La Facture, SVP

Oi! A crazy mix-up with the bill from the hospital. After one day of labor, we settled in for a four-day stay in a private recovery room. When the bill rolled around, we were charged for five days. So the email goes out -

Whither five? OHIP covers delivery, and that's what we were doing the first day.
Response: we put you in a special room.

But we didn't ask for anything special, and the delivery rooms are all private, so what gives?
Response: you told us on the first day you wanted a private room.

But that's when you asked us what kind of room we wanted, and we already know that all delivery rooms are private, etc etc etc.

Our family doctor thought this sounded weird, and suggested we talk to the hospital's patient representative, essentially a consumer advocate. They have sorted out the whole thing and identified the error in the paperwork, so we are back down to the four-day bill, although the billing office hasn't actually modified the invoice yet. We have paid our four days' bill and hope that will settle that.

The billing error aside, we just want everybody to know that our experience at Toronto East General Hospital was superb. The staff was very supportive, the rooms spacious and comfortable, and the food, well, was easily supplemented by a number of good restaurants nearby. The upgrade to a private room was well worth the extra dosh, and we truly appreciate all the caring and support we received through the labor, delivery and recovery.