Bwild: they operate by "codes" in the ER. A visit receives a particular code and the patient is charged accordingly. If the code is incorrect, a patient could be charged at a higher rate than they would otherwise had the code been determined correctly. This happened to me. I was sent to the ER as a precaution but I knew the problems stemmed from the medication I was given. But the symptoms were similar to a stroke. I immediately informed the doc about my meds and he agreed that the meds were the problem. But the admitting person coded it for stroke. I was charged double. I got it fixed but had I not called, I would have had to pay the full bill.

Changes are needed system wide but NOT Obama care. That doesn't fix anything. And for those in favor of the 2000+ page bill it's wise to remember that NO ONE in congress and NOT EVEN OBAMA read the stupid thing. Even today most congressmen haven't read the stupid bill!

Artful Dodger:everything is charged by "code" over here as well.......for instance the "Item No. for my op was 47933" The Dr. charges on that number, as does the hospital for the bed/theatre etc and also the anaesethetist charges fees on that number. None of them miss you :(

Artful Dodger: it doesnt matter. the charges are still exorbitant.
yomama care, just forces everyone to be held up by the price gouging hospitals.
just like the government forcing the auto industry to build vehicles that get better gas mileage,then over-looking what people are paying at the pump.

Bwild: That's why in the UK there is a standard charge for prescriptions. One rate. If it's just aspirin/paracetamol... get them over the counter for pennies. In my experience, most pharmacists will tell you if a medicine can be bought over the counter for cheaper.

"HOSPITALS
they gouge the insurance companies
they gouge the patients
they gouge the government
they gouge the doctors"

And everyone takes their cut. Inflated prices mean inflated profit margins.

Shareholders and share prices rule!!