Comments on: Chicago Tribune Editorial on “Medical Credit Scores”

By: Bookmarks about Medical

Bookmarks about Medical — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:00:18 +0000

[...] – bookmarked by 5 members originally found by xKunoichiHinatax on 2008-10-09 Chicago Tribune Editorial on “Medical Credit Scores” http://gruntdoc.com/2008/08/chicago-tribune-editorial-on-medical-credit-scores.html – bookmarked [...]

By: ATX Patient

ATX Patient — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:35:03 +0000

So recently I had a hospital stay where they billed insurance – they took care of their part – now its my turn.

Turned into a rather long stay and as such the bill is a little high.

Yet, when I called to set up the payment plan, I was told that I had to pay more or they would send me to the collections agency right away for non-payment. They did pressure me for a credit card or checking account number (not provided). I requested to speak with a supervisor and was informed that I could not and the call was ended.

Guess I am going to collections.

I understand they want their money – You fine folks want your money and I want to pay you too. However, I am not going to put the bill on a credit card and pay 3 + times the amount of the stay in interest.

I am going to pay what I can every month till my debit is paid.

Thats my experience (rant) on the issue.

Please continue to do the good work you Doc’s / RN’s do for everyone. Your not the billing department.

By: Jessica from blog.emergispace.com

Jessica from blog.emergispace.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:07:54 +0000

The guy is a physician, practicing in Illinois since 1978. I think he is a critical care doc. I don’t know what they’re doing in Illinois. n California i haven’t seen use of a credit score for any kind of pre-screening, yet! I do know many hospitals will not hesitate to send a collection agency after patients for non-payment. Many hospitals will ask for a credit card to guarantee payment during registration. They don’t mention the fact that patients can refuse, and that EMTALA madates screening with or without payment.
I would not be surprised if some hospitals started doing what retail stores do when they issue on the spot credit, and send the card and bill in the mail, using a credit check to verify addresses and insure future payment.

Jessica
http://www.blog.emergispace.com

By: TheNewGuy

TheNewGuy — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:57:21 +0000

This guy’s a physician?

He can’t be a practicing ER doc.

By: ERdocDFW

ERdocDFW — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:30:52 +0000

Have you considered contacting him to tell him how flawed his thinking is? People in the media, when the publish things like this, just spread ignorance to the masses.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:45:49 +0000

Is he talking about non-emergency care, outside of EMTALA? He mentions ED personnel, but maybe his objection is that ANY care might be denied to deadbeats.