C
cherubee
Guest
What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? TENNESSEE
My husband took me to Stonecrest Medical Center Emergency Room in Nashville for extreme headache and neck pain, that had lasted over a period of days. We were without insurance. My insurance at work would become effective 7/04. Too little too late. Anyhow, after being there for several hours and being given several doses of narcotics which did not alleviate the pain in any way, they told us that we would probably be more comfortable at home. In other words, nothing was accomplished. They refused to give any pain relief prescriptions and told me to contact a neurosurgeon (they gave a specific one to contact) and sent us on our way to the checkout desk. They made us put down a sizable payment ($250.00) and agree to $125/mo payments which we told them would be very difficult for us to make those payments and that we would do the best we could. The check out process was already so lengthy and my husband didn't want to see me sitting in a chair in pain while he went through what we are now referring to as VEHICLE FINANCING with the check out clerk. We felt like we made this agreement under duress. I was always under the impression that in general with medical bills, as long as you are paying something, everything should be fine. I have forwarded my records of payment (these payments are $10-$25 - my husband is no longer employed) to the collection agency and they insist on telling me that the rules do not apply here. (I have been making timely but small payments to the hospital and they have been cashing them) They can cash my checks and still hold me to the original payment agreement and garnish my wages because they are a "privately held company". Is there anything we can do? Please advise. Another thing I would like to note, is that the next day after leaving the hospital, we called the neurosurgeon because my pain was unbearable and her office said she couldn’t see me until mid-June. They wouldn’t offer me any advice, or prescribe anything and refused to refer me to anyone except to say that I “could go back to the emergency room if I wanted”. During this illness, my hearing started to become impaired, and it has not improved… if anything, it may be worsening. Isn't that lovely?
My point is, you can only afford what you can afford, and situations change DAILY. It just doesn't seem right. ALSO- I have been informed that since I had no insurance at the time they could have helped me apply for emergency Tenncare. They did not offer this to me. Does anybody know anything about that? Thanks for your help/advice in advance.
My husband took me to Stonecrest Medical Center Emergency Room in Nashville for extreme headache and neck pain, that had lasted over a period of days. We were without insurance. My insurance at work would become effective 7/04. Too little too late. Anyhow, after being there for several hours and being given several doses of narcotics which did not alleviate the pain in any way, they told us that we would probably be more comfortable at home. In other words, nothing was accomplished. They refused to give any pain relief prescriptions and told me to contact a neurosurgeon (they gave a specific one to contact) and sent us on our way to the checkout desk. They made us put down a sizable payment ($250.00) and agree to $125/mo payments which we told them would be very difficult for us to make those payments and that we would do the best we could. The check out process was already so lengthy and my husband didn't want to see me sitting in a chair in pain while he went through what we are now referring to as VEHICLE FINANCING with the check out clerk. We felt like we made this agreement under duress. I was always under the impression that in general with medical bills, as long as you are paying something, everything should be fine. I have forwarded my records of payment (these payments are $10-$25 - my husband is no longer employed) to the collection agency and they insist on telling me that the rules do not apply here. (I have been making timely but small payments to the hospital and they have been cashing them) They can cash my checks and still hold me to the original payment agreement and garnish my wages because they are a "privately held company". Is there anything we can do? Please advise. Another thing I would like to note, is that the next day after leaving the hospital, we called the neurosurgeon because my pain was unbearable and her office said she couldn’t see me until mid-June. They wouldn’t offer me any advice, or prescribe anything and refused to refer me to anyone except to say that I “could go back to the emergency room if I wanted”. During this illness, my hearing started to become impaired, and it has not improved… if anything, it may be worsening. Isn't that lovely?
My point is, you can only afford what you can afford, and situations change DAILY. It just doesn't seem right. ALSO- I have been informed that since I had no insurance at the time they could have helped me apply for emergency Tenncare. They did not offer this to me. Does anybody know anything about that? Thanks for your help/advice in advance.