How to Read and Understand Your Hospital Bill

Step 1: Always Request an Itemised Bill

You are entitled to a full itemised bill — a line-by-line list of every charge. Do not accept a summary bill. Contact the hospital's Patient Accounts or Billing department and request the itemised statement in writing. In the USA, you can also request your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer, which shows what was billed, what was negotiated, and what you owe.

Common Billing Errors to Look For

• Duplicate charges: The same service billed twice
• Incorrect patient information: Wrong DOB or insurance number can lead to claim denial or wrong patient billing
• Upcoding: A procedure billed at a higher complexity code than actually performed
• Unbundling: Procedures that should be billed together at a lower rate are split into separate higher-cost line items
• Charges for cancelled services: Tests ordered but never performed
• Operating room time: Billed in blocks; check the minutes charged match your procedure notes

How to Dispute a Hospital Bill

1. 1
   Write a formal dispute letter to the hospital's billing department, citing the specific line items you are questioning.
2. 2
   Request the medical records for the admission and compare charges against documented services.
3. 3
   Contact your insurer and ask them to review the claim if you believe billing codes are incorrect.
4. 4
   If unresolved, contact your state's Insurance Commissioner (USA), NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service (UK), or the relevant ombudsman.