Comments on: U.S. Hospitals Sue Insurers and Canadian Travellers For Underpaying Bills http://travelinsurancefile.com/headlines/us-hospitals-sue-insurers-and-canadian-travellers-for-underpaying-bills-2/ Online clearinghouse for Travel Insurance News and Commentary” –Independent, Objective, Factual and Current Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:17:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Milan http://travelinsurancefile.com/headlines/us-hospitals-sue-insurers-and-canadian-travellers-for-underpaying-bills-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4739 Milan Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:25:55 +0000 http://www.travelinsurancefile.com/?p=53#comment-4739 Virgil: I assume this was not pre-approved by OHIP, and you went to Henry Ford with the intention of having your existing blood disorder treated. In effect, it was not an unforeseen emergency? Henry Ford has a lot of Canadian patients and it could be they have been burned a few times by non-payments so they're taking a hard line. Usually American hospitals are more than willing to negotiate. In this case you might make a one-time, take it or leave it offer to the collector: tell them you are on a low income, there are no deep pockets, you are prepared to pay X dollars within 48 hours, otherwise they get nothing. Be realistic in what you offer but be tough. But don't give them any money unless you have a letter signed by someone in authority clearly stating that the payment you make will be considered payment in full and they will cease any other attempts at collection. Don't argue the price of the bill--it's not that much out line for five days of investigations. Just fix your price and stick to it. Hospital collectors are used to taking a lot less. Good luck. Milan Virgil:
I assume this was not pre-approved by OHIP, and you went to Henry Ford with the intention of having your existing blood disorder treated. In effect, it was not an unforeseen emergency?

Henry Ford has a lot of Canadian patients and it could be they have been burned a few times by non-payments so they’re taking a hard line. Usually American hospitals are more than willing to negotiate. In this case you might make a one-time, take it or leave it offer to the collector: tell them you are on a low income, there are no deep pockets, you are prepared to pay X dollars within 48 hours, otherwise they get nothing. Be realistic in what you offer but be tough. But don’t give them any money unless you have a letter signed by someone in authority clearly stating that the payment you make will be considered payment in full and they will cease any other attempts at collection. Don’t argue the price of the bill–it’s not that much out line for five days of investigations. Just fix your price and stick to it. Hospital collectors are used to taking a lot less. Good luck.

Milan

]]> By: Virgil Brewer http://travelinsurancefile.com/headlines/us-hospitals-sue-insurers-and-canadian-travellers-for-underpaying-bills-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4734 Virgil Brewer Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:58:29 +0000 http://www.travelinsurancefile.com/?p=53#comment-4734 Hi, I have been a permanent resident of Ontario since 1996. In 2009, I was hospitalized at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for 5 days and tested for over-production of blood platelets. When OHIP refused to pay anything, I was billed an astounding $24,000 for the medical service alone -- not the hospital costs. This amount is more than I made that year. I was even tested by a heart specialist, not because it was relevant, but because each specialist wanted to be "thorough". The Hospital refused to negociate with me and turned the billing over to an agency for collection. They seem to be relentless. I have already paid a number of other billings. I don't know how I can get a reduced billing. Thanks, Virgil Hi, I have been a permanent resident of Ontario since 1996. In 2009, I was hospitalized at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for 5 days and tested for over-production of blood platelets. When OHIP refused to pay anything, I was billed an astounding $24,000 for the medical service alone — not the hospital costs. This amount is more than I made that year. I was even tested by a heart specialist, not because it was relevant, but because each specialist wanted to be “thorough”. The Hospital refused to negociate with me and turned the billing over to an agency for collection. They seem to be relentless. I have already paid a number of other billings. I don’t know how I can get a reduced billing. Thanks, Virgil

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