Most seniors believe that if a medical service is “approved” by Medicare, the cost is a predictable, fixed amount known in advance. In reality, the final price tag for many procedures is determined by billing codes and site classifications that are only applied after you have left the doctor’s office. In 2026, the gap between the “estimated cost” and the “final responsibility” has widened due to inflation-adjusted coinsurance rates and specific billing modifiers that trigger surcharges. These hidden costs often arrive weeks later in the form of a confusing Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that looks like a mistake but is actually standard policy. Understanding these retroactive details is the only way to audit your medical bills for accuracy before writing a check.
1. The “Excess Charge” Surcharge (15%)
If you see a doctor who does not “accept assignment,” they are legally allowed to charge you up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. While some states like New York and Pennsylvania prohibit this, in most of the country, this Part B Excess Charge is passed directly to the patient. You might assume your 20% coinsurance on a $1,000 procedure is $200, only to receive a bill for $350 because the doctor added the extra 15% surcharge on top. This fee does not count toward your deductible and is rarely mentioned by the front desk staff when you check in. Unless you have a Medigap Plan F or G that covers this specific cost, you are personally liable for this “balance billing” amount.
2. The SNF “Day 21” Cliff ($217)
Recovering in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is fully covered for the first 20 days, leading many families to believe the entire stay is free. However, on the morning of Day 21, a daily coinsurance rate kicks in that has risen to $217 per day in 2026. This means a standard six-week recovery stay will generate a surprise bill of over $4,500 for the final 22 days of care. This cost appears retroactively on the bill sent after discharge, shocking patients who thought their “Medicare coverage” was comprehensive. If you do not have a supplemental policy to pick up this daily tab, extended rehab can drain your savings faster than the hospital stay itself.
3. The Anesthesia “Time Unit” Bill
When you have surgery, you expect a bill from the surgeon and the facility, but the anesthesia bill is often the most confusing and variable. Medicare pays for anesthesia based on “base units” plus “time units,” meaning every 15 minutes you remain under sedation adds a specific dollar amount to your costs. If your surgery runs an hour longer than expected due to a minor complication, your anesthesia bill automatically increases, even though the procedure code remains the same. Furthermore, the anesthesiologist is often a separate contractor who may bill you separately from the hospital, creating a third financial touchpoint for a single event.
4. The Therapy “KX” Threshold ($2,480)
Physical therapy is essential for recovery, but in 2026, there is a “soft cap” on how much Medicare pays before requiring extra paperwork. Once your combined physical and speech therapy costs exceed $2,480, your therapist must append a “KX modifier” to claims to prove medical necessity. If they fail to add this code or if Medicare decides your continued therapy isn’t “medically necessary,” the claim is denied retroactively. You could be attending sessions for weeks thinking you are covered, only to receive a denial letter stating you owe the full private rate for every visit over the cap.
5. The “Observation” Hourly Rate
You can spend three days in a hospital bed, receive meals, and see doctors, yet still be classified as an “outpatient” under Observation Status. In 2026, hospitals are required to give you a MOON Notice (Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice) if you are held for more than 24 hours, but the financial sting comes later. Because you were never technically “admitted,” you are responsible for Part B copays on every individual blood test and MRI, rather than a single Part A deductible. Worse, this status makes you ineligible for the SNF coverage mentioned above, meaning Medicare pays $0 for your subsequent nursing home stay.
Read the EOB Codes Carefully
Do not simply pay the “Patient Responsibility” line on a medical bill without comparing it to your Medicare Summary Notice. These retroactive costs—like the $217 daily rehab rate or the 15% excess charge—are often coded automatically and can be contested if the provider failed to give proper notice.
Did you get a separate bill for anesthesia after your last surgery? Leave a comment below—share how much it was!
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