When 56-year-old Bill Johnson had hip-replacement surgery in 1999, his wife, Nora, requested an itemized break-down of the $25,000 bill.

     When she finally deciphered the "hospital-speak" in the bill, what she discovered shocked her: They were charged $129 for a "mucous recovery system," otherwise known as a box of Kleenex, and $90 for a plastic I.V. tube, which costs the hospital about 70 cents!

     In an era of skyrocketing medical costs and oppressive government regulations, inflated hospital bills have become the norm rather than the exception, particularly if your insurance doesn’t cover all of the bill.

     Here are some ways to make sure your hospital stay doesn't send you to the poorhouse:

• Ask your hospital, in advance, to put in writing how much you will be charged for a room and what the room charges cover. If, for instance, tissues aren't included, bring your own.

• Ask if you can bring your regular prescription medicines with you to avoid inflated hospital prices.

• Find out in advance what services and tests are and are not covered by your insurance.

• Never pay your share of the bill before your leave the hospital, even if you're told you "must." Instead, carefully examine the bill after you are home and rested. Always ask for an itemized bill.

• Carefully compare your actual bill to the estimate your received. Call the hospital and ask for an explanation in plain English for anything you don't understand.

• Don't be shy about objecting to or contesting any items you think are incorrect or unreasonable.

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