Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/8/2004 8:25:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

I take Essential Enzymes by Source Naturals.

I just got back from my endoscopy. Not to bad, but since we've brought this

up, I think I'll try your Essential Enzymes. I have now accumulated a hyatil

hernia along with a small veracis. This is an improvement over the last one.

Nice nap, anyway.

Since we were discussing insurance earlier, here's an abbreviated story...our

tax dollars at work. Humana has been the insurance provider/facillitator for

Tricare Prime (supplement to Champus). That contract ran out as of June 30,

2004 and Humana was underbid by Healthnet.Federal. Since my treatment is

on-going, I called their Happy Hotline and was told that the old

authorization/referral number was for any care that had anything to do with HCV.

So I called

my civilian provider regave him the authorization number for he and the

hospital that the procedure was to be done at. This ocurred on Tuesday. Today

I

went in and found that while the info had been conveyed

Tricare/Healthnet.Federal

didn't know me from Adam's housecat. The hospital's insurance handler said

" Now, honey don't you worry about a thing, you and I have already been through

'Hellnet " before. This time I'll do the yelling and the writing, next time you

can do it. Meantime, I'm keeping a log for my next letter to my congressmen.

I sincerely hope they are treating our veterans with Desert Storm/Shield

Syndrome better than this. Most of them are too sick to fight insurance

companies. They've already fought for us, they shouldn't have to fight

bureaucrats,

too.

Okay, that ends that chapter in the new insurance saga. Can't wait to see

what the bill says.

Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/8/2004 8:25:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

I take Essential Enzymes by Source Naturals.

I just got back from my endoscopy. Not to bad, but since we've brought this

up, I think I'll try your Essential Enzymes. I have now accumulated a hyatil

hernia along with a small veracis. This is an improvement over the last one.

Nice nap, anyway.

Since we were discussing insurance earlier, here's an abbreviated story...our

tax dollars at work. Humana has been the insurance provider/facillitator for

Tricare Prime (supplement to Champus). That contract ran out as of June 30,

2004 and Humana was underbid by Healthnet.Federal. Since my treatment is

on-going, I called their Happy Hotline and was told that the old

authorization/referral number was for any care that had anything to do with HCV.

So I called

my civilian provider regave him the authorization number for he and the

hospital that the procedure was to be done at. This ocurred on Tuesday. Today

I

went in and found that while the info had been conveyed

Tricare/Healthnet.Federal

didn't know me from Adam's housecat. The hospital's insurance handler said

" Now, honey don't you worry about a thing, you and I have already been through

'Hellnet " before. This time I'll do the yelling and the writing, next time you

can do it. Meantime, I'm keeping a log for my next letter to my congressmen.

I sincerely hope they are treating our veterans with Desert Storm/Shield

Syndrome better than this. Most of them are too sick to fight insurance

companies. They've already fought for us, they shouldn't have to fight

bureaucrats,

too.

Okay, that ends that chapter in the new insurance saga. Can't wait to see

what the bill says.

Anne

[Guest guest]

Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

Jets

Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

- 27 Nonprofit Hospital Systems in 15 States Have Become Defendants in Class

Action Lawsuits since June 17, 2004 - OXFORD, Miss. -

PRNewswire - July 7

OXFORD, Miss., July 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Six new class action lawsuits have been filed today by uninsured patient

plaintiffs against nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals in Florida, Georgia,

Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. Each of the lawsuits charges the

respective defendant nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals with victimizing

the

uninsured plaintiff patients by failing to fulfill their obligations to provide

government required charity care in return for substantial tax exemptions. The

lawsuits charge the defendants with requiring their uninsured patients to pay

unfair and unreasonable health care prices that are far in excess of the

discounted amounts accepted by these same defendants from their insured

patients.

The class action lawsuits filed today by uninsured patient plaintiffs are: *

In Florida: Defendant: Lee Memorial Health Systems; United States District

Court for the Middle District of Florida, Ft. Myers Division; litigation filed

by

Law offices of Archie Lamb, LLC and Carlton & Carlton, Attorneys at Law;

Defendant: Florida Hospital Healthcare System, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital and

Adventist Health Systems; United States District Court for the Middle District

of Florida, Orlando Division; litigation filed by Law offices of Archie Lamb,

LLC and Carlton & Carlton, Attorneys at Law; * In Georgia: Defendant: The

Medical College of Georgia; United States District Court for the Southern

District

of Georgia, in Augusta, Georgia; litigation filed by & Strain, Vroon &

Crongeyer, LLP and Barrett Law Office; * In Mississippi: Defendant: St. Dominic

Health Services, Inc., St. Dominic- Memorial Hospital; United States

District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Division;

litigation filed by The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A., Barrett Law Office, Lieff

Cabraser

Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, L. Merideth, M.D., J.D., and Sonny Merideth,

Esq. * In New Jersey: Defendant: Saint Barnabas of Livingston, New Jersey;

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark;

litigation

filed by Bernstein, Liebhard & Lifshitz, LLP; and * In Oklahoma: Defendant:

Integris Health Systems, Inc.; United States District Court for the Western

District of Oklahoma; litigation filed by Law offices of Archie Lamb LLC.

With the filings of today's litigations, twenty-seven uninsured patient class

action lawsuits now have been brought against defendant nonprofit hospital

systems and hospitals in fifteen states across the country. These defendant

nonprofit hospital systems control approximately 250 hospitals in aggregate.

It is anticipated that, over the course of the litigations filed today, it

will be revealed that the six defendant nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals

have for years spent only a small percentage of their sizeable revenues on

charity care for the uninsured while reaping enormous cash windfalls from their

tax exempt status. The litigations make clear that, while the defendants have

long track records of providing significant discounts for healthcare to

patients who either are privately insured or use third party payors such as

Medicare

and Medicaid, they charge their uninsured patients gross or " sticker " price.

Consequently, the only patients who are required by the defendants to pay the

full excessive healthcare costs are the uninsured, the patient group that can

least afford such costs. Furthermore, the defendants often engage in predatory

and harassing collection tactics to force payment from the numerous uninsured

patients unable to pay these " sticker " prices, often hounding the patients

for years and, in numerous instances, forcing personal bankruptcies.

Despite their misconduct, the defendants along with the other twenty-one

nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals previously sued since June 17 and their

trade organization, the American Hospital Association ( " AHA " ), are engaged in

an ongoing attempt to mislead the public and governmental authorities with a

campaign of misinformation and misleading financial data regarding their

financial strength, financial needs, and their use of financial resources.

According to the 2003 annual report issued by Adventist Health System in

Winter Park, Florida, the Adventist system generated a profit of over $203

million

in 2003, and holds cash and investments in excess of $1.7 billion. Both the

profits and cash and investments of the Winter Park system have increased

considerably over the three-year period covered by the report published by

Adventist.

In some cases, large investment losses have obscured the fact that the

hospital itself is operating at a profit. St. Dominic Health of , MS

reported

investment losses of almost $31.3 million in 2002, while the hospital itself

reported a profit of over $7.2 million in the same period, according to IRS

filings. St. Dominic reported over $187 million in total cash and investments at

the end of 2002, according to returns filed with the IRS.

In New Jersey, Saint Barnabas was cited as operating four of the ten most

expensive hospitals in the state of New Jersey, according to a 2003 report

published by the Institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy. The hospitals

operated by Saint Barnabas ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th most expensive in the

state,

according to the study.

Named as a conspirator in the litigations filed today, as well as in the

other litigations filed against nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals since

June 17 is the AHA.

To learn more about that the class action lawsuits by uninsured patients

against nonprofit hospital systems and nonprofit hospitals, please visit

http://www.nfplitigation.com/

Contact: Scruggs The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A. (662) 281-1212

The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A.

Web site: http://www.nfplitigation.com/

[Guest guest]

Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

Jets

Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

- 27 Nonprofit Hospital Systems in 15 States Have Become Defendants in Class

Action Lawsuits since June 17, 2004 - OXFORD, Miss. -

PRNewswire - July 7

OXFORD, Miss., July 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Six new class action lawsuits have been filed today by uninsured patient

plaintiffs against nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals in Florida, Georgia,

Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. Each of the lawsuits charges the

respective defendant nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals with victimizing

the

uninsured plaintiff patients by failing to fulfill their obligations to provide

government required charity care in return for substantial tax exemptions. The

lawsuits charge the defendants with requiring their uninsured patients to pay

unfair and unreasonable health care prices that are far in excess of the

discounted amounts accepted by these same defendants from their insured

patients.

The class action lawsuits filed today by uninsured patient plaintiffs are: *

In Florida: Defendant: Lee Memorial Health Systems; United States District

Court for the Middle District of Florida, Ft. Myers Division; litigation filed

by

Law offices of Archie Lamb, LLC and Carlton & Carlton, Attorneys at Law;

Defendant: Florida Hospital Healthcare System, Inc., d/b/a Florida Hospital and

Adventist Health Systems; United States District Court for the Middle District

of Florida, Orlando Division; litigation filed by Law offices of Archie Lamb,

LLC and Carlton & Carlton, Attorneys at Law; * In Georgia: Defendant: The

Medical College of Georgia; United States District Court for the Southern

District

of Georgia, in Augusta, Georgia; litigation filed by & Strain, Vroon &

Crongeyer, LLP and Barrett Law Office; * In Mississippi: Defendant: St. Dominic

Health Services, Inc., St. Dominic- Memorial Hospital; United States

District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Division;

litigation filed by The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A., Barrett Law Office, Lieff

Cabraser

Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, L. Merideth, M.D., J.D., and Sonny Merideth,

Esq. * In New Jersey: Defendant: Saint Barnabas of Livingston, New Jersey;

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark;

litigation

filed by Bernstein, Liebhard & Lifshitz, LLP; and * In Oklahoma: Defendant:

Integris Health Systems, Inc.; United States District Court for the Western

District of Oklahoma; litigation filed by Law offices of Archie Lamb LLC.

With the filings of today's litigations, twenty-seven uninsured patient class

action lawsuits now have been brought against defendant nonprofit hospital

systems and hospitals in fifteen states across the country. These defendant

nonprofit hospital systems control approximately 250 hospitals in aggregate.

It is anticipated that, over the course of the litigations filed today, it

will be revealed that the six defendant nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals

have for years spent only a small percentage of their sizeable revenues on

charity care for the uninsured while reaping enormous cash windfalls from their

tax exempt status. The litigations make clear that, while the defendants have

long track records of providing significant discounts for healthcare to

patients who either are privately insured or use third party payors such as

Medicare

and Medicaid, they charge their uninsured patients gross or " sticker " price.

Consequently, the only patients who are required by the defendants to pay the

full excessive healthcare costs are the uninsured, the patient group that can

least afford such costs. Furthermore, the defendants often engage in predatory

and harassing collection tactics to force payment from the numerous uninsured

patients unable to pay these " sticker " prices, often hounding the patients

for years and, in numerous instances, forcing personal bankruptcies.

Despite their misconduct, the defendants along with the other twenty-one

nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals previously sued since June 17 and their

trade organization, the American Hospital Association ( " AHA " ), are engaged in

an ongoing attempt to mislead the public and governmental authorities with a

campaign of misinformation and misleading financial data regarding their

financial strength, financial needs, and their use of financial resources.

According to the 2003 annual report issued by Adventist Health System in

Winter Park, Florida, the Adventist system generated a profit of over $203

million

in 2003, and holds cash and investments in excess of $1.7 billion. Both the

profits and cash and investments of the Winter Park system have increased

considerably over the three-year period covered by the report published by

Adventist.

In some cases, large investment losses have obscured the fact that the

hospital itself is operating at a profit. St. Dominic Health of , MS

reported

investment losses of almost $31.3 million in 2002, while the hospital itself

reported a profit of over $7.2 million in the same period, according to IRS

filings. St. Dominic reported over $187 million in total cash and investments at

the end of 2002, according to returns filed with the IRS.

In New Jersey, Saint Barnabas was cited as operating four of the ten most

expensive hospitals in the state of New Jersey, according to a 2003 report

published by the Institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy. The hospitals

operated by Saint Barnabas ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th most expensive in the

state,

according to the study.

Named as a conspirator in the litigations filed today, as well as in the

other litigations filed against nonprofit hospital systems and hospitals since

June 17 is the AHA.

To learn more about that the class action lawsuits by uninsured patients

against nonprofit hospital systems and nonprofit hospitals, please visit

http://www.nfplitigation.com/

Contact: Scruggs The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A. (662) 281-1212

The Scruggs Law Firm, P.A.

Web site: http://www.nfplitigation.com/

[Guest guest]

Don't quite understand this...what is a nonprofit hospital? I go to the County

hospital which I would assume is nonprofit since services and prescriptions are

no charge...so charges for services doesn't seem like a nonprofit to me....

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

Jets

Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

[Guest guest]

Don't quite understand this...what is a nonprofit hospital? I go to the County

hospital which I would assume is nonprofit since services and prescriptions are

no charge...so charges for services doesn't seem like a nonprofit to me....

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

Jets

Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. It's a major referral

center, teaching facility for the university med school, it turns away no one

(to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

I assuming it's therefore " for profit " . I've been admitted there several

times in years past with no insurance and no ability to pay, but I was charged

and received (and expected to receive) threatening letters when I could not pay

the 1000's of dollars I incurred being a patient there.

Jets

In a message dated 7/9/2004 8:26:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,

tatezi@... writes:

> Don't quite understand this...what is a nonprofit hospital? I go to the

> County hospital which I would assume is nonprofit since services and

> prescriptions are no charge...so charges for services doesn't seem like a

nonprofit to

> me....

> Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy +

> Insurance

>

>

> Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

> far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

>

> Jets

>

> Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

> Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. It's a major referral

center, teaching facility for the university med school, it turns away no one

(to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

I assuming it's therefore " for profit " . I've been admitted there several

times in years past with no insurance and no ability to pay, but I was charged

and received (and expected to receive) threatening letters when I could not pay

the 1000's of dollars I incurred being a patient there.

Jets

In a message dated 7/9/2004 8:26:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,

tatezi@... writes:

> Don't quite understand this...what is a nonprofit hospital? I go to the

> County hospital which I would assume is nonprofit since services and

> prescriptions are no charge...so charges for services doesn't seem like a

nonprofit to

> me....

> Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy +

> Insurance

>

>

> Hi Group. Thought you might enjoy this. This is a " hmmm -- I wonder how

> far they'll get " ? (I hope far)!

>

> Jets

>

> Class Action Lawsuits by Uninsured Patients Brought Against Six More

> Nonprofit Hospital Systems Around the Country

>

[Guest guest]

AHA strikes again.............................I have heard that story before.

Another thing they do is over bill those who have insurance to cover the

cost of the uninsured, regardless of the level of government funding. Makes for

interesting accounting.

[Guest guest]

AHA strikes again.............................I have heard that story before.

Another thing they do is over bill those who have insurance to cover the

cost of the uninsured, regardless of the level of government funding. Makes for

interesting accounting.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 12:32:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jetsliver@... writes:

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. It's a major referral

center, teaching facility for the university med school, it turns away no

one (to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

I assuming it's therefore " for profit " . I've been admitted there several

times in years past with no insurance and no ability to pay, but I was

charged

and received (and expected to receive) threatening letters when I could not

pay

the 1000's of dollars I incurred being a patient there.

Jets

So what recourse did you take to get them off of your back?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 12:32:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jetsliver@... writes:

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. It's a major referral

center, teaching facility for the university med school, it turns away no

one (to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

I assuming it's therefore " for profit " . I've been admitted there several

times in years past with no insurance and no ability to pay, but I was

charged

and received (and expected to receive) threatening letters when I could not

pay

the 1000's of dollars I incurred being a patient there.

Jets

So what recourse did you take to get them off of your back?

[Guest guest]

Hi there. I didn't get them off my back, and I still owe them today (from

years ago). These particular hospital expenses were incurred when I had to be

hospitalized twice in 1999. I was still employed at that time but not

insured anymore through my employer because I had lost my health insurance

because

I had taken a full FMLA that year, had cut hours that year, wasn't working

full-time anymore, and therefore was no longer eligible for health insurance

through my employer. Feeling so sick and being taken under financially by

medical expenses, I finally threw in the towel and filed for disability. Being

newly unemployed, though, I didn't qualify for anything (public assistance)

when

I filed for disability because I still had money in the bank. I had to

deplete all of it before I could qualify for adult medicaid, and so I was a

" self

paying patient " for quite a while. I had quite a bit in state retirement

(was taxed and penalized severely for pulling it out), and in checking and

savings, but I had no choice but to live off these accounts while awaiting a

favorable ruling on SSD. I depleted it all within about a year (or less).

When

I could no longer pay doctors or the hospital, I started getting the letters,

the phone calls, they even called my ex employers (I had not worked in over

a year). It was awful (letter after letter and phone call after phone

call), but I considered it standard in an attempt to collect. I explained to

the

hospital that I could not pay anything anymore because I had no money, could

not work, was awaiting disability, and that I would pay them something once I

got my disability, which might take over a year or longer to get. I also

wrote a letter explaining my inability to pay and inability to work. They (or

collection agencies on their behalf) sent letters for years. The bills were

stamped with red ink " PAST DUE -- FAILURE TO SUBMIT PAYMENT WILL RESULT IN

(whatever it said -- it made me think I was going to get in BIG legal trouble).

I didn't know anything about collection attempts and inability to pay (or

what I should do about it " being turned over to collections " ). Eventually

(after I had explained myself to ths hospitals accounting department for month

on end), and after they turned me over to collections anyhow, I began throwing

every piece of mail that looked like it was from a collection agency in the

waste basket at the post office. When I received phone calls from the

collector, I began saying " she's not here right now " . I could count on a

phone

call every week being placed to me. Eventually (after I was her pet sitter

while she was out of town for the next month), I began saying " she doesn't live

here anymore " . That's how I got them off my back (threw letters away, lied,

and and hung up on them). I didn't know (at that time) that I could ask them to

NOT call me anymore (and that I could file a complaint if they did). And so

-- I dreaded the phone ringing, hated to answer it, and when I did (if it was

them) I lied in hopes they would actually believe " she doesn't live here

anymore " and would quit calling - lol.

The letters and phone calls eventually did stop, but it went on for a good

two years or more. It's been so long ago (since 1999, 2000, 2001) I don't

even remember anymore what I owed in the final analysis. It was thousands, and

even though I don't get anymore more letters or phone calls, I'm sure it's

still collectable. Those medical bills during the time I was uninsured and

wasn't considered medically disabled aren't going away, but I truly hope they

(the hospital) never collects. I lost everything, and I jumped through all the

hoops getting medical care. I paid what I could.

I finally got my SSD and Medicare. (took almost three years). Now? lol

-- I'm a doc's and hospital's dream come true. They love a Medicare patient

because they know exactly how to make an unnecessary procedure necessary so that

they can collect. It's a racket. I used to pay 10.00 per month towards the

20% Medicare didn't cover to all my docs, but I've recently learned that to

do so only helps disqualify me from further assistance with drug costs. It's

" unpaid medical expenses " that can be used to help me qualify for drug

assistance and/or food stamps. It sounds like an awful thing to do (don't pay

/ get

further assistance). But, that's how the system works for my particular

situation in this state. It seems very unfair for those who are working and

have

to put up with HMOs that aren't worth a flip, or for those who pay their own

health insurance premiums for coverage that doesn't cover procedures that are

recommended, or for those whose coverage is cancelled once a condition is

found out. There is one bill I get from a hematologist, a doc who I LOVED and

who I feel awful for not making an attempt to pay anymore (but I need the

debt). The receptionist would always write a personalized note in the ledger

(in very pretty hand-writing) " payment received $10.00. Thank you, and God

Bless You " . I keep wondering (now that I've recently decided to stop making

payment on the 20% I owe) if the personalized bill is going to change soon to

" Payment Overdue. Thank You, and God Bless You " .

Jets

In a message dated 7/9/2004 1:55:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,

AVansi7465@... writes:

> Jets

> So what recourse did you take to get them off of your back?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there. I didn't get them off my back, and I still owe them today (from

years ago). These particular hospital expenses were incurred when I had to be

hospitalized twice in 1999. I was still employed at that time but not

insured anymore through my employer because I had lost my health insurance

because

I had taken a full FMLA that year, had cut hours that year, wasn't working

full-time anymore, and therefore was no longer eligible for health insurance

through my employer. Feeling so sick and being taken under financially by

medical expenses, I finally threw in the towel and filed for disability. Being

newly unemployed, though, I didn't qualify for anything (public assistance)

when

I filed for disability because I still had money in the bank. I had to

deplete all of it before I could qualify for adult medicaid, and so I was a

" self

paying patient " for quite a while. I had quite a bit in state retirement

(was taxed and penalized severely for pulling it out), and in checking and

savings, but I had no choice but to live off these accounts while awaiting a

favorable ruling on SSD. I depleted it all within about a year (or less).

When

I could no longer pay doctors or the hospital, I started getting the letters,

the phone calls, they even called my ex employers (I had not worked in over

a year). It was awful (letter after letter and phone call after phone

call), but I considered it standard in an attempt to collect. I explained to

the

hospital that I could not pay anything anymore because I had no money, could

not work, was awaiting disability, and that I would pay them something once I

got my disability, which might take over a year or longer to get. I also

wrote a letter explaining my inability to pay and inability to work. They (or

collection agencies on their behalf) sent letters for years. The bills were

stamped with red ink " PAST DUE -- FAILURE TO SUBMIT PAYMENT WILL RESULT IN

(whatever it said -- it made me think I was going to get in BIG legal trouble).

I didn't know anything about collection attempts and inability to pay (or

what I should do about it " being turned over to collections " ). Eventually

(after I had explained myself to ths hospitals accounting department for month

on end), and after they turned me over to collections anyhow, I began throwing

every piece of mail that looked like it was from a collection agency in the

waste basket at the post office. When I received phone calls from the

collector, I began saying " she's not here right now " . I could count on a

phone

call every week being placed to me. Eventually (after I was her pet sitter

while she was out of town for the next month), I began saying " she doesn't live

here anymore " . That's how I got them off my back (threw letters away, lied,

and and hung up on them). I didn't know (at that time) that I could ask them to

NOT call me anymore (and that I could file a complaint if they did). And so

-- I dreaded the phone ringing, hated to answer it, and when I did (if it was

them) I lied in hopes they would actually believe " she doesn't live here

anymore " and would quit calling - lol.

The letters and phone calls eventually did stop, but it went on for a good

two years or more. It's been so long ago (since 1999, 2000, 2001) I don't

even remember anymore what I owed in the final analysis. It was thousands, and

even though I don't get anymore more letters or phone calls, I'm sure it's

still collectable. Those medical bills during the time I was uninsured and

wasn't considered medically disabled aren't going away, but I truly hope they

(the hospital) never collects. I lost everything, and I jumped through all the

hoops getting medical care. I paid what I could.

I finally got my SSD and Medicare. (took almost three years). Now? lol

-- I'm a doc's and hospital's dream come true. They love a Medicare patient

because they know exactly how to make an unnecessary procedure necessary so that

they can collect. It's a racket. I used to pay 10.00 per month towards the

20% Medicare didn't cover to all my docs, but I've recently learned that to

do so only helps disqualify me from further assistance with drug costs. It's

" unpaid medical expenses " that can be used to help me qualify for drug

assistance and/or food stamps. It sounds like an awful thing to do (don't pay

/ get

further assistance). But, that's how the system works for my particular

situation in this state. It seems very unfair for those who are working and

have

to put up with HMOs that aren't worth a flip, or for those who pay their own

health insurance premiums for coverage that doesn't cover procedures that are

recommended, or for those whose coverage is cancelled once a condition is

found out. There is one bill I get from a hematologist, a doc who I LOVED and

who I feel awful for not making an attempt to pay anymore (but I need the

debt). The receptionist would always write a personalized note in the ledger

(in very pretty hand-writing) " payment received $10.00. Thank you, and God

Bless You " . I keep wondering (now that I've recently decided to stop making

payment on the 20% I owe) if the personalized bill is going to change soon to

" Payment Overdue. Thank You, and God Bless You " .

Jets

In a message dated 7/9/2004 1:55:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,

AVansi7465@... writes:

> Jets

> So what recourse did you take to get them off of your back?

>

[Guest guest]

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal funds

*must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was called

and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for sure I

don't know how to research it.

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

[Guest guest]

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal funds

*must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was called

and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for sure I

don't know how to research it.

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

Hi Tatzei. I'm not too sure of the differences, either, in for profit and

not for profit,

but I think those operating as nonprofit get tax exemptions and are supposed

to provide a certain number of free services to those who can't pay. I guess

these class actions being brought are claiming some of these nonprofit

hospitals were making gains they weren't entitled to.

[Guest guest]

Every time I hear stories like this I think how blessed we are in Chicago to

have the County hospital. Ofcourse even with the services and prescriptions

being no charge, you pay in time...In the last year while in treatment I

probbably spent a month of time waiting.

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. ...it turns away no one (to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

[Guest guest]

Every time I hear stories like this I think how blessed we are in Chicago to

have the County hospital. Ofcourse even with the services and prescriptions

being no charge, you pay in time...In the last year while in treatment I

probbably spent a month of time waiting.

Re: enzymes for digestion -Endoscopy + Insurance

The hospital in this area is a " county " hospital. ...it turns away no one (to

my knowledge), and I think it charges everyone regardless of ability to pay.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 9:17:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jetsliver@... writes:

But, that's how the system works for my particular

situation in this state. It seems very unfair for those who are working and

have

to put up with HMOs that aren't worth a flip, or for those who pay their own

health insurance premiums for coverage that doesn't cover procedures that are

recommended, or for those whose coverage is cancelled once a condition is

found out. There is one bill I get from a hematologist, a doc who I LOVED

and

who I feel awful for not making an attempt to pay anymore (but I need the

debt). The receptionist would always write a personalized note in the

ledger

(in very pretty hand-writing) " payment received $10.00. Thank you, and God

Bless You " . I keep wondering (now that I've recently decided to stop making

payment on the 20% I owe) if the personalized bill is going to change soon

to

" Payment Overdue. Thank You, and God Bless You " .

Jets

Dear Jets,

In part, I've been there. I can't undo what you went through and I can't

undo what I went through or the mess others I know have gone through,

but..........here's what we should have done. Declare those assets that are

necessary to

living, ie retirement, savings, home, etc. and declare bankrupcy. You can do

that and not cash in any of those assets. SSD will still accept you if

there's any chance at all that you can be cured of what " ails " you. If you are

on

treatment, you should have automatically gotten disability, at least for the

duration and recovery period. Isn't it wonderful to know all this useful

information after the fact? I flat gave my business away. So much for all those

years. The only reason I lost my insurance was because the family practice

physician, I saw at the time turned in a suspected diagnosis of HIV rather than

HCV. Yea, I know, I should have sued her, except that she did have HIV, so, I

let that one go.

Life and all its little twists and turns.

Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 9:17:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jetsliver@... writes:

But, that's how the system works for my particular

situation in this state. It seems very unfair for those who are working and

have

to put up with HMOs that aren't worth a flip, or for those who pay their own

health insurance premiums for coverage that doesn't cover procedures that are

recommended, or for those whose coverage is cancelled once a condition is

found out. There is one bill I get from a hematologist, a doc who I LOVED

and

who I feel awful for not making an attempt to pay anymore (but I need the

debt). The receptionist would always write a personalized note in the

ledger

(in very pretty hand-writing) " payment received $10.00. Thank you, and God

Bless You " . I keep wondering (now that I've recently decided to stop making

payment on the 20% I owe) if the personalized bill is going to change soon

to

" Payment Overdue. Thank You, and God Bless You " .

Jets

Dear Jets,

In part, I've been there. I can't undo what you went through and I can't

undo what I went through or the mess others I know have gone through,

but..........here's what we should have done. Declare those assets that are

necessary to

living, ie retirement, savings, home, etc. and declare bankrupcy. You can do

that and not cash in any of those assets. SSD will still accept you if

there's any chance at all that you can be cured of what " ails " you. If you are

on

treatment, you should have automatically gotten disability, at least for the

duration and recovery period. Isn't it wonderful to know all this useful

information after the fact? I flat gave my business away. So much for all those

years. The only reason I lost my insurance was because the family practice

physician, I saw at the time turned in a suspected diagnosis of HIV rather than

HCV. Yea, I know, I should have sued her, except that she did have HIV, so, I

let that one go.

Life and all its little twists and turns.

Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 10:49:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal

funds *must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was

called and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for

sure

I don't know how to research it.

The way that law read was that if you accepted medicare and medicaid you had

to take a per centage of indigents. I don't know of a hospital that refuses

medicare or medicaid. I'll see if I can't find that one. It should be in my

filing cabinet somewhere. Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 10:49:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal

funds *must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was

called and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for

sure

I don't know how to research it.

The way that law read was that if you accepted medicare and medicaid you had

to take a per centage of indigents. I don't know of a hospital that refuses

medicare or medicaid. I'll see if I can't find that one. It should be in my

filing cabinet somewhere. Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 10:49:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal

funds *must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was

called and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for

sure

I don't know how to research it.

The way that law read was that if you accepted medicare and medicaid you had

to take a per centage of indigents. I don't know of a hospital that refuses

medicare or medicaid. I'll see if I can't find that one. It should be in my

filing cabinet somewhere. Anne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/2004 10:49:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tatezi@... writes:

You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal

funds *must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was

called and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for

sure

I don't know how to research it.

The way that law read was that if you accepted medicare and medicaid you had

to take a per centage of indigents. I don't know of a hospital that refuses

medicare or medicaid. I'll see if I can't find that one. It should be in my

filing cabinet somewhere. Anne

[Guest guest]

Hi Tatezi. I don't know how to research it, either, but it does interest me

(always has). In trying to research it, I found a recent article (from

April 2004) from the Charlotte Business Journal on our state (NC) " taking aim

at

nonprofit hospitals " .

http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2004/04/05/story3.html

Pitt County Memorial Hospital (the county hospital I have always been to),

and 29 other hospitals in eastern NC have merged with University Health Systems

of Eastern Carolina At the time PCMH merged (about 8 yrs ago), it was a

very controversial merger. The public sector was concerned (convinced) that

" privatizing " would result in denial of care to indigent people, and/or that the

ER would turn away indigent people. That has not been the case. They see

anyone who comes through the ER door, and they admit those who need admission

regardless of ability to pay (but I've never heard they see x number of

indigent patients, and they definitely attempt to collect). Compared to what

PCMH

was 8 years ago, it is now huge and keeps expanding by leaps and bounds. It's

top-notch, and I guess I should be very thankful, regardless of their

collection efforts, that I'm able to walk right in and be seen. I am thankful.

I

can't imagine being turned away from a hospital because of debt or inability to

pay. That has never happened to me. I've been turned away (when I had no

insurance) from primary care providers and other specialists, but I could always

go to the ER and be seen.

I don't know of the " nonprofit " hospitals in NC (or if there is such a

thing). I'm sure there is, but I could only find one (on-line). There seems

to

be plenty in SC. Beats me .

Have a great day, and congratulations on finishing treatment YA-HOOOO! I

know you are glad to be finished! Best, BEST wishes to you.

Jets

PS - Just for interest:

University Health Systems of Eastern NC

http://www.uhseast.com/body.cfm?id=202

Pitt County Memorial Hospital

http://www.uhseast.com/body.cfm?id=13

In a message dated 7/9/2004 10:49:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,

tatezi@... writes:

> You know, there is a federal law that any hospital that receives federal

> funds *must* accept x number of indigent patients. I used to know what it was

> called and since my dad left this earthwalk in '90, I can't ask him. And for

> sure I don't know how to research it.

>