Billing error patterns, explained

Eight patterns BillMender's free checker looks for, each built directly from a specific federal rule or CMS coding edit, not a vague “this looks high” guess. These are illustrative examples, not real patients' bills.

Duplicate charge

Charged twice for the same IV start

$260.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

Unbundled procedure

Billed for a lab panel, and its individual tests too

$60.00 estimated recoverable

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Excessive supply markup

One acetaminophen tablet, billed at $18

$16.00 estimated recoverable

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EOB mismatch / balance billing

Billed more than the insurer's own EOB says you owe

$300.00 estimated recoverable

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ER level upcoding

ER "level 4" charge for a sprained ankle

$580.00 estimated recoverable

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Excessive facility fee

The "facility fee" is 70% of the entire bill

$320.00 estimated recoverable

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No Surprises Act violation

In-network hospital, out-of-network anesthesiologist bill

$1,450.00 estimated recoverable

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Charity-care eligibility

Uninsured, billed in full, never told about financial assistance

See the breakdown

See one of these on your own bill? Run the free checker. It scans for all eight patterns automatically and cites the exact rule to use in a dispute.