I was hospitalized in Emory Johns Creek Hospital. I had just taken a new job and was uninsured at the time. I told them from the beginning and over and over again to please hurry as I cannot afford a hospital nor the bill.
I have arrythmia and have been treated for this often before. I get a cardioversion and am off on my way. It is usually a matter of hours to one (1) day to get me back out.
These guys were telling me that there were no anaesthesists there anymore and they would only be available the next day (I wonder what they do in an emergency without an anaesthesist?). So, the next day, I see nobody. I eat breakfast, it gets noon, and finally a doctor comes in. He says, "oh you've eaten, then we will have to do the procedure tomorrow". Would've been nice if somebody could have told me about their plans. They giving me an infusion that was unnecessary. I asked about the cost and asked them to stop it as I cannot afford it. I had also, again and again, tried to call their attention to my uninsuredness and inability to pay a large bill. Nobody seemed to listen. After the cardioversion they even wanted to put me on a medication that costs twice as much as what I am paying for mine now. The words were, don't worry about the costs. Huh? Nice of them to say, they earn enough.
Anyway, after having been out of the hospital I started getting the bills. One from the cardiologists which is okay. And two from the hospital. One over $6000. I was told I might qualify for some sort of discount and did receive a letter from the Government Account Division for a Medical Eligibility Assistance Program. I was supposed to call her to schedule an appointment. I did... A whole month long! I left messages even after she had changed her number. No one ever called me back. The bills kept coming in with various balances due. I keep hearing different totals and do not even know what I actually owe them.
I wrote them a letter contesting the bill as I do not see the whole fault in my person that the bill got so high and that I was still waiting for the Assistance lady to get in touch with me. No answer!
I wrote the CFO of the hospital stating that I want the written guidelines and want to complete a written financial assistance application. No answer!
I called them and they told me my request for charity was denied. I asked, what request? I am trying to fill one out but never get the chance!
Now, today, they call me and ask me how I want to pay the whole bill. So again, I tell them I wrote and called and am still waiting for a reply to my appeal. They do not even listen! They keep asking can you pay 500 a month, how about 300, maybe 150, got a credit card? I told them I can pay ten bucks a month at the most. They say I will get a final notice and then it will go into collections. Fin. I was so mad it almost got my arythmia going again. Do they speak English? It was like talking to an automated voice. Some guy reading from a piece of paper.
I can only say, stay away from this hospital if you aren't able to pay the whole bill they give you right upfront (which is probably also not calculated correctly when I see how many different amounts I have here). This hospital is not for the average public person, just for rich people.
And furthermore, I had this procedure done overseas and they only needed one doctor to do it. Here they need 8 and they want to bill you for each and every one, if you can pay or not. They will harass you until you go nuts.
Mad bob
Norcross, Georgia
U.S.A.
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