Rebecca Inman
(Personal Information Removed)
Re: deceptive medical practices and billing
date: october 29
Ftc:
This correspondence is to bring to your attention that on October 17, I drove to the Johnson City, Tennessee Veterans Hospital for medical care, from Jefferson City, TN, after having upper abdominal pain and gas along my breast line. (a very long 2 hour drive) I followed the signs as directed and I went into the Cardiology Emergency room.
I provided the clerk my Veterans ID Card and stated I am seeking care as a Veteran. I was kept under the impression I was in a Veteran Hospital Emergency facility. And at no time was told that was not in a VA emergency room, nor was I re-directed to another Veterans Hospital Emergency Room.
After a few minutes I was rushed into an examining room, an iv was placed into my hand and electrodes were attached all over my chest and stomach. A chest x-ray was taken, and a Dr. Came in of which I believed to be a Veteran doctor. I explained I had been having pain along my breast line with a lot of gas and burping. He stated he wanted to do check my heart and blood pressure on a machine.
After about 20 minutes he returned and stated he needed to keep me overnight to complete a stress study. I stated I was not prepared to stay overnight for a study. He stated he would return again. After, another 30 minutes he returned and insisted that I stay overnight and asked me to consider staying overnight. I also asked him to look at my ankle injury. I stated I had received a silver sulfadine salve for an infected burn at the Decatur, GA Veteran Hospital Emergency Room, in September and needed more salve. He looked at my ankle injury and stated it was heeling fine. However, he never stated he was not a Veteran Hospital Dr. And left, and I never received the needed salve for my ankle injury.
A few minutes later another gentleman came into needing to process a form. He asked me if I were a veteran and seemed to be processing veteran paperwork and left.
After another 30 minutes the Dr. Returned insisting that I stay overnight. Again, I stated I could not and needed to leave. He stated I would have to sign a form stating I was leaving against his orders.By this time two hours had passed and I was told I was being released and signed a form. At no time was I informed I was not in the appropriate Veterans Hospital Medical Emergency Room as a Veteran seeking Veteran Medical care.
Today, I received a bill for $688.00 from the Johnson City Medical Center. I am reporting deceptive medical practices by this incident, as I was kept under the impression, I was in a Veterans Hospital Emergency room, obtaining care by a VA facility, expecting the charges to be covered by my Veterans Benefits.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Inman
ENCLOSURE: Billing Statement, Veteran ID Card
CC: SCAM REPORT
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