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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    1

    Default Billed for Medical Care Received by a Parent on a Tourist Visa

    Hi Friends,

    Few months back my parents visited to USA on Tourism visa, where I'm the sponsor/sent invitation as per I-134/usual visa documentation. After a month unfortunately my father got sick we took him to ER in local hospital@BayArea, where he was treated and hospitalized for 2 days. I bought full comprehensive insurance from HCCMIS (a reputed agency), and which is accepted by hospital during admission. My father signed all papers, gave my home address/phone no as local one is needed by hospital and I had to give my name as witness for his belongings. My parents left home country in couple of days for further medical treatment as it could exceed visitor insurance limit if it is here.

    After a month I started receiving various medical bills (from hospital, doctors, labs), which are all on my father's name and mentioned insurance company yet to pay bills. In couple of weeks I got statements from insurance companies that they paid bills up to around 10-15K (which includes flight cancellation fees also, claimed by me). I was happy that insurance company is paid all bills and a bit surprised too that how come it is 10-15K including all, and in a week I got another statement from insurance company that it rejected 4 claims (ER visit, hospital stay, imaging, surgical equipment ) under pre-existing condition and that amount is around 40K. I was shocked that how could they cover 30% and rest denied under pre-existing condition, and my father never had that medical condition in the past. Since he is above 65+, and he was admitted after 2 days of observing symptoms (an acute pre-existing case should be admitted in with in 24 hrs of symptom started), insurance could have denied (just assuming, not inquired yet). I just received a big bill from hospital (which is on my father's name) ? now I completely lost on what to do ?

    1. Since everything is on my fathers name if I ignore bills, would there be any issue in the future for re-entry ?
    2. Since it is not a pre-existing condition, if I talk to hospital to reclaim insurance or file a compliant as how could they pay half and reject half ? But since I'll be involved in this, will I be liable if insurance company don't pay at the end ?
    3. Shall I call hospital, and report immediately that patient is left home country, a retired senior citizen with no income and he never had this medical condition in the past so it is up to you how to proceed but please don't reach out me. OR just ignore and later collection agency may come back as my home address/phone number is given there ?
    4. Are there any other options to fire back on insurance company ? But I'm thinking it should be from Hospital, the minute I involve I might need to be signed or get signs from my father for further legal complaints on Insurance company ? But don't know the chances insurance will cover as they are smart in dealing these things especially for senior visitors under pre-existing conditions.

    Big time appreciated your inputs for my situation.....and please do research before buying any insurance companies, even they are 4+ star rated (it is in my case ....)

    Thanks,

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Billed for Medical Care Received by a Parent on a Tourist Visa

    Are these bills coming in your name, or in your father's name?
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    View Post
    ...and I had to give my name as witness for his belongings.
    Did you sign as guarantor?
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    I was shocked that how could they cover 30% and rest denied under pre-existing condition, and my father never had that medical condition in the past.
    You can have a pre-existing condition without having a prior diagnosis for that condition.

    You can also encounter insurance companies that are more interested in denying claims than in covering them.

    We don't have any of the relevant facts, so we can't say much one way or the other.
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    Since everything is on my fathers name if I ignore bills, would there be any issue in the future for re-entry?
    If by "everything is on my fathers name" you mean that you are not a guarantor and all the bills are coming to your address because that's the address your father gave to the hospital, you can inform them of his correct address and have them send the bills directly to your father.

    Immigration officials aren't bill collectors. They don't check your credit.
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    2. Since it is not a pre-existing condition, if I talk to hospital to reclaim insurance or file a compliant as how could they pay half and reject half?
    We have none of the relevant information to comment on the pre-existing condition, or why part of the bill was paid. You can inquire with the insurance company; it may be necessary for your father to make the inquiry.
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    But since I'll be involved in this, will I be liable if insurance company don't pay at the end?
    You either guaranteed the debt or you did not.
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    3. Shall I call hospital, and report immediately that patient is left home country, a retired senior citizen with no income and he never had this medical condition in the past so it is up to you how to proceed but please don't reach out me.
    Again, if this collection effort is only against your father, you have every right to give the hospital the correct billing address for your father.
    Quote Quoting tkris131
    4. Are there any other options to fire back on insurance company?
    You will read the policy to determine how you can dispute the denial of a claim and you (or your father) can take advantage of that mechanism. If that fails, you / your father can consider other remedies, such as civil litigation.

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