No CPT codes on itemized bill

[u/bvvr19]

I went to the emergency room in the beginning of March 2025 and was there for 6 hours got one bag of IV and a nurse took my blood and then I spoke to a doctor once, and then I spoke to a student doctor twice, and then I was given to packs of crackers and two packs of apple juice and another plastic cup of ice water.

I was in discharged the same day.

I requested an itemized bill, and I attached what I received. I don't see any CPT codes and when I look up the numbers next to the listed items... I can't find what the codes are for or what a fair market value of those codes would be in my area. As you can see in the picture they charged me twice for three procedures or whatever the list of things are called. I'm not sure the technical term.

I went to an in-network emergency room in a in network hospital and owe a total of $637.32.

the hospital billing department said there is some new law where you have to prove that you paid 10% of your gross income in the previous year to qualify for financial assistance, and I did not pay that much in medical bills last year so I am trying to negotiate down the bills as much as I can since I can't apply for assistance.

Does anyone know why these codes don't come up on Google? Did the hospital not give me a true itemized bill? Do I need to request another one specifically demanding their cpt codes in the itemized bill? Any help would be super appreciated thank you so much

[u/Icy_Pass2220]

I can tell by this that you were charged for venipuncture and labs. Which is exactly what you describe happening above. 

You can request the CPT codes. You won’t understand them. You won’t be able to tell if something’s wrong with those codes because you are not a coder. 

[u/Annoying_cat_22 → u/Icy_Pass2220]

Why are you so strongly against people understanding their medical bills?

[u/External-Prize-7492 → u/Annoying_cat_22]

I’m not in the medical field and I can understand the bill. It’s not brain surgery. Why aren’t you able to understand?

[u/Annoying_cat_22 → u/External-Prize-7492]

Good for you.

I don't understand what is the average price for these services in a given area so I could compare it to the price I was charged to make more informed decisions in the future.

[u/Csherman92 → u/Annoying_cat_22]

But all facilities can charge whatever they want.

[u/Annoying_cat_22 → u/Csherman92]

I don't understand if this is /s. They can charge whatever they want, but usually they have obligations to different insurances that don't change fast (yearly maybe?). So I can check my bills and next year move to a different insurance that has better deals for me.

You know, like I'd do with any other service.

[u/Csherman92 → u/Annoying_cat_22]

Unfortunately they are allowed to charge whatever they want and it can vary from facility to facility. That’s what I’m saying. You can try to price shop for care but it’s not like shopping for a regular product where you can compare prices