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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Got swindled by a hospital...
#23653314 - 09/17/16 02:49 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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It happened awhile back but I have been slowly getting more annoyed about it.
Well here is what happened, as a kid I hurt my nose. The cartilage got bent to one side preventing me from using 1 nostril. As a kid especially this gave me a lot of issues when trying to sleep and with breathing comfortable in general. Well awhile back I started looking into procedures that could fix my breathing, made an appointment at a local hospital and went in.
I got a minor surgery to carve out the cartilage blocking my nostril which seemed to go fine. Well fast forward a few weeks later when my nose healed and I realized my breathing was not much if any better. Once my nose was healed completely I felt around and was disheartened to realize they didn't even finish the job... The basically carved out a little bit but didn't even remove the blockage in my nostril...
Well I wasn't sure what I could do about it and since I have partial insurance and only was supposed to pay a couple hundred $ I said whatever...
Fast forward another few weeks and they send at least 2-3 bills, for the surgery for the anesthesia and I think one other, totally over 1,000$...
My mother was going to pay for the surgery as I am a bit broke but after getting the bills she said fuck them and never paid.
After awhile she got a few legal documents about the hospital pressuring her to pay. I think they might have threatened a lawsuit even.
Anyways this whole situation has been pretty stressful. Been wondering if I have any recourse against the hospital for not doing their job and overcharging.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Ahab McBathsalts
OTD Windmill Administrator




Registered: 11/25/02
Posts: 35,109
Loc: Wind Turbine, AB
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That's a bit like not paying for a steak because it was overcooked after you ate the whole thing. I don't think the law is on your side.
-------------------- "Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. Everybody's going to die."
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Quote:
Ahab McBathsalts said: That's a bit like not paying for a steak because it was overcooked after you ate the whole thing. I don't think the law is on your side.
So if you bought a steak for 25$ and they bring out half a steak and charge you 100$ you would have no problem with it? Because that is a better comparison...
Except its 1,000$ not a steak... And its not like I got anything out of it, they are charging me for something they didn't really do.
I should add this hospital has 2 stars online and literally 50-75% 1 star reviews so clearly I am not the only one they have screwed over.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
Edited by musiclover420 (09/17/16 03:21 PM)
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Morel Guy
Stranger


Registered: 01/23/13
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The medical community is only responsible to malpractice and very expensive lawsuits. Some of the shady things they do like not explaining the risks of treatment.
-------------------- "in sterquiliniis invenitur in stercore invenitur" In filth it will be found in dung it will be found
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
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Quote:
musiclover420 said: The basically carved out a little bit but didn't even remove the blockage in my nostril...
Are you still having breathing problems? If you claim this, then it means they didn't really do their job. And I feel like you may be able to file a malpractice lawsuit or speak to somebody over at the billing department about the situation if you explain this to them.
Are you under 18? Just curious why they would be pressuring your mom to pay, since she's not legally responsible for it.
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ServantOfBaphomet
StarKitten's Boyfriend



Registered: 10/14/09
Posts: 2,986
Loc: αßπΣσµτΦΘΩδ∞
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: Crystal G]
#23653434 - 09/17/16 03:27 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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File for disability or medicaid, etc. if ur broke, they will pay for yur shit
-------------------- Do what thou Wilt shall be the Whole of the Law Love is the Law. Love under Will
Hail Eris! All Hail Discordia!! The Sovereign Peanut has Spoken!!
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: Crystal G]
#23653475 - 09/17/16 03:41 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Yes I can still barely breath out of my right nostril, I am considering emailing the hospital first to see what they say before trying other routes.
I am over 18 but my mom was the one who brought me into the hospital so they probably just had her info.
Would the malpractice thing be for the price difference or becouse they didn't complete the surgery?
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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SpiritShroom
Orca



Registered: 02/28/13
Posts: 325
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
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Ive dealt with this before. Unfortunately once you go so long without paying, you go on a list. My cities hospital has this one bitch, and all she does is go down the list, calling people, pressuring them to pay. I know its shady cause they always ask for your confirmation of name before disclosing hospital bills, and i never give out my name to random callers. So its not even really the hospital that handles it. Just some enforcer employee. And if you dodge that, then im sure it goes to law enforcement. What you need to do is not complain about the cost, complain surgery wasnt effective/didnt do what was asked. Make it seem as they didnt do their job. But yeah, like everyone else said. The hospital is side by side with law enforcement. Most hospitals truly legitamite suck. Half the reason because no employees want a lawsuit, and the other half is mostly scammers. Seriously. I got 7 stiches at the ER a month ago. And to get removed 10 days later had to pay for an appointment (probably another 1000$) just to snip stitches, which should be a completion of care. The employees never give a shit. Dont expect them to. Do not say you cant pay it. Say your care was done completely 100% wrong in every way..thats the only way you can win it/not have to pay.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: SpiritShroom]
#23653508 - 09/17/16 03:55 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Honestly I care less about not having to pay and more about the fact they overcharged for a job they didn't even really do. I would gladly pay the original price if they actually completed the job. But considering how it went last time I would rather not risk it honestly. Sucks that hospitals are so stingy/ greedy... Real fucking scummy, 1000$ to get stitches removed is criminal.
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Chakra Shock
Waxing Prophetic


Registered: 02/22/13
Posts: 2,514
Loc: The Enterprise
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Do you live in the U.S.? Sounds like something that would happen in the U.S. Lots of brand spanking new hospitals going up in the area where I'm from, about 5 miles away from each other. I can hear their cash registers chiming away already.
Really, the medical field is inundated with corruption in the U.S.. You've experienced it first hand, so it's not like I need to tell you this, but something big has got to change. There should be zero interest in profits as far as hospitals and medical companies are concerned. The only impetus for engaging with human beings as a healer is in order to heal.
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PatrickKn



Registered: 07/10/11
Posts: 20,564
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They are offsetting the cost of all the people like yourself who don't end up paying, on the people who don't pay because their bills are too high because the hospital offset the unpaid bills onto them because others weren't paying their bills because they were too high because they were offsetting the cost on those bills to make up the difference from those that didn't pay because their bills were too high.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: Chakra Shock]
#23653547 - 09/17/16 04:08 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
PatrickKn said: They are offsetting the cost of all the people like yourself who don't end up paying, on the people who don't pay because their bills are too high because the hospital offset the unpaid bills onto them because others weren't paying their bills because they were too high because they were offsetting the cost on those bills to make up the difference from those that didn't pay because their bills were too high.
That doesn't even make sense though... If they had given me an original price in between the two that included such fees I may have considered it.
But they told me one price then billed me another at least 2-3x as expensive. It can't be legal to just jack up the price becouse of other people not paying their jacked up prices...
Quote:
Chakra Shock said: Do you live in the U.S.? Sounds like something that would happen in the U.S. Lots of brand spanking new hospitals going up in the area where I'm from, about 5 miles away from each other. I can hear their cash registers chiming away already.
Really, the medical field is inundated with corruption in the U.S.. You've experienced it first hand, so it's not like I need to tell you this, but something big has got to change. There should be zero interest in profits as far as hospitals and medical companies are concerned. The only impetus for engaging with human beings as a healer is in order to heal.
Yeah sadly that was my first time going to a hospital as an adult and it was certainly enlightening. I was aware of the corruption somewhat but didn't expect that.
Hopefully alternative medicine stops being laughed at as much and people start realizing if they aren't willing to pay highway robbery fees for ineffective treatment then hospitals won't get away charging them such. In a perfect world any health related stuff would be kept away from capitalism, food water and medical treatment should all the the governments responsibility. If they spent less money on the military it would be possible too...
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
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Quote:
musiclover420 said: Yes I can still barely breath out of my right nostril, I am considering emailing the hospital first to see what they say before trying other routes.
I am over 18 but my mom was the one who brought me into the hospital so they probably just had her info.
Would the malpractice thing be for the price difference or becouse they didn't complete the surgery?
I don't know, you'd have to speak to an attorney. They wouldn't legally come after your mother though, unless she cosigned for you at the hospital, or unless you were under 18.
You should definitely try to get back in touch with the physician and see if he will do another nose job on you for free at least. Or work out some type of plan where they only bill insurance, but not you.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: Crystal G]
#23653587 - 09/17/16 04:25 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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She probably cosigned then, it was awhile back so I don't remember really. Almost positive I was 18 though as it wasn't too many years ago.
Sadly I am pretty sure I don't have the insurance any more as I was covered by my fathers work insurance but I believe it stopped once I turned 20.
Will see if I can get hold of the doctor though, I vaguely remember him being indian and having a funny last name like Goldberg I swear I not racist
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Morel Guy
Stranger


Registered: 01/23/13
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I know from experience they usually go to a collection agency. The agency gets a slice of what they recover. If you are working they can take you to court and collect from your paycheck. It damages credit to have it go to collection. The agency cannot take from social security. The medical community is rich and they plan on keeping it that way. Debt collectors suck
-------------------- "in sterquiliniis invenitur in stercore invenitur" In filth it will be found in dung it will be found
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Great Scott
Trigger Lover


Registered: 05/05/03
Posts: 19,797
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Go see a Chinese physician next time. They'll heal you by shooting chi up your ying yang.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Quote:
Ahab McBathsalts said: That's a bit like not paying for a steak because it was overcooked after you ate the whole thing. I don't think the law is on your side.
Here is what its really like:
You go in to buy a steak and start eating until before your halfway done they rush you out they door and then mail you a bill that's 4x what your meal cost...
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
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Quote:
musiclover420 said: I vaguely remember him being indian and having a funny last name like Goldberg I swear I not racist 
He's Indian with a Jewish name?
The truth is you should have gotten this taken care of immediately, not years and years later long after the bills are already in collections and you might be facing a lawsuit.
You will need medical proof that your nose is still blocked though, if you take legal routes. So you will need to go to to the doctor who can independently verify that your nose is still blocked.
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musiclover420
psychonaut



Registered: 11/06/12
Posts: 19,563
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Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
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Re: Got swindled by a hospital... [Re: Crystal G]
#23654362 - 09/17/16 10:37 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Yeah I realized I kind of screwed myself by taking so long. Part of that is becouse I was expecting a much smaller bill that my mom was going to take care of.
It also took me at least 2-4 weeks to even be able to tell my nose was still clogged and I have never been able to fully admit it to my mom becouse I feel bad 
I am going to talk to her about it though to get a better idea of the current situation and see what I can do. She may have just said fuck it and paid already
-------------------- Don't worry about me, I've got all that I need. And I'm singing my song to the sky You know how it feels, With the breeze of the sun in your eyes. Not minding that time's passing by I've got all and more, My smile, just as before. Is all that I carry with me I talk to myself, I need nobody else. I'm lost and I'm mine, yes I'm free
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
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Honestly, now that you've waited so long, I don't think the lawsuit is a viable option anymore. Usually there's a time period that you must file a lawsuit in, and it's usually between 90 days to 6 months after the incident. At least that's the case for small claims, this might be a lot costlier than small claims and might have different time limits.
You should do some research ASAP and see when the deadline is, but if this happened years ago, that time could very well have already passed.
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