http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/ Issues in the collection of medical, hospital, and doctor bills. en Wed, 22 May 2013 13:28:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/ http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158714&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 23:43:37 GMT My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Texas My wife had some blood drawn at an in network lab and then they sent it out of... My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Texas

My wife had some blood drawn at an in network lab and then they sent it out of network without my wife's permission. My wife did not sign any paper work for this and the lab that they sent it to out of network has not sent me any paperwork with my wife's signature on it. Is there a way I can get them to leave me alone or do we have to pay this bill that was not authorized? Thanks! ]]> Medical Debt rlsmith789 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158714 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158224&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 17:53:11 GMT My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: NY Almost 2 years ago (8/2011) my 3 year old son fell and gashed his head. An... My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: NY

Almost 2 years ago (8/2011) my 3 year old son fell and gashed his head. An ambulance was called but he wouldn't let anyone, even me, near the cut to assess it. The EMT saw it enough (from a distance) to say he needed stitches. I was getting in the ambulance when I told the EMT that my car was parked right behind him. He told me it was no big deal and that insurance companies routinely pay for ambulance service. At this point my husband showed up and climbed in to comfort our son. I didn't want to disturb them, so I got out so I could drive the car and meet them at the hospital. (Had I not been in crisis mode, I would have rationally thought to just drive the three of us over myself.)

Anyway, we didn't hear regarding an ambulance charge until just a few months ago. They want $425 for a 3 mile drive to the hospital. Mind you the EMTs never once were able to attend to my son, so it's essentially a $425 "taxi" ride. The bill was addressed in my son's name but the last name is spelled incorrectly which makes it a completely different name. The apartment number is also incorrect. We gave the correct info via an insurance card at the hospital, so not sure why this happened. Anyway, I don't want to call them to dispute it because it will let them know that, despite the incorrect name and apartment number we got the bill. This bill is ludicrous, and in my experience hospitals do not work with patients to come up with a fair resolution, so I'd rather just ignore it. Can I safely do this given the wrong name it's addressed to?

Thanks for input.

(p.s. - if this were a reasonable or legitimate charge I would pay it, but this is ridiculous considering the false advice I was given under duress.) ]]> Medical Debt estebear http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158224 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158212&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 13:15:10 GMT My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Florida My mother never signed any medical treatment agreements or anything with the... My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Florida

My mother never signed any medical treatment agreements or anything with the hospital in regards to my father's cancer treatment. He has recently passed away and the hospital now wants to collect the remainder from her. His will left everything to her so there is nothing to go to probate. My questions are these: Is she still responsible for any of his medical bills because she was his wife, and if not, is there a statute that states this? Also, is there anything she should do, i.e. writing a letter to the hospital or debt collections, stating this? ]]> Medical Debt Kahleniel http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158212 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158004&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 23:33:26 GMT My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: Illinois I went to a ER late night because my left eye was in extreme amount of pain. ... My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: Illinois

I went to a ER late night because my left eye was in extreme amount of pain. My right eye shut along with it due to physiological responses. Also, I had to look down because it hurt to keep my head up as it made more pressure occur around my eyes. I had a family member take me to the ER.

Upon entering the facility I waited roughly forty-five minutes for the doctor. I described to him my position. He told me that the local eye care place opens in six hours and that there is not much they can do. From there he left and came back about fifteen minutes later. He asked me to hold open my right eye so he could see the condition. I tried to pry my eyelids open, but the pain was so great I curled into a ball. He left the room for roughly fifteen minutes again and came back. This time he walked me to the bathroom. Both eyes were still shut and he was verbally guiding me through the hospital. He wanted me to put numbing drops in my eyes. Once again, I tried to open my right eye but could not manage to do so. Instead I curled into a ball and asked for help back to the room. From there I asked for pain medicine to help so I might be able to open my eye. He offered me a pain shot. I asked if they had any pills like aleve. He offered me a shot twice, but I did not want to be nauseous from a shot so I asked for something not as strong. It did not sound like a good idea to not be able to see and get sick at the same time. He left for about fifteen minutes again.

Another doctor came in the room. He told me if I refused to open my eyes then I am denying their service against their request. The new doctor asked if I was denying their service. I told him that if that was the only way to look at my eyes, which are causing me extreme pain, is force them open without pain medication, then nothing would be able accomplished. He then asked me the same question again. I said if they are failing to administer pain medication to me for the area of my body which is causing me the most pain, and then asking me to touch that area, and then asking me to force it open, then any further action would be halted. He then said I am denying their service. I asked him if I have to pay for this service and he told me I will.

The next morning I went to the eye doctor and my cornea was starting to come off my left eye.

Three days later, I called the patient advocacy department of the hospital and explained the situation. I asked her if waiting in the ER means sitting for hours, being only asked what is wrong, being offered and denied pain medication, and then being told because I cannot physically function the way they want me to, then that means I am denying service and can be charged. She said yes. She said that service from a doctor can be simply just asking me how I feel and nothing else can be done, even in a situation like this.

Is there anything I can do? Do I need more information to provide on this post? ]]> Medical Debt MarkW81 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158004 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157932&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 01:04:03 GMT My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: Florida When we went to wake my daughter yesterday she was practically lifeless. She... My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: Florida

When we went to wake my daughter yesterday she was practically lifeless. She couldn't open her eyes for more than a moment or even lift her arm. We took her temperature and she was 92 degrees. We rushed her to the closet ER. They discovered she was hypothermic and started treating immediately. The doctor was extremely concerned and started running a bunch of tests. She had a chest x-ray, ultrasound, blood work, and urine analysis. They figured out she was critically dehydrated and started an IV. Two hours later she was perking up and responding to the nurses. I told the doctor she had had a stomach flu since 2 days prior and was still having severely watery stools. I assumed they would keep her for monitoring for a few hours to make sure she didn't get dehydrated again. After only being there 4 hours and only an hour after my daughter had become lucid they discharged us. They said to return if her temperature dropped below 96.7 or she stopped taking fluids. That afternoon she had another 4 severely watery stools and I was literally fighting with her (she's a toddler) to get her to drink water, juice, or pedialyte. At bedtime, we bundled her in fleece PJs and a wool blanket. Her temperate was great when we put her down. 2 hours later I check her temp and it had plummeted to 96.2. I rushed her to the ER again (per the doctors instructions.) I wrapped her in two wool blankets and two jackets on the way to the hospital. After arriving and telling the triage nurse she was treated for hypothermia that morning, they didn't even take her temp until 30 min. later. By that point it registered 97.1. Another 2 hours later then took a urine sample, which the doctor literally looked at said she was fine and discharged us. I argued that I was concerned about her drop in temp and her refusal to take fluids. He said, "Just buy some juice and give her a warm bath." Finally, I asked about the diarrhea and he said they'd give me a prescription for it. The next day I took her to her PCP. The PCP had seen the hospital paperwork and said it was completely unacceptable they released her when they did. Her blood work showed critically dangerous dehydration levels and that she should have been monitored for at least 24 hours given that she still had diarrhea. And as for the prescription the doctor gave me the night before, it was for treating nausea and vomiting, not diarrhea. The PCP had to give me a new prescription.

The hospital is charging us $250 for both appointments. I've paid one but I don't think we should have to pay the other. We didn't receive any care. Literally all they did was take her temperature and look at her urine, and then prescribed an unrelated medication. My question is, What are my rights? Can I legally refuse to pay for services that weren't even given? ]]> Medical Debt momof(2) http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157932