You Have To Fight Sometimes. Hospitals
(preface..we had no insurance because of a recent lay off at the time)
In April while I was at a city council meeting my wife called me and said her face and extremity's were swelling and a rash had suddenly came on and she was feeling dizzy, I left came home and took her to the nearest ER.\ at 9pm.
We arrived at the ER and they checked her in and then took blood pressure and temp. They took her to a room where she laid for 20 minutes then this late 20 something women comes in and talks and examines her and gives her two benadryls and says she will be right back, she returned 20 minutes later by then the swelling and rash were reduced. The women then introduced herself as a Physicians Assistant. We asked her if a Dr would be in to see her. The PA said there were no available Drs on staff at that time and she then proceeded to discharge her. This was 50 minutes after we arrived.
Two weeks later we got a bill for $1100 so I contacted the hospital and reminded them the admin person took a $50 payment that night and we would qualify for an insurance discount of 60%. They said they had no record of that. I told them I was on unemployment and my wife wasnt working and if we had to pay the entire bill we would take 2 years unless the work situation changed greatly. They then sent me a charity app which because of our 2012 income we did not qualify.
Last month they called wanting their money,all of it. I reminded them of past conversations and said I will send them 5% a month till paid and right now that is all I can afford. Again I mentioned the discount we were promised to deaf ears.
Today... I drove to the hospital billing department with bill and checkbook in hand. Reminded them of past conversations, and asked them for the same discount an insurance company gets,explained to them that their money was as green as mine. I told them we saw a PA not a DR but were charged a DR rate and that they gave my wife 2 pills that cost 85 cents at Rite Aid.
The billing rep got on the phone and said some code words to another agent and then hung up and looked at me and said I got you the discount and apologize that you have had to deal with this. I wrote my check got my receipt and payment arrangement statement and said this Catholic hospital needs to find its Jesus compassion. I explained to her the same visit at the hospital in the next town over would have been 1/2 that price before the insurance discount and that was our hospital of choice NOW if it wasn't a major emergency. I did thank the billing rep for her understanding.
Sometimes not giving up or in is the way to go.
(closing... I am not someone who wants anyone to pay for my supper but I believe that my money is every bit as good as a big insurance company. I was not trying to get out of paying this,just that I get a fair deal.)
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