ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando woman claims a free-standing emergency room charged her nearly $4,000 for a tetanus shot.
New ERs without hospitals are expanding across Central Florida and are triggering backlash against big medical bills.
“That pit bull was already on me, biting me,” said Monica Alvarado.
As scary as the pit bull attack was, Alvarado only suffered scratches.
Alvarado said treatment was minor and quick.
“For a tetanus shot and a prescription for an antibiotic,” said Alvarado.
Alvarado said she received a bill for nearly $4,000.
“I was shocked, and I thought obviously they made a mistake,” Alvarado said.
Her insurance covered $1,200, but Alvarado still owes $2,500.
“It just didn't make sense, and I called and asked for an itemized bill, which I didn't receive,” she said.
When Michelle Colgate cut her finger, her dad took her to the same Hunters Creek ER. She received five stitches. Her bill was nearly $1,000 a stitch.
Colgate’s father, Gregory Champ, said he was shocked.
“I'm speechless. I don't know how they can justify that. I don't know,” said Champ.
After insurance, he still owed $1,300.
Free-standing ER's offer emergency room care without the hospital attached, and business is booming.
But critics said many patients have to pay facility fees they never expected outside hospital ER's.
“If they would have said it cost $2,000 just to step inside, I would have left,” said Alvarado.
Bills can be much higher than what you would pay at urgent care clinics.
Osceola Regional Medical Center owns Hunters Creek ER and did not respond to Action 9's questions.
“I just don't want anyone to go through this,” said Alvarado.
Some health care professionals said patients not needing true emergency care pay more than they need to at the new ERs.
Facility fees cover staff and equipment needed for major emergencies.
Cox Media Group
