Why Did My ER Visit Cost $12,000?

A line-by-line breakdown of a real emergency room bill, what each charge means, and which ones you can question.

Sarah walked into the emergency room with severe abdominal pain at 11 PM on a Tuesday. Three hours later, she walked out with a prescription and a bill that would arrive six weeks later: $12,247.

She had insurance. She did everything right. So why was the bill so high?