re: Why do hospitals have their people send separate bills?

I was taken to an ER and subsequently admitted for a true emergency (not the flu) last year. While being worked up in the ER, I learned that the hospital I was in (OLOL) was out of network but the General was in network. I couldn't leave OLOL at that point since I was admitted and undergoing treatment.

I asked multiple times to see someone from billing or a case worker as I was worried about the insurance situation. No one ever came to see me. I got out of there as soon as I could.

I ended up receiving a massive bill and zero insurance coverage. Yay. So I call OLOL billing and relate my story with the hope of negotiating a cash payment within reason. The lady on the phone immediately says they will "submit my case for review" and gets off the phone. Since that time, I haven't received a call, a bill, an email or any other contact.

What gives? What is a reasonable time frame to hear from a hospital? It has been months.