Because I went yesterday. They said I owed them money for a couple of visits a while back, even though I have checked into my insurance I used to have and they said that there is indeed a referral in place and that account should have been paid if they would have re-submitted the claim.
So anyways, they wouldn't let me be seen by a doctor because of this, because of it being unpaid from back then even though I told them there is a referral, re-submit the claim. They insisted there is no referral even though I have checked and found otherwise. But they said I can't see a doctor, but I could go to the ER.
Where is the sense in this?!?! To charge a patient $1,000 for an ER visit when they no longer have insurance now instead of allowing them to be seen by a doctor which would be much less? And I thought all of this was illegal?!?!?!!!
2006-11-01 07:12:14 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No....it would be illegal for an emergency room to turn you away though.
2006-11-01 07:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it is not illegal to turn a patient away for having a delinquent balance and/or not being able to pay for the services that are being requested. The only exception is life threatening illness or injury. If you go to an ER for a non-emergency, they can also turn you away, they are just less likely to. ER's will turn away fractures, minor contusions, etc. if the patient does not have insurance or the ability to pay. I had a patient that was discharged from the hospital with multiple facial fractures including mandible and orbit fractures after a fight for just that reason.
Medical businesses are not required to provide services for free. Some non-profit hospitals have an allowance in their budget for free care to indigent patients. But this is intended for the truly poor not people who just want something for nothing. Medical businesses like other businesses have the reasonable right to be paid for the work they do. You wouldn't go to a grocery store and expect to be given food for free (I hope). Why do you expect this from medical providers?
With regards to your insurance difficulties, it is the insured's responsibillity to ensure payment to the provider. The fact that a provider accepts your insurance plan does not relieve you of your responsibilities. It is your responsibility to get approval for services. It is your responsibility to know your benefits and whether or not the services provided to you are covered by your insurance plan and at what rate. The provider's efforts on your behalf are a courtesy not a requirement.
When people receive medical services and don't accept responsibility for the charges incurred it affects everyone because it forces the overall cost of providing health care up.
Pay your bills. Don't scream victim.
2006-11-01 15:48:51 · answer #2 · answered by tallmochagirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hospitals make mistakes all the time. They are required to accept you for the ER. If in fact they do so, and invoice you for $1000 instead of, say, $100, sue them immediately in Small Claims Court.
They will settle for the $100.
Do not wait for them to put you into collections. Sue them first.
2006-11-01 15:20:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A clinic is normally a private company, they don't recieve tax dollars to pay to stay open, they are a business, they can't treat someone who does not pay, any more than a gas station can give you gas if you can't pay.
Only those specific hospitals which are state funded are required to treat you.
2006-11-01 17:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you went to a private clinic, then yes, they can do this--you don't pay the bills, they don't have to see you anymore. If you go to a clinic supported by state or federal money, in any way, then they can not legally turn you away.
2006-11-01 15:15:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many large ER's have clinics attached. You can go to one of those and they cannot turn you away. However, a private clinic like Primacare or Care Now can.
2006-11-01 15:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by MEL T 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is only illegal for them to turn you away if you are an Illegal, they dont have to let you see a doctor unless you are seriously ill.
2006-11-01 15:15:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Didn't you ask this question last week? It is only illegal if you required emergency medical attention.
2006-11-01 15:15:55 · answer #8 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋