Methodist Hospital of Sacramento

Review: I was given a billing estimate of 2,158.50 from this hospital and I qualify for financial aid at all other institutions. But time and time again this hospital has told me I do not qualify because I have incomplete financial aid applications. But I update all my information and give them everything they got. I believe they do this to keep me on their system. Their latest bill has me for an original balance of 4,062.25 and a final charge of 5,423.00. I have nothing to give them. I was enrolled in their hospital after a robbery. They have no knowledge of my stolen belongings.Desired Settlement: I would like them to quit harassing me and pretending I have submitted incomplete financial aid applications. Everything is roundabout and to top it off their doctors only asked me limited yes or no questions, were cold, uncaring about my health at the time, probably because they knew there was a crime but didn't realize it was me who was robbed. I'm depressed and still traumatized over the whole process and their threatening letters don't help me one bit.

Business

Response:

Emergency room patients are given an estimation of the basic charge for the visit. The registration staff is supposed to inform them of the discloser statement at the bottom of the form. If that didn’t occur I apologize. The Director of the department will review this concern with the staff. Besides the discussion, the patient is given a copy of the estimate worksheet. On this worksheet it states “The estimate does not include any diagnostic services that may have been provided such as: laboratory, radiology, pathology, etc.” It further states “Please understand that in many cases it is impossible to predict the final charges for the services as there are variables involved in your actual Emergency Room services such as: specific equipment, supplies and medications required; additional test required by your physician; and/or any unusual special care or unexpected conditions.”

In this visit the extra medications and tests totaled $2545. As a courtesy we decreased your bill at the time by 25% for uninsured patients. Any financial aid agreements you may have are county specific. Our records indicate that you are not a resident in this county. Therefore, those agreements do not carry over to our county. At the time of service you were given paperwork for government assistance. If you need more copies please let us know, however due to the length of time from your date or service they may not assist with past bills. To make arrangements for payments please contact our Patient Financial Services at ###-###-####.

Business

Response:

I have contacted our support services supervisor who helped me look into your case. According to our files you were sent charity care paperwork but it was denied due to incomplete return of needed items. The following is what is still required to complete this charity care paperwork:

1. The state/county decision letter for the denial/approval of [redacted].

2. Your social security unemployment award letter.

3. Your 2012 tax return. You sent your W-2 but we need the tax return.

Regarding your statement of having [redacted], we do have up to a year to go back and bill [redacted]. Our supervisor found that your social security number and identification number are not the same and we were unable to find records of you having [redacted]. To correct this you will need to contact your [redacted] worker and provide us with the appropriate [redacted] numbers.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Thank you for mediating. This has been a painful time and I appreciate your ability to mediate.

Methodist Hospital, forgot that cleaness is important to the outcome for patients full recovery...

Review: On 01/09/2015 I went to the emergency room and instead of being admitted I was first greeted by a woman that took basic information from me. She asked for some information concerning my insurance and told me that she was not registering me. At that point I asked her if I could get a basic idea of the charge for today's visit, explaining that I had a high delectable. She said she had no way of knowing that. I reiterated that I needed to know and she said that they would get me registered and not to worry as I had insurance. Again I explained to her that I knew I had insurance but wanted just to know what a basic cost for the visit would be. She would not help me, but later another girl took my blood pressure and I also asked her, and was denied any information. I was finally called in to see a doctor, and he spent a total of maybe five minutes with me and told me to go back to the waiting room. I waited for a long time and finally complained that I was not being allowed to register. When they finally paged me to the room for being registered the girl told me that my bill today was going to be $1500.00. I was outraged and said that I was leaving with no treatment, and she said that the basic doctor visit would be $500.00. I was later billed $1854.00 for the visit and with my deductible my charge would be $1500.00. This was to speak with a doctor for 5 minutes! This is price gouging and entrapment.Desired Settlement: I would like to be charged a fair price, considering that this hospital did NOTHING for me. I went to an urgent care at another hospital and the charge for just the doctor's visit was less that $300. With my history this could have been a life threatening issue, and the hospital has refused to be a part of actual care. Outrageous billing practices!

Business

Response:

I phoned Mr [redacted] at the day number that was left. We had a discussion about the ED charges and personnel. I will be following up with the Manager of the departments with the specific concerns and will be emailing him directly with the information as discussed. Thank you for the opportunity to address the concerns which can help to improve our processes and communications.

Review: After spending many hours on phone Laboratory Services failed to properly file insurance claim to recieve payment, I called at least 10 times.

On 8/30/2012 my wife recieved lab service at Methodist Hospital.

10/04/2012 recieved bill found out that they tried to bill using my name not my wife. Was told that every thing would be Ok.

11/5/2013 recieved bill called was told that Medcare did not have wife as retired bill rejected. Called Medacare had it fixed.

12/05/2012 recieved bill turns out they tried to bill insurance company first before medicare should bill medicare first then insurance.

01/04/2013 recieved past due notice called tried to get it straighten out. no luck

02/04/2013 delinquence notice, was told could not file because wife had a very old workmans comp. on file (that had nothing to do with current bill) and would I please contact workmans comp to clear this up I spent many hours optaining forms and I faxed document to billing office attention [redacted] as requested .

03/06/2013 anouther bill more phone calls

10/04/2013 letter from collection agency.

Methodist Hospitial Account Number WID KXXXXXXXX

I have spent huge number of hours trying to resolve this my other medical bill's are all paid with no problem.

Desired Settlement: Paid in full letter from Methodist addressing this problem.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

Contact Name and Title: [redacted] RN

Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX

Contact Email: [redacted]@dignityhealth.org

On behalf of Methodist Hospital I appologize for the frustrations you have had dealing with these issues. Even though the labs were drawn at Methodist Hospital the billing is done out of Stockton and I do not hear about any issues that don't come through the hospital or I would have intervened sooner to get this straightened out for you. I was able to have your account zero balanced as we did not meet the standard of care to resolve issues. In the future when you come to Methodist, we have signs posted for grievances and also have a web page. Please feel free to use those means to contact us for a timelier reponse. At Methodist Hospital we value our customers input and strive to give quality care. I hope the next time you or your family member uses our facility we will have all of your expectations met.

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)