hospitals ripping off the taxpayers?

Question

My stepmother fell and broke her rib. She is a retired nurse and knew there was nothing they could really do but she went to the ER hoping to get something for the pain.She waited 3 hours and said she just couldn't sit there anymore because of the pain so she went and told the receptionist to take her name off the waiting list because she was going to go home . The receptionist told her to sign a form for medicare. My stepmother asked her why? The receptionist said "so the bill can be sent to medicare" She said why would a bill be sent to medicare I never saw a doctor.? The woman replied that was standard procedure. She asked if medicare was aware that they were being charged for people who never even saw a doctor? The woman replied "yes". I asked my doctor about this and he said yes they do it everywhere. Wow! How do you feel about taxpayer money being thrown away like this?

Answer 1

All people have to do is REFUSE TO SIGN. You are NOT required to sign a Medicare form if you have not been treated. All of the information that Medicare and Social Security sends out TELLS you this. But people sign it anyway. And then, when the people get a copy of the bill that Medicare sends, they don't dispute it.



It takes some courage from citizens to stop the corruption. In this case, the courage to say "heck no....I didn't see a doctor - so there is nothing to charge FOR"....and then don't sign it. Without a signature from the patient, the bill can't be submitted.

Answer 2

At least she's not being double billed like I was. The hospital started all the billing over again when the last bill was paid. They said they couldn't get it off their computer, and to just ignore it. However, ignoring it would have ruined my credit history. So the next time you go to the hospital, bring a lawyer.

And I've been to a hospital without being triaged, You walk in, tell the receptionist your problem, and she hands you forms. You sit down and fill them out. That's triage at the hospital near me.

Answer 3

Do you know what you are talking about or are you just parroting Rush and O'Reilly? How much do you think a teacher earns per year? The average salary of a teacher with a Bachelor's Degree at 1 year's experience is $32,561. The median annual wage of a cab driver in 2008 was $21,550. And the cab driver probably doesn't have college loans to pay off.

Answer 4

One thing your post doesn't address: Wasnt she triaged when she first entered? No hospital ED is just going to have you sign in, sit and wait without someone (a NURSE) assessing the situation for if it is truly an emergency that most go to the head of the line or not to be seen by a doctor. So didn't a nurse talk to your step mother, take her temp, her vitals, etc....????



Assuming your mother was triaged, I can see an expecation of SOME form of reimbursement for the service--albeit not much.



But I doubt that your stepmother just signed in, sat down, and was not actually assessed by someone with a clinical background.

Answer 5

How do I feel as a taxpayer that your mother was triaged, a chart started (all taking time and manpower - which costs money) and then decided to leave without being seen? I'm a little miffed that she was in the ER for something that was obviously not an emergency (as she left before being seen) and it is this kind of abuse of the ER that drives up everyones wait times and ER costs.



The ER used people to start her chart and triage her - the hospital shouldn't have to eat that because she decided to leave.

Answer 6

I do know about that and other basic "legalized fraud" especially on the state levels with AFDC. Our Govt cannot or will not control it's ridiculous spending...in the meantime everyone suffers one way or another.

I do recommend that a complaint be filed...hopefully a statement will be sent to her and then she should call the fraud hot line.

Answer 7

How about our beloved congress making it law that any illegal immigrantshould be treated at no cost if he has no ins.

And, why did your mother go to the ER for meds when she could have called her dr and have him phone in an RX.?

Ask me how I feel about our taxpayer money being thrown away.

Answer 8

BILL THEM AND THEY WILL PAY



This is the type of corruption that is ruining health care and it has to stop or the system has to change.

Answer 9

People wonder why I am so adamant about no new taxes.