Hospital Sends $29,000 Bill To Parents Of Murdered College Student

[baldguy]

Not only did the UC Davis Medical Center send a $29,186.50 bill to the parents of college student who was beaten to death by his roommate, they also sent a letter letting them know that their son was considered indigent and was no longer welcome at the hospital if he needed further treatment. He doesn't, of course, because he is deceased.

Apparently he also had insurance, and the hospital should have sent the bill to his insurer.

"I can't believe that in any country besides the U.S., any civilized country, that the parents of a murdered boy would receive this bill for $29,000 and such an insulting letter," Gerald Hawkins, the victim's father, told ABC 10 in Sacramento, CA.

The bill in question was for "five minutes in emergency room," says ABC 10, who tried to assess why 5 minutes could cost $29,000.

more:
http://consumerist.com/5398768/hospital-sends-29000-bill-to-parents-of-murdered-college-student

[Selatius]

1. That's my question as well. Exactly how does 5 minutes in ER = $29,000 bill???

Anybody? Anybody?

Or is it that some douchebag in the billing department just briefly went over his file and then pulled a random number out of his ass?

[baldguy]

2. Only thing I can think of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arCITMfxvEc

[Starry Messenger]

3. Holy hell.