Piedmont Healthcare is Owned and Operated by Satan

Disclaimer: The following are the views and opinions of the individual, "SomaComa", his right to free speech is protected by the first amendment.

Summary:

I went to Piedmont Hospital on Peachtree in Midtown, Atlanta. I was there for a total of 2 hours. I received treatment in the ER for an allergic reaction. I had less than 5 minutes contact with Doctor Culbertson. I was billed $478 by the hospital and later I was billed $245 by Doctor Culbertson. I was never notified about the separate bill from the doctor when I left the hospital, it simply came in the mail and I had to deal with a billing service. I tried to contact Piedmont Hospital to find out how 5 minutes of a doctor's time could be worth $245 but I was constantly harassed on the phone. After getting 3 different phone numbers, all to contracted collection agencies, I was able to get the number of Sharon Owens, Director of Finance for Piedmont Hospital's Emergency Services. After numerous calls and voicemails, I have not been able to get in contact with Mrs. Sharon Owens. Piedmont Healthcare is a sham; they will charge you whatever they want and will not let you dispute any charges or even get an explanation of what you were charged for. If you are ever in the need of medical care in Atlanta, please avoid Piedmont Healthcare. I am not the only one who thinks Piedmont Hospitals Suck. If anyone at Piedmont Hospital ever reads this, and I hope to God they do, especially Doctor Culbertson and Sharon Owens, I want to let you know you successfully extorted an uninsured college student - I hope you sleep well at night.

Details:

It all started with a fire ant bite which resulted in a severe allergic reaction. I drove myself to the hospital at 2:00am. This was my first time EVER going to a hospital for treatment so I had no idea what to expect.

I get to the ER and everyone is staring at the hives all over my face, arms, and legs. It was not a pretty sight. The nurses at the front desk were sitting there lackadaisically and made small jokes about my condition.

Finally, after about 20 minutes one of them had me sit in triage. They took my vitals and asked me what had happened. I told them that I was bitten by spider while sleeping (turns out it was a fire ant). They give me an IV and pump steroids and benadryl into me. Almost immediately I feel very drowsy (due to the benadryl) and the nurse tells me to wait in the waiting room. IV still stuck in my elbow, I was NOT given a room, I had to sit there in the waiting room in one of the most uncomfortable chairs (similar to the small uncomfortable ones at McDonalds).

After about an hour and a half I woke up from a small nap. I asked the nurse if I could leave since I was feeling much better; the hives were gone at this point. She said the doctor needed to see me. I had to ask for a glass of water several times before anyone got me one. When I asked for some sheets, because it was freezing in there, the nurse gave me an attitude. Basically, I was treated like absolute dog shit.

Finally I see the doctor in a separate room (I guess this is where the $245 charge comes from). He asks me a few questions about the insect bite, the same questions I had answered for the nurse. Less than 5 minutes later I leave the hospital. Of course before I leave the billing department gets all my info, address, social, etc. (I should have ran the fuck out after I got fixed up, this will by my strategy next time).

The aftermath: I get charged $478 for the hospital's services. I am an uninsured college student so I have to pay all of it. Yes, I'm uninsured, YES THAT IS MY FAULT, BUT THAT DOESN'T GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHARGE ME WHATEVER THE FUCK THEY WANT - "A GROSS OVERCHARGE".

I try to get them to lower the bill but they don't budge. I don't have anyone to talk to except for the billing staff, which is like talking to an automated system with a GED and basic motor skills. I set up a payment plan and just grin and bear it, at least I'm alive.

It only gets better:

About 2 weeks later, I get another invoice from a separate billing company for $245 for "Culbertson". I think this is some mistake because I've already been charged $478 by the hospital. The hospital tells me that the doctor is charging me separately since it was an ER visit. Here's where it gets really shady: The hospital invoice says that I was in for ER LEVEL II. The doctor's bill says I was in there for ER LEVEL IV.

What gives? I spoke to the doctor for less than 5 minutes! What gives him the right to charge me $245? I want an explanation and try to get in touch with Culbertson. I'm given a supreme runaround by everyone, each telling me to call the other one to dispute the charge. Here is the beauty of the setup, since all the bills are contracted to different collection services I am shit out of luck. I can try to contact the hospital to speak to someone who can explain these charges, but I never will be able to get an explanation of why a doctor charges me $245 for less than 5 minutes of his time. Finally I'm given the number for Mrs. Sharon Owens - who to this day has not answered her phone or ever called me back. Apparently she's the "Director" of finance for Emergency Services at Piedmont Hospital.

The Verdict:

I was grossly overcharged for an allergic reaction treatment. I actually had less than 5 minutes face time with Doctor Culbertson. For a total of less than 2 hours at Piedmont Hospital, majority of which was spent in the waiting room in one of the most uncomfortable chairs, I was charged a total of $723.

I was charged $6.03 a MINUTE at Piedmont Hospital. Don't ever go to Piedmont Hospital or you will get Got as well. Doctor Culbertson and Sharon Owens and all the billing staff that gave me attitude over the phone, I hope you experience a taste of your own medicine in the future. It is against my nature to wish ill will on people but karma is a bitch. In conclusion, Piedmont Hospital is no different than the mafia who charge people for protection. They set the rates, and offer you no fair explanation of them, which is why PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY SATAN! Please take the time to call these assholes and let them know what they do is unjust: 704.873.4277