Debt collectors in the ER: Pay up or NO treatmtent for you!

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

Hospital patients waiting in the emergency room or convalescing after surgery could find themselves confronted by an unexpected visitor: a debt collector at bedside.

In November, Marcia Newton was shocked when she was forced to pay for her son Maxx's ear tube surgery at Fairview Hospital even before he went into the hospital room.

One of the nation's largest medical debt-collection companies is under fire in Minnesota for having placed its employees in emergency rooms and other departments at two hospitals and demanding that patients pay before receiving treatment, according to documents released Tuesday by the Minnesota attorney general. The documents say the company also used patient health records to wrangle for more money on overdue bills.


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I am a Canadian. I have lived in America for the last several years. I find the health care system in this country APPALLING.

It's about profits over people. Who the hell cares if the health of citizens is improving (it isn't), so long as we keep the money rolling in, they can die in the street.

That's the attitude. It's horrid and yet there is a group of people who want to VEHEMENTLY support and DEFEND this system.

The mind boggles.

[Seifer]

It's the same problem we have with the asinine War on Drugs. We've invested so much time, money, and man power into the Health Insurance system that if we get rid of it now and have a blanket healthcare system for all, millions of people will lose their jobs and a shit-ton of money will be lost. The insurance companies have a lot of lobbyists in the government to keep that from happening, and they're doing a damn fine job of ruining any chance of a national health care system for the United States.

Oh, and I don't think anyone can force you to pay for something that hasn't been done yet. The hospital finishes a surgery and then they get paid, that's how it works.

[HYHYBT]

For emergency services, it's illegal. Anything else... well, why should doctors and hospitals work for free? Any other business, if you have a customer who doesn't pay his bills, you start making them pay up front.

[Jaden]

Did you miss the part where they're getting in legal trouble for it? If you have problems with the American healthcare system, fine. I just don't see how this is relevant. These people were operating illegally.

[bainsidhe]

This whole situation is appalling. I wonder how many people feel pressured and so they just leave before getting the care they need? Not to mention they're preying on people at their most vulnerable. Disgusting.

The other bit that frosts me is the discussion of HIPPA violations. I want my doctors & nurses involved in my medical records, you know the ones who are concerned about my care. I'm horrified that a debt collecting company has access to my very private and personal records. Good grief.

[bex1218]

Yeah, if you are in the ER, they have to treat you, no matter how much money you owe. They can't turn you away. Majorly illegal.

Debt collectors are sneaky bastards.

[lordlundar]

Did you miss the part where they're getting in legal trouble for it? If you have problems with the American healthcare system, fine. I just don't see how this is relevant. These people were operating illegally.

You think this wasn't planned? They have a bank of attorneys telling them what they can do.

No, this is a test case. They WANT this to go to court so they can get a ruling in their favour (and given the political situation in the US right now, that is not an outlandish belief) so they have a precedent and can start extortion practices legally.

[tropicsgoddess]

Debt collectors are sneaky bastards.

They are downright sleazy scummy bastards too. I despise them. That debt collection tactic in the hospital is nothing short of highway robbery.

[bex1218]

Ah, one one my "friends" used my phone number as hers going to the hospital. There be debt collectors calling the phone. I finally told them "I don't talk to her anymore. STop calling me. I don't know where she is, etc". A year later they started calling me again, on top of me having my own debt problems. I would have to be desperate for a job to work for an agency like that. I am too nice.

[bara]

Had a debt collector calling me, 2 of the three people I managed to talk to were allright. But that third was a major bitch.

"You NEED to pay this or else?"
Or else what? I dont own a house, my car is paid for and (at the time) Im not working? Taking me to court wont help since I just plain out cant pay it?
"Well call the police!"
Go ahead, they cant do anything except issue a court notice.
"They will arrest you"
For what being poor? I could easily report you right now for empty threats.
<click>

[RedRoseSpiral]

Reminds me of one bitch trying to get me to pay a medical bill. I had been laid off and had to choose between a food and the bill so I chose food. Not even a week had passed and I had them after me. Best conversation:

"You have to pay this now."
I just told you I lost my job and don't have money. It'll get paid when it gets paid.
"No, it needs to be paid now. Don't you own a credit card?"
That's none of your business.
"Well don't you have a family member to pay for it?"
No, do you have family members who pay all of your bills?
"You shouldn't have gone to the hospital if you couldn't pay the bill."
Bitch, I just told you I got laid off with a one week warning. I also told you the bill will be paid when it gets paid.
*click* <---was on my end. Didn't see how that conversation could have progress any further. The next didn't try pushing half as hard. Paid the bill a month later when I found another job.

[HYHYBT]

Did you miss the part where they're getting in legal trouble for it? If you have problems with the American healthcare system, fine. I just don't see how this is relevant. These people were operating illegally.

I understand that and, now that I'm done with that final exam and can think straight, humbly withdraw my previous post.

[Jaden]

I understand that and, now that I'm done with that final exam and can think straight, humbly withdraw my previous post.

Eh? My comment was directed at the OP. I guess I didn't make that clear. I didn't really have a problem with your comment. I mean, I certainly think that, due to the importance of the things hospitals do even in non-emergency situations, and due to the expense of those services, they shouldn't ask for money until afterwards. But you're right - why should hospitals and doctors have to work for free?

[s_stabeler]

They shouldn't have to work for free, ( although there ARE laws that mandate a certain dollar value (per year) of treatments be provided for free by some hospitals ( IIRC, if they've received certain federal grants, they must offer a certain amount of free treatment to those who otherwise couldn't pay) but remember that a lot of emergency treatments can't be used after a certain amount of time has elapsed. So keep collection activity until after the patient is stable, THEN you can talk about payment.

[fireheart17]

For some reason I am being reminded about a scene from ER....

In the scene, Benton is trying to get a shunt (or something) put into a man who needs dialysis, however is consistently refused by Romano because the patient couldn't pay (said patient did have insurance, but the company in question was a fraud). One quick call to Social Services later and Romano is forced to do the surgery or risk an investigation.

And this is why I am so glad that we have the public/private option down here. In emergency rooms, unless you say otherwise, you are automatically considered to be a public patient meaning that Medicare pays for your treatment.

The public/private system works something like this:

Public patient: you get treated for free and all that jazz, standard of care is no different.
Private patient: you can pick your doctor/specialist/whatever and also get treated in a private hospital should you choose to do so. You are responsible for whatever your insurance does not cover.

You can choose to be treated as a private patient even if you don't have health insurance, Medicare covers 75% and you're responsible for the rest.

Private patients are not guaranteed a single room however, as those rooms are allocated according to need, not to whether you can afford it.