Red Bud Regional Hospital — Local services in Red Bud

The wait time is minimal, staff great and attentive. My ONLY issue is their billing. I had an emergency room visit which lasted 4 hours, mostly observation in which I received a no contrast ct scan on my abdomen, an antibiotic IV, blood drawn ( 1 vial), urinalysis. That's it.... the bill is $12,421.29. The CT scan alone was billed at $8,316. THAT IS NOT WHAT IT COSTS THEM in any imaginary world. Actual cost of a CT scan, gotten from an article in Forbes, is only $250. My insurance paid $6000 for my 4 hour visit and the hospital wants another $5,592. Really. Shouldn't this be illegal? How can anyone pay that kind of money for such minimal service and still look after their family? I am told the insurance companies set the rates they are the ones with the massive profits. Why is this tolerated? Tell your lawmakers!

Red Bud Regional Hospital Business Office PO Box 503891 St. Louis, MO 63150 Cc: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Red Bud Chief Executive Officer Shane Watson, Chief Financial Officer Ben Wells Oct. 9, 2015 Dear Business Administrators of Red Bud Regional Hospital, I am writing to you asking for consideration to modify your billing practices so that your rates reflect your actual costs are not such a financial blow to the average household. I understand that these billing practices have been in place for many years and those insurance companies have in large part set the rates, holding us all hostages to their policies. Whatever the case, the reality is inflated charges which bury the average patient with impossible charges. I went to the ER at Red Bud July 5th with abdominal and leg pain, worried it could be a clot, appendicitis or kidney infection. I spent 4 hours which included a CT scan, blood draw, urinalysis and antibiotic IV drip. The bill I received was for $12,421. I’ve researched the hospital’s probable REAL cost and came up with approximately $2000 MAXIMUM. The hospital has been paid $6,828 by my insurance (which is in itself a mortgage payment at $900+/month for our family of 6 to have catastrophic insurance). Now Red Bud Regional Hospital wants me to pay IN FULL $5,567 MORE. Now. Really? Who can do this? Can you? How is this inflated billing even legal? How can any of you, in good conscience, send out bills like this which could mean financial ruin to most people, knowing the bill does not even come close to representing your true cost? At this rate NO ONE will be able to use our excellent emergency room system. I know I’ll have to feel like I’m dying if I ever go again, which will most likely mean I COULD. No wonder people panic when they think about going to the ER. That is unless they are on Medicaid and it’s all paid for by the government (ie us). I have a family, a mortgage, kids in school and financial obligations, like 99% of my fellow citizens. There is no way I can pay $5,567 IN FULL now. How can anyone? How can you even ask me to after you’ve already received $6,828 for $2000 worth of services? How has our honest American Healthcare come to this sordid practice? How many households have gone bankrupt because of these kinds of billing practices? Thank God I’m not chronically ill and Lord have mercy on those who are. No wonder people lose their houses to pay for their chronically ill family members. Please reconsider my bill and the bills of all those others who have been overcharged so egregiously. Thank you, Arryn...

My brother collapsed and was taken by ambulance to Redbud Regional Hospital on a Saturday evening where he remained until the following Friday. I was amazed and impressed with the high quality of care he received during his entire stay. The ER staff were thorough in the initial exam, kept us informed on his status and their findings and very professional. They knew what they were doing and were able to quickly make the correct diagnosis and get the proper treatments started. Everyone on the MedSurg staff were also phenomenal—again highly trained and knowledgeable on what my brother needed to recover quickly. They were kind, helpful—just amazing. The same can be said for the PT department-they worked with my brother to help him regain the ability to walk and do his normal daily routine and were friendly and kind in the process. The housekeeping staff were also wonderful, kind, caring and excellent at their job. . My mom worked in a hospital for over 20 years and said the Redbud hospital was the cleanest she had ever seen-ever-and so nice and quiet. My family was so blessed during this difficult time by the most amazing , wonderful, caring and professional people we have ever been around. Not just one or two but everyone! The people at Redbud Hospital care about their patients. Thank you all! This hospital is an incredible assets to the...

I had a challenging experience with my husband's health that required multiple visits to the ER. Initially, he was treated and sent home, but two days later, his condition worsened, leading to his admission.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible team on the 3rd floor, including the doctors, nurses, CNAs, and respiratory therapists. They worked tirelessly to identify the underlying cause of his illness, showing true dedication and compassion throughout the process. (Big Thanks to Dr. Tucker, Dr. Ha, Nurses Patti, Charity, Alissa, Donna, Daniel, Nicole, and Tracy!)

Once diagnosed, he underwent surgery, and the daily attention to his needs made a significant difference in his recovery. Not only are the medical needs met, but more importantly, the emotional needs are treated, and we are treated like family. I highly recommend this hospital for its exceptional care and support during a...