In August I went through six physical therapy treatments for a back problem. My insurance covers $30 a visit, but I wasn't too concerned about my co-pay because I had done PT in the past elsewhere, and the total was about $60 a session. I could handle the $180 or so out of pocket. I received a call from someone in the Borgess billing department on October 21st telling me my share was "9-44" and offered a 20% discount. I hadn't received the bill as yet, so I assumed they meant $9.44. I said I hadn't gotten a bill, but would pay it when it arrived. I was at work and very busy, and only had a brief amount of time to wonder why they'd offer a 20% discount on $9.44. When I got home that night, the bill had arrived and it was for $1792, and my share was $944!!! (After "insurance discount") I did the math, and this came to $298 a session for physical therapy. The M.D. who ordered the physical therapy only charges $56 for a consultation! The therapy consisted of some exercises with rubber bands (I got to keep the rubber bands --- is the extra charge for that?), and some work on machines at Borgess's health club. I could join the health club for $53 a month. I made some calls around town to other physical therapists, and one said he would take whatever insurance paid, i.e., $30 a session, others were in the $60-75 range as I had originally estimated. Obviously, I should have shopped around.

I wrote Borgess informing them I wanted an itemized bill (I was only given a lump sum, no dates of visits listed, no prices for the rubber bands). No response as yet. It's amazing that a medical center can charge an astronomical sum completely out of line with the prevailing market rates, and then expect patients to foot the bill. I intend to fight this out in court, if necessary. I earn $14 an hour, and I don't intend to work 88 hours (after taxes) to pay what amounts to extortion.