Tampa Bay Times investigation reveals high cost of 'trauma'

People who get into an accident and are treated at a trauma hospital would probably expect a big bill. What they may not realize is that the meter is running before they see the first doctor.

These patients are charged as much as $33,000 just for coming through the door, according to a yearlong investigation by the Tampa Bay Times.

In a two-part series, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Times examines trauma care with case studies of patients and their experiences. The "Insult to Injury" series, which also looks at which hospitals charge the highest rates, is available online at www.tampabay.com/trauma.

"In the name of better trauma care, Florida hospitals are charging patients staggering sums even if it turns out their injuries didn't warrant complicated treatment," said Tampa Bay Times Editor Neil Brown. "The only way we know this is the tenacious work of Times reporters who combed through millions of patient records to let the public know what's going on. These trauma costs are unchecked by politicians and regulators, though they affect health care expenses for all of us. This journalism is aimed at stoking the conversation and asking: are these soaring costs acceptable?"

During its investigation, the Times discovered that by invoking the term "trauma," hospitals are charging a special fee without warning – even to patients with minor injuries. The Times analyzed state-collected records for millions of hospital patients and interviewed dozens of people treated by Florida trauma centers.