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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
Background: A suicide hotline worker tricked me, saying a social worker was coming to help me. I went outside, and it was an AMBULANCE, who forced me to go with them to the hospital, even though I never stated to anyone that I was going to kill myself.
I talked to the hospital financial lady today, and she said that even though I have very low income and am about to lose my job, and I have no insurance, they will NOT write off the bills for the hospital and the ambulance. Who, by the way, did nothing to help me and sent me home walking through a bad neighborhood at 3 a.m.
She said if I don't pay, they will turn my account over to a collections agency. If they have nothing to take (i.e. steal) from me, my credit score will get hit. She said the bill will definitely be in the hundreds of dollars.
My case truly demonstrates that this "prosperous" country of ours is really a system of haves and have-nots. It demonstrates the inadequate treatment of the mentally ill. And it makes Canada look really good to me right now.
Posted by Declan on July 24, 2006, at 17:49:29
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
Your experience has been a dreadful farce. I don't know how people survive....I guess sometimes they don't.
I'm not very clear on how much people *can* help each other (I'm not saying they can't, and getting the meds right is important).
When I was much younger I turned myself into a (private) mental hospital periodically, for reasons that are now unclear to me.
Which is to say that now I am less optimistic about the possibility of help.
But you'd hope for something better than what you got.
Declan
Posted by Bobby on July 24, 2006, at 18:10:51
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
that should fix it--paid in full by John Q. Public.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 18:22:52
In reply to Tell them you're an illegal alien, posted by Bobby on July 24, 2006, at 18:10:51
This country sucks.
Posted by TexasChic on July 24, 2006, at 19:27:56
In reply to You got that right. *fumes*, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 18:22:52
I have hospital bills that never got paid. Yeah, it went to collection, yeah my credit's bad, but I've never had anything
repossessed. I'm not saying I know for sure it won't happen, but I've been in debt for years now. And I'm by no means bragging about it, it makes me crazy. But I just try to deal with things as they come. Right now I have to get caught up on my student loan because they WILL garnish your paycheck, but they're the only ones I know of that can do that.-T
Posted by caraher on July 24, 2006, at 20:10:12
In reply to Re: You got that right. *fumes* » PhoenixGirl, posted by TexasChic on July 24, 2006, at 19:27:56
That's so outrageous I just spent the past hour or so seeing whether I could find anything online concerning who is liable for the costs in such a case. Don't pay them. Complain to everyone in sight. Complain to the hospital, ambulance service, police, and the agency running the hotline.
If you don't get anywhere consider looking for a lawyer who will work on a contingency basis. If nothing else you can probably find out whether you have a case legally. And your putative creditors might decide it's not worth the hassle of going to court if you press them.
Posted by Kath on July 24, 2006, at 20:25:42
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
So sorry - I hoped they might waive it.
Yup, Canada is pretty good. If it's a 911 call you have to pay for the ambulance, which I think is $45. but that's it.
Do you have a political representative for your area who you might call? Or the newspaper? It seems a pretty outrageous situation.
Kath
Posted by Snoozin on July 24, 2006, at 21:09:04
In reply to Re: You got that right. *fumes* » PhoenixGirl, posted by TexasChic on July 24, 2006, at 19:27:56
What state is this, Phoenix Girl, if you don't mind my asking?
I work in health care regulation, including uncompensated care. Lemme know your state and maybe I can find some loopholes/programs for you. Can't guarantee anything, but at least I can look. And is it a private or public hospital?
That's absolutely unconscionable what they are doing to you. :(
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 21:51:29
In reply to Re: You got that right. *fumes*, posted by Snoozin on July 24, 2006, at 21:09:04
Columbus, GA
Posted by Jost on July 24, 2006, at 22:17:08
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
Unconscionable is the word.
Does the financial officer at the hospital have a supervisor?
You might be able to work out some sort of long-term plan, possibly with reduction of the overall cost, if you express desire to "work out" a settlement.
Not that you should have to-- it is shocking the way they bully you into coming, then charge the he** out of you.--but realistically, if you could, it might at least keep your credit rating okay.
What about the suicide hotline? Seems like their phone person made a very bad call-- and should bear some responsibility. I know they're trying to help, but sounds like whoever misled you must have been very badly trained.
There's got to be some recourse. How can they more or less involuntarily hospitalize people then charge them? Esp. if you don't have insurance?
How off-base this country is in the way we spent our money in the "healthcare" system.
Jost
Posted by Snoozin on July 24, 2006, at 22:29:00
In reply to I live in Georgia, and this happened in Columbus, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 21:51:29
> Columbus, GA
Thanks. I'll take a look at work tomorrow. I thought it was GA, but wasn't sure. Unfortunately, looks like they have a limited uncompensated care fund, and no high risk pool.
{{{{{PG}}}}}}
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2006, at 23:27:59
In reply to Re: I live in Georgia, and this happened in Columb, posted by Snoozin on July 24, 2006, at 22:29:00
If you make an attempt to pay they can't hurt your credit rating i don't think. Pay $l0 a month. And does the crisis line tape their calls like 9ll. Maybe there is something on the tape. Love Phillipa
Posted by wildcardII on July 25, 2006, at 9:56:15
In reply to You got that right. *fumes*, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 18:22:52
i'm sorry you got screwed over. i understand you're upset and pissed off but please don't blame a bad experience on a whole. i do not agree w/ a lot of what is going on here in the US but it's still my home too.
also, if you send the people $1.00 a month, they CANNOT put it against you legally. maybe look into a medicaid type temporary emergency insurance? it's worth a try and there is now more funding than ever for mental illness related health issues in some states. if not, write a letter every week to the superior of the hospital, hotline, state, etc., until they get so damn sick of you they reevaluate the situation. it may be time consuming so write one and make copies...i've done it and it works and this was in SC.
one more thing~MOST places do not hold medical bills against you whether they are on your credit or not...hope that helps. HANG IN THERE
Posted by Snoozin on July 25, 2006, at 12:25:26
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
Hiya,
Could you tell me which hospital it was? You can babble mail it if you'd like. Can't find much for Georgia in the way of help for the uninsured...only difference I see is between not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals and their charity care programs.
Thanks!
Posted by Snoozin on July 25, 2006, at 12:45:05
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
PG,
Don't know what hospital you went to, but if it accepts federal/state money from a program for Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSHs), it must have certain free and reduced-charge programs in place.
If you make less than 125% the federal poverty level, your care is free (less than $12,250 a year). If you make less than 200% FPL ($19,600), your charges are reduced, I believe on a sliding scare according to income. (This is if you are an individual, no children/dependents).
http://www.healthassistancepartnership.org/assets/pdfs/ICTF_Manual_07-01-030ea5.pdf
If these income limits do not apply to you, it's worth trying to negotiate with the hospitals. They inflate their charges for uninsured people. Health insurance companies negotiate a *plan's allowed amount* and the hospital willingly takes this discounted payment. There is no reason they shouldn't take it from you, too. For example, as an uninsured person, you might be charged $1,200 for the ambulance ride, whereas a BlueCross BlueShield person's insurance policy would pay only $600, the plan's negotiated amount. On this principle alone, the hospital should reduce your charges at least by half.
I hope some of this helps.
Posted by Racer on July 25, 2006, at 18:43:12
In reply to People, I am getting financially F-KED by hospital, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:35:17
I'd recommend paying careful attention to Snoozin's advice, since s/he is in a position to know a lot about this sort of thing.
I'd also advise you contact your county department of mental health (or just department of health, if your county doesn't break it out), and explain that you can't pay. Ask them what to do, ask them to step in. There's a limit to what they can do, but if you "throw yourself on their mercy" -- by which I mean, be very submissive, make it clear that you're asking for them to help you work this bill out, not telling them they have to make it go away, etc -- they're likely to be able to do something.
I've been in your situation, and the private ambulance that was used to take me from the psychiatric emergency room to the hospital cost a fortune. They could just as well have had me transported some other way, but they used a private ambulance service. That was about $2,000. And the ambulance company refused to negotiate the bill. So, I feel your pain.
It [emulates a Hoover], no question. And it doesn't sound as though you got any help from the hospital anyway. (Oh, and why didn't they just transport you in a police cruiser? That's just Revenue Enhancement for the ambulance company, if your area is like mine.) I'm very sorry it's all happened.
Good luck.
Posted by Deneb on July 25, 2006, at 22:58:39
In reply to Information on DSH Hospitals and Charity Care, posted by Snoozin on July 25, 2006, at 12:45:05
> For example, as an uninsured person, you might be charged $1,200 for the ambulance ride, whereas a BlueCross BlueShield person's insurance policy would pay only $600, the plan's negotiated amount.
Holy sh*t! $1200!!! for an ambulance ride? I had no idea it costs that much. I live in Canada and I got hauled off involuntarily to the hospital in an ambulance. I stayed in the ER for the night and was locked up for 3/4 days in the psych ward. I have no idea how much this all cost. I only had to pay $45 for the ambulance.
How much would it cost?
I'm so sorry you have to go through this PhoenixGirl. I'm sorry you didn't get any help from your experience and now you have to pay for it as well.
What do people with no insurance do anyways? Die?
Deneb*
Posted by cloudydaze on July 26, 2006, at 0:22:14
In reply to Re: Information on DSH Hospitals and Charity Care, posted by Deneb on July 25, 2006, at 22:58:39
I think if I were in your situation, I would broadcast my story on the evening news...
there is something really really wrong with what they did/are doing to you. They are taking advantage of you, bigtime.
It is outrageous and should not be tolerated.
I would contact a lawyer, if you can. If you can't then just write letters to the hospital, to the hotline, to government officials, etc.
I hope someone will have the decency to make it right.
((((PG))))
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 26, 2006, at 8:49:22
In reply to Re: Information on DSH Hospitals and Charity Care, posted by cloudydaze on July 26, 2006, at 0:22:14
I have to keep my life secret from my bosses. I told them my trip to the ER was due to passing out from low blood pressure.
Posted by cloudydaze on July 26, 2006, at 20:02:55
In reply to I'm a reporter, so I can't turn to news for help, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 26, 2006, at 8:49:22
Well...you can still write letters :)
This is the end of the thread.
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