I have no medical insurance, yet ocassionally have needed
emergency medical care, so I went to the local hospital closest to my home, Sheridan Community Hospital, Sheridan Michigan. One
instance was on 31 May 1997, when I had one of my complicated
migraine headaches which cause me to have strokes. I informed them when I got into an exam room that I had already taken a ton of fluids and compazine for nausea, that I just needed them to give me something strong enough to knock me right out for the duration of the headache. What they did? Gave me an I.V. of glucose water, and something for nausea!! Did it help? Not at all, since I had already done EXACTLY what they did, and I went right into stroke mode, including paralysis, for the rest of the night and next day, which was Memorial weekend and my Dr. was out of town. What did they try to charge me for this? $342.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another instance, at the same hospital, was a sunday and I was in excrutiating pain with an absessed tooth. I went there and the Dr. on call gave me an injection to numb the tooth, IN THE WRONG SIDE of my mouth!!!! What did they charge me for that? $303.75!
I am currently paying $50 to $100 per month on all uninsured
medical bills, but refuse to pay the amount of these 2 bills
combined, $646.75. I realize the hospitals need their money for
services rendered just as anyone else, but when they mess up, and severely overcharge on top of it, I cannot justify paying for that.
I will continue to pay off my medical bills, via the collection
agancy, which are almost paid now, but I will not pay the 646.75.
But the hospital will not deduct these two bills from my account. Knowing that I have no problem paying the "legitimate" ones, they will more than likely still have the agency take me to court for this amount after I pay off what I feel is right and fair.
Thank you in advance for your time in reading this, and even if you cannot help me, it helps a wee bit just to vent.
Sincerely,
Dani L. Hodson