Susan,
I hope I didn't sound like I thought any of us should pay or be charged in error. Of course, check it out. I agree with you.

I agree with you about the ICD-9 codes being confusing. Unfortunately they are international, not just U.S. codes. They are also mandated by the federal government, so we have little power and little choice. I don't like it either: if I could recover some of the time and effort it costs me to unravel this &+*!T I could spend more on my survival toys.

The issue you relate about the doctor and the deceased patient is despicable, and I'm not implying that you're incorrect in what you reported. But I appreciated your words "some people".....In my experience this is so rare that perhaps THAT is what disgusts me so much about the doctor you report about.