I went to urgent care, they sent me immediately to the ER, and they billed me just now ~4 months later

I cut my hand pretty bad a few months back (almost 4 months ago at this point) and when I did, I went to the urgent care thinking they could stitch it. I called them on the way over to let them know I was coming here the call center person proceeded to ask me a series of questions. I eventually just told him my hand was profusely bleeding and I was walking over. I arrive, and they tell me they can’t see me since they’re booked up, I then tell them I made an appointment, so they let me back.

As I stand there holding my hand, she asks me for information, repeating everything since she didn’t get it the first time. (I appreciate the attention to detail, but in the moment, I was frustrated since the cut was pretty severe and I wanted to get seen.) I get back to the room, a nurse with air pods in greets me, looks at my hand, makes an audible gasp, and leaves the room. She comes back, and opens a package for stitches without saying anything. She goes in the hallway and I overhear her conferring with the doctor, who clearly thought opening the toolkit was premature since he hadn’t seen it yet.

The doctor comes in, tells me there may be tendon damage and I need to go to the ER. He sends me on my way.

Fast forward to this week, I get a bill for $466. My insurance paid most of it and I have a reasonable co-pay. I know the “service” I received was triage, but does anyone else find this absurd? FWIW I never have them a card or my SSN.

Any feedback is welcome, but if I should just pay it, then I will.

submitted by /u/FeatureEquivalent359
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