Updated: November 7, 2020
Originally Published: November 27, 2019
Have you ever been curious about the costs associated with extracting a doll shoe from a child’s nostril? One family in Las Vegas learned this lesson in a rather expensive way.
It was supposed to be a simple date night for Ashley and Mark Thompson, who were finally ready to enjoy a much-needed evening out. However, moments before they could leave their house, they noticed their 3-year-old daughter, Emma, appearing distressed and coughing. Upon investigation, they discovered the source of her discomfort: a pair of bright pink doll shoes, one lodged firmly in each nostril.
In a panic, Ashley and Mark attempted to play the role of amateur medics, armed only with tweezers. They managed to extract one shoe but found the other one stubbornly stuck. Realizing they needed professional help, they first took Emma to urgent care, but the medical staff there couldn’t dislodge the shoe either. Ultimately, they ended up at the emergency room where a doctor skillfully removed the remaining shoe using a set of long forceps, joking that it was a welcome change from the usual candy wrappers he typically encounters.
While the situation ended happily for Emma and her parents, the financial aftermath proved to be a shocker. The bill from Dignity Health totaled $1,732, along with a $926.98 fee from the physician, bringing their grand total to a staggering $2,658.98. To put that in perspective, the Thompsons could have taken a family vacation or even purchased a used car with that amount.
Interestingly, Medicare reports indicate that the average cost for removing a foreign object from a child’s nose is less than $50. This discrepancy left the Thompsons questioning the hospital’s exorbitant charges. “It’s not that we can’t pay it if necessary; it just doesn’t make sense that something so simple could cost so much,” Ashley expressed. “Someone needs to take a look and ask, ‘Why are we charging nearly $3,000 to remove a doll shoe from a child’s nose?’”
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In summary, the Thompson family’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected expenses that can arise from parenting mishaps. What began as a typical evening quickly turned into a financial burden, sparking a debate about medical costs in America.