I received a summons for an emergency room visit. I only needed to get a prescription for thyroid medicine refilled and just moved from out of state. I called the hospital first to ask what the charge would be , they told me $250. The actual bill was over $700. PLus the physician sent me a separate bill for $171. I wasn't even examined, just 10 minutes with the doctor, he wrote me a prescription, that's it. I didn't receive any meds or anything. My question is do I have a leg to stand on denying the debt based on the fact they misinformed me on the cost prior to seeing me? Should I countersue for price gouging? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks:confused:

If all you needed was a refill, why didn't you call a pharmacy? They would have been able to get your prescription from your previous doctor, if it was still valid.

I'm assuming the flat rate to visit the ER is $250, which is what they quoted you when you called. They have different charges for different services. They don't know what you're going to require when you get there, which prevents them from being able to tell you exactly how much your bill will be when it is finished.

Yes, you called the hospital and they told you what their charge was, the ER doctor does not normally work for the hospital and 700 for a er visit is about normal.

This is why everyone knows you don't go to a ER for a prescription ( unless you are on welfare and they do it all the time, since it is not their money but tax money)

So did you try and work out a deal with the hospital part, normally they will accept about 1/2 as payment in full before they sue.

As for the ER doctors, many will not work out deals but some will.

But no, you really don't have a case, and no this sounds about normal for their charges,

For future, you go into a doctors office that allows walk in, or call your old doctor and let them go a refill.