My wife and I had our baby at an HCA hospital in December. We had to stay longer due to complications, then transferred to a NICU for 11 days, and later to a different NICU for another 11 days.
The total bill sent to Anthem was over $350,000, and our out-of-pocket costs are several thousand dollars.
What’s the best way to bring this number down? Should I ask the hospital for a discount if I pay upfront? Should I hire someone to negotiate on my behalf and split the savings? Is there anything else I should try?
People always say to check your bill because they often have mistakes, but with so many providers involved over three weeks, I have no idea how to even start doing that.
Appreciate any advice. Running on no sleep over here.
If you hit your out-of-pocket max, reducing the bill won’t change what you owe—just what insurance pays. Most hospitals won’t negotiate your share if they have a contract with your insurer. Their agreement probably requires them to collect your full portion.
@Cypress
This. Wait for your final bill, then see what you actually owe. Some hospitals will knock off 10% if you pay in full, so it’s worth asking. If you can’t afford the full amount, ask about charity programs or payment plans. You can also make small monthly payments, and in some cases, the hospital may eventually write off the balance.
@Cypress
I asked for an itemized bill, but they told me it wouldn’t be available until after insurance processed everything. Is it possible they just told me that so I couldn’t dispute anything until it was too late?
@Devi
Hospitals bill insurance first, then send you a statement. You’re not usually involved in that process. But since your total is so high, you’re definitely hitting your out-of-pocket max either way.
This isn’t just a childbirth bill—it’s NICU care, which is expensive. Most people are in and out in 48 hours, but your baby needed extra medical attention. Check with the hospital about financial aid or payment plans. They usually have options for situations like this.
At this point, you’re going to hit your out-of-pocket max no matter what. Instead of focusing on the total bill, focus on your family and recovery. What the insurance company pays won’t change your future premiums.
Your final bill is based on insurance contracts, not the initial amount hospitals charge. Check if your baby qualifies for secondary coverage through Medicaid or CHIP—hospitals usually have case managers who can help with that.
Hospitals don’t always negotiate bills unless you qualify for charity care. If you want to try, request an itemized bill and look for errors—sometimes they charge for things that weren’t done. But it won’t change what you owe if you’ve already maxed out your insurance benefits.
Ask for an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance. It breaks down what was billed, what was covered, and what you owe. Compare it to the itemized bill to catch any errors. If something looks off, you can dispute it with your insurer.
Devi said: @Akira
So I should compare the EOB to the bill and look for anything that seems wrong? What if they charged for something that wasn’t done?
Exactly. Hospitals sometimes add unnecessary charges. If you find something questionable, call your insurer and ask them to review it. They might negotiate with the hospital for a lower amount.
If you have another kid, save up for the out-of-pocket max ahead of time. My NICU bill was over $2 million, and I only had to pay $5,000. Having insurance makes a huge difference.
Hospitals sometimes make mistakes in billing, so it’s worth checking. Also, if you can pay in full, they might offer a discount. If that’s not an option, ask about financial assistance programs.