

While going through the six-page document, the patient spotted a Rs 31,430 anaesthesia consultation fee that never happened and a repeated charge for a supply kit.

"Called the billing department and honestly expected a fight but the lady was actually pretty calm about it, said she'd flag it for review. took about 2 weeks and they removed both charges, bill went from $1,100 to $618."

The patient said they paid the bill as they had enough money, but urged others to always ask for an itemised bill to avoid such errors.

"Apparently, billing errors are insanely common, and hospitals count on people just not looking. Call and ask for an itemised bill, not just the summary, the full itemised one. Takes 5 minutes, and you might find something."

asked for an itemized hospital bill on a whim and found out they charged me for stuff that literally never happened by u/LongjumpingOffice432 in povertyfinance

As the post went viral, users claimed hospitals often use such practices and avoid accountability due to weak oversight.

One user wrote, “It is not an error if it is always in their favour. That is intentional.”

Another user said, “Almost 80% of hospital bills have at least one error, overcharging you. ALWAYS ask for an itemised bill.”

A third user added, “These aren't billing errors. These are intentional acts spread across a large population with zero oversight and regulation within the government any longer.”