RE: Fw: Page 4, Problem with Provider, St. Francis

December 1, 2008

Debbie, I think I would contact a lawyer. I would explain to the attorney

and ask what are his or her thots about it. Legal aid should be able to at

least give you an opinion. Maybe the attorney could just call them and it

would scare the hospital. Then sue for increase of health problems due to

stress. I know it is easier said than done but you could at least call a

lawyer.

Good luck and I will say some prayers for you.

Cooky

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of DEBBIE GIBSON

Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 8:44 PM

support group

Subject: rheumatic Fw: Page 4, Problem with Provider, St. Francis

----- ----- Original Message -----

Last page everyone...and yes, I did send this to each and everyone listed. I

have had enough in the past 13 months, I cannot take the hours on the phone

any longer. This has to be resolved...Hoping that in reading this email, it

will help forewarn any of you out there having Medicare as primary and a

secondary.

continued

In December of 2005, I was sent to Collection by St. Francis for a $10.86

bill, despite my having been told numerous times by St. Francis billing

office that this account was on hold and having told St. Francis that Anthem

was going to pay this bill. (I meet the deductible and out of pocket maximum

after my first treatment of the year.) Clearing up our credit and handling

this incident alone was very stressful and required many hours.

In summary, all of these reason's are why I was leery when presented with a

form to sign after years of treatment at St. Francis and why, I, despite

being assured that St. Francis was NOT going to bill me, still signed the

form St. Francis said was necessary in order to bill Medicare, still signed

the form every time with a disclaimer indicating I was NOT agreeing to pay

more than my out of pocket maximum and deductible from Anthem.

I have approximately 10 friends who have driven me to treatment and been

present when I am told I have to sign the form, it is the only way that the

hospital can bill Medicare. These friends have all seen me sign the form

with my amended disclaimer note. Each friend has stated they would be more

than willing to testify, in court, if need be, as to what they heard St.

Francis representatives tell me and what they have seen me write as I

amended the form before I signed it.

St. Francis accepts both Medicare and Anthem, yet this mess continues.

Please help, I can't continue to go through this any longer. My health is

deteriorating and stress exacerbates my disease.

Sincerely,

Deborah Gibson

DG/tm

pc: Tammy Neice: Patient Advocate Foundation

ellen Baker, State of Ohio Department of Insurance

, Indianapolis, Indiana Channel 6

Attorney General of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio

Link, ACLU of Ohio

Ross, 20/20

Krista Ramsey, Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio Senator Voinovich

Terri , St. Francis Hospital Service Liason

December 1, 2008

Cooky that is great advice. I haven't had success with lawyers but this case may

be one they can take. There are lawyers that specialize in fighting insurance

companies, hospitals, social security etc... And hopefully a letter alone from

them can do the trick to scare them into doing the right thing. If not, maybe

they can take the case on contingency. Good luck Debbie, please let us know how

it goes.

From: Cooky Stonkey <cookee1@...>

Subject: RE: rheumatic Fw: Page 4, Problem with Provider, St. Francis

rheumatic

Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 8:02 PM