### Unexpected ER Bill Leaves Mother in Shock After Brief Visit for Toddler

In late December, Maggi Wettstein from Peoria, Illinois experienced a tense evening when her 3-year-old daughter, Ryan Wettstein Nauman, couldn't be consoled after being put to bed. Afraid that her toddler might be suffering from a yeast or urinary tract infection amidst potty training, and with local urgent care centers closed, Wettstein made the decision to take Ryan to the Carle Health emergency room at around 10:30 p.m.

They arrived at the ER at 10:48 p.m., which wasn't busy at the time. Medical records show that upon arrival, Ryan was triaged and given a nasal swab test for Covid-19 and influenza A and B. Despite initially being distraught, Ryan calmed down while waiting, prompting Wettstein to decide to return home as her daughter appeared fine. Unable to inform the check-in desk due to its vacancy, they just left the hospital.

Eight months later, Wettstein was taken aback when she received a bill for $445 for the combined Covid and flu test, even though no doctor had seen Ryan. After insurance adjustments, the family still owed $298.15. Surprised, Wettstein requested medical records and confirmed that Ryan had tested negative for the viruses. Though not a financial burden, Wettstein felt the charge was high, especially when compared to the cost of similar tests available at pharmacies.

Loren Adler from the Brookings Institution explained that such high charges are common as hospitals often inflate prices and insurance companies rarely contest them. Public health emergency measures during the Covid pandemic once required insurance companies to cover the cost of tests without patient copayments or cost sharing. However, those protections ended in May 2023, leaving patients to shoulder the costs.

Despite Wettstein contacting the hospital's billing department for clarification, her bill was confirmed as correct. She believed that leaving the ER early would avoid charges but was instead hit with an unexpected bill.

Emergency rooms are among the costliest care options. Patients facing non-life-threatening issues should consider urgent care facilities, which tend to be more affordable. Wettstein learned a valuable lesson and expressed that she would opt for a pediatrician or urgent care center in the future to avoid creating a habit of visiting the ER.

**Bill of the Month** is a collaborative investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post’s Well+Being, aimed at demystifying and analyzing medical bills. Since its inception in 2018, the series has helped numerous patients reduce their medical expenses and has been highlighted by policymakers.