Can medical practices refuse treatment if you file on their bills?

[marcie26]

We plan to file on our medical bills, but I am 17 weeks pregnant and wonder if they can refuse to treat me? (I now have the medical card too if that makes any difference)

[Stilltheone]

We plan to file on our medical bills, but I am 17 weeks pregnant and wonder if they can refuse to treat me? (I now have the medical card too if that makes any difference)

From what I understand, the individual doctor can refuse to treat you. If you go to the ER and you bked a bill with them, I think it's highly unlikely that they'd refuse to treat you being an ER.

[AngelinaCat]

My husband was refused treatment of his hernia because we were honest and told the provider that we had filed BK. We also could not pay the co-pay that day because 'Hub's SS wouldn't come in until later in the week. Well, the doctor refused to se him, since he is affiliated with a private for-profit hospital and if we could not meet his co-pay, there was no way we could meet the hospital's co-pays. We were told that we either had to present ourselves at the emergency room if the hernia became a problem, or that our family doctor should schedule us with a hospital that will take 'indigents'. Ain't that nice!

When we told our family doctor all this, he said to get a hernia truss and wait until 'Hub's 65th b'day and is on Medicare. We were told: "Then they HAVE to take you." 'Hub will be 65 in about 9 months....

[liz417]

My husband was refused treatment of his hernia because we were honest and told the provider that we had filed BK. We also could not pay the co-pay that day because 'Hub's SS wouldn't come in until later in the week. Well, the doctor refused to se him, since he is affiliated with a private for-profit hospital and if we could not meet his co-pay, there was no way we could meet the hospital's co-pays. We were told that we either had to present ourselves at the emergency room if the hernia became a problem, or that our family doctor should schedule us with a hospital that will take 'indigents'. Ain't that nice!

When we told our family doctor all this, he said to get a hernia truss and wait until 'Hub's 65th b'day and is on Medicare. We were told: "Then they HAVE to take you." 'Hub will be 65 in about 9 months....

That's horrible! Best of Luck to your guys!

[JayJay]

wow. At times like that, I would prefer to live in Canada or other country that provides care to 100% of their population

[AngelinaCat]

Thanks Liz. We're making the best of it. So far he is doing okay with the truss.

[arkienurse]

wow. At times like that, I would prefer to live in Canada or other country that provides care to 100% of their population

yeah, maybe. But my understanding is that there is actually a waiting list for non-emergent surgery. IOW, Hub might still be waiting for his surgery as it isn't an emergency unless it is strangulated.

[Stilltheone]

wow. At times like that, I would prefer to live in Canada or other country that provides care to 100% of their population

I wouldn't...I have a friend that lives in Canada and their paycheck is 50% taxes to pay for their "free" healthcare.

He needed cancer treatment and had to be on the waiting list...4 months out.

[AngelinaCat]

I wouldn't...I have a friend that lives in Canada and their paycheck is 50% taxes to pay for their "free" healthcare.

He needed cancer treatment and had to be on the waiting list...4 months out.

'Hub is a prostate cancer survivor, 10-16-2004. While prostate cancer, as a general rule is slow delveloping, 'Hub's was not. If he had to be on a 4 month waiting list, I doubt he would be with us today.

[liz417]

wow. At times like that, I would prefer to live in Canada or other country that provides care to 100% of their population

Well said JayJay...with the US being one the the 'richest' countries, it just makes you wonder....okay, I'll lay off the Michael Moore videos (but they are only .99 to rent!) and that's all I can afford!

[pmed8]

*If you are in the US*


Can medical practices refuse treatment if you file on their bills?


Doctors in a private practice Yes


Hospital ER Absolutely not.

Under a federal law EMTALA a hospital must provide a patient with an appropriate medical screening, necessary stabilization and a transfer to an appropriate facility to care for whatever emergency condition might exist.

Under title H of the statue you will find this

(h) No delay in examination or treatment
A participating hospital may not delay provision of an appropriate medical screening examination required under subsection (a) of this section or further medical examination and treatment required under subsection (b) of this section in order to inquire about the individual’s method of payment or insurance status.

you can find the statute in its entirety at

http://www.emtala.com/law/index.html

pmed8

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

'Hub is a prostate cancer survivor, 10-16-2004. While prostate cancer, as a general rule is slow delveloping, 'Hub's was not. If he had to be on a 4 month waiting list, I doubt he would be with us today.

My husband is also a prostate cancer survivor - diagnosed in January 2005 and surgery in March 2005. He is doing very well so far. He had the surgery under civilian insurance, but it ran out and he found out he could go VA, so follow-up has not been as close as I wish, but he has had good treatment at the VA - in many ways better than civilian facilities.

[marcie26]

Thanks for the info!

[CH33 Paralegal]

Just because you include a debt in a 7 and its discharged, it doesn't mean you CAN'T pay it.

One thing you could try would be to communicate with the creditor and let them know that you have to file a 7, NOT BECAUSE OF THEM, and even though you have to list them, you still want to pay them what you owe.

A 7 discharge means that you are not responsible for the debt, but if you want to pay it, there is nothing that prevents you from doing so.

[my4devils]

Just because you include a debt in a 7 and its discharged, it doesn't mean you CAN'T pay it.

One thing you could try would be to communicate with the creditor and let them know that you have to file a 7, NOT BECAUSE OF THEM, and even though you have to list them, you still want to pay them what you owe.

A 7 discharge means that you are not responsible for the debt, but if you want to pay it, there is nothing that prevents you from doing so.

ITA! This is exactly what I did with my OB/GYN. We BK'd a few months after the birth of my last son and I wanted to keep a good standing with them as good OB's are difficult to find. I just paid off my balance with them and all is well. They were very understanding. Good Luck!