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

$60.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

Excessive supply markup

One acetaminophen tablet, billed at $18

$16.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

EOB mismatch / balance billing

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

$300.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

ER level upcoding

ER "level 4" charge for a sprained ankle

$580.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

Excessive facility fee

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

$320.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

No Surprises Act violation

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

$1,450.00 estimated recoverable

See the breakdown

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.