Escondido Palomar Pomerado Hospital Over Charged me and x-ray me when I didn’t ask or need it. Charged me almost 1500 for a 3 second diagnosis.
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Letter sent to Escondido Palomar Pomerado Hospital:
I am writing this letter contesting an obvious un-justified medical procedure (X-Ray) performed upon me resulting in an incorrect billing rate imposed as well as for the purposes of memorializing what has happened to me as described below.
On 08-13-09 at approx 8:30 AM I did enter the Emergency Services at Palomar Medical Center – Escondido as my wrist was swollen up and I had a bump developing on the inner side of my left hand wrist. I was concerned as to what was happening with me and decided I needed to see a doctor.
Upon arriving… I talked with two women at the front desk. They asked me several questions and I filled out the intake form. I told and showed them that I needed to have this bump checked out and that my hand was swollen and that a pharmacist (where I purchased an ace bandage) said I should get an x-ray but that I didn’t know what to do other then to see a doctor.
I waited about another half an hour when a technician called my name. He escorted me to an examining room. He asked me to sit and place my hand under the x-ray machine which I did and several x-rays were taken (which I never seen). From there, I was escorted out to another hallway waiting room and was asked to wait for a doctor.
There I waited about another 45 minutes when I was approached by an Physicians assistant I believe. She asked me what was the problem? I proceeded to tell her of my wrist, bump and all. She took a look at it. Rubbed her finger over my bump and said “ Oh….that’s a Ganglion Cyst” I said “You sure the x-rays didn’t show a broken bone? She said “you had x-rays?” I said “yes… they x-rayed my wrist” she said “wait one moment” she walked away for about 10 minutes or so (to look at the x-rays), came back and said…”I was right”…. No broken bones.. it’s a Cyst”
I didn’t say anything to the doctor but something wasn’t right about this whole x-ray thing. It became immediately apparent to me that I never needed the x-rays in the first place and that I had just been correctly diagnosed with a Cyst upon touch and sight. And that if a doctor had seen me initially like I asked… Once again…. I never would have needed the x-rays as it was easily diagnosed in person.
At Discharge I was billed 980.00 Dollars. Right then I expressed my concerns but got no where. The lady behind the counter said she is giving me a 40% discount and wanted 582.00 something right then and there. I was disturbed about the whole thing and said “bill me” told her I would follow up with billing later.
On 08-18-09 I called billing – No answer. On 08-20-09 I called billing and proceeded to explain what has happened with me. The lady said “Nevertheless the x-rays were taken and you owe this money and you are expected to pay” I said “Pay for a procedure that wasn’t necessary?” She said “that’s how we work it”. Something to that effect. She then said there was a 40% deduction as I have no medical insurance and was billing me the correct amount showing the 40% deduction and all and that I could pay total in two payments. We spoke for some time and I thanked her for the 40% deduction but still asked her to justify the high charges and x-ray charges and I believe she fell way short of doing this. I got no where with her and we ended the call.
On 08-21-09 I acquired my mail and noticed I received the bill. Opened it and it showed 970.00 DUE. No 40% deduction, no two payments schedule as I was told – nothing. Just a total of 970.00 unpaid balance. Copies included.
One other comment before I close. It is obvious I am writing this letter because I strongly believe that I was charged too much for the services I received. I very much appreciate the services provided and respect the medical community and don’t demean doctor’s practices. However, I am just trying to keep things real here. Were the x-rays necessary? I think the answer based on what happened to me is a strong no. Please consider my proposed payment of 264.00 Total for the visual diagnosis and services. This is a fair amount and quite frankly is a reasonable and real world amount.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
**************To date… they continue billing me and ignoring my letters. I have asked for an audit but they fail to respond to my certified letters. Under F.T.C. Laws… they have 90 days to resolve this matter. Doesn’t look like their going to make it. I already sent them 264.00 as a more reasonable amount. A more real world charge in this unreal world of hospital nightmares.
UPDATE: 05/09/2011 >> I have heard no word from the FTC regarding my complaint. Thanks a lot you over bloated redundant gov agency !!! I see that they “Hospital” placed a judgement against me in my credit bureau. I am contesting this as well. Also… the other day my friend was in in accident in Escondido totaled his Jeep and sustained some leg injury. He checked himself into the same hospital they kept him over night did some x-rays and apparently his bill is some 50,000 dollars for an over night stay. I will be writing a complete yet related story on his case as soon as I receive documentation to this.
http://www.blog-sandiego.com/2011/05/the-1-billion-dollar-hospital-in-escondido-ca/
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May 20th, 2011
chuckkjoness
