SWEDISH MEDICAL GROUP Improper Billing and Collection Practices - Senior Citizen patients EDMONDS Washington

My 83 year old mother-in-law was repeatedly billed for medical services that were 100 percent covered by Medicare and Medicaid.  We contacted Swedish Medical Group in June 2013 when she received her first bill and provided them again with documentation that she has both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.  We were told they would take care of it and ensure both Medicare and Medicaid were properlty billed to ensure that she would not receive further collection letters.  She continued to receive collection letters and each time we either came into their office, wrote a letter to them, or call them and explain.  

She continued to receive several collection letters nearly every month up until December 2013.  I finally filed complaints with the State of Washington, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and also the Better Business Bureau.  We still haven't received any confirmation that the matter with the improper billing has been addressed.  Swedish Medical Group has been so difficult and recalcitrant that it seems as though this may be a standard business practice for them.  Many senior citizens probably feel it is easier to pay the bill than deal with the frustration.  

Believe me, dealing with them has been a major frustration.  I have spent well over $100 in postage, time on the phone, mileage to go to their office, and also time preparing notices to them and contacting other agencies.  We have yet to even receive any type of apology regarding this matter.  All of these issues with their collection practices have negatively impacted her health and she know is hesitant to go to the doctor even though she has health problems as many people in their 80's do.

i strongly suspect overbilling senior patients is a standard practice for this organization and probably many other hospitals.  I encourage any other persons affected by Swedish Medical Group's collection practices to also file a report.  Who knows, maybe if a class action could be filed, it would prevent them from their over-billing schemes.