US hospital sends invoice after over 1 year

blon

Hello,
my wife and I visited the US 1.5 years ago during which time she got the flu and needed treatment in a local hospital. She had travel insurance and, when asked, shared her insurance details with the staff at reception. They told her that they would take care of getting reimbursed by the insurance and that she did not have to do anything on her end. She never heard of her hospital visit again until recently, when the hospital suddenly sent her an invoice of the full treatment costs of about $1000 (for just an "emergency" antibiotics shot). Since it has been over a year, she can't make a claim with her travel insurance anymore. She was never given or sent any invoice before which she could have used to file a claim.

Anybody had similar experiences? Any suggestion how she can argue her case?

Thanks
Bob

Voyager2002

Simply write back and remind them that they dealt directly with the insurance company.

forgotmyname

The insurance was valid at the time of the incident. Other than issues of you failing to report it as per the terms if it included that? They should pay out.

GwylimT

Well they were clearly idiots if they gave her antibiotics for the flu!

Just send them your insurance details and note that you will not reply to further correspondence.

photome

Did you inform your insurance company at the time, if you did then there shouldnt be a problem.

let your insurance company deal with it

tomtontom

GwylimT wrote: »

Well they were clearly idiots if they gave her antibiotics for the flu!

Just send them your insurance details and note that you will not reply to further correspondence.

Or it wasn't flu at all

malkie76

GwylimT wrote: »

Well they were clearly idiots if they gave her antibiotics for the flu!

They didn't. They gave her antibiotics to prevent a potential secondary bacterial infection which can be fatal. It's common practice to do this, particulary in certain groups such as the elderly with known respiratory problems.

Not idiots at all.

But to the OP - your insurance covered you at the time, even if you no longer have a policy.

Tygermoth

One off shot of ABs would not help with a secondary.

A full course should be supplied and after confirmation of potential issues, not as a 'just in case'

Its seems their billing is as well thought through as their clinical practice.

But as the insurer was informed at the time and to save a back n forth i would just send a copy to the insurer with a covering letter or as an email attachment.

SnooksNJ

blon wrote: »

Hello,
my wife and I visited the US 1.5 years ago during which time she got the flu and needed treatment in a local hospital. She had travel insurance and, when asked, shared her insurance details with the staff at reception. They told her that they would take care of getting reimbursed by the insurance and that she did not have to do anything on her end. She never heard of her hospital visit again until recently, when the hospital suddenly sent her an invoice of the full treatment costs of about $1000 (for just an "emergency" antibiotics shot). Since it has been over a year, she can't make a claim with her travel insurance anymore. She was never given or sent any invoice before which she could have used to file a claim.

Anybody had similar experiences? Any suggestion how she can argue her case?

Thanks
Bob

The hospital probably thought you had healthcare through a US healthcare provider.
If you don't have property in the US they won't go after you. It's easier for them to write off the debt and let the US taxpayers pay for it.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

SnooksNJ wrote: »

...let the US taxpayers pay for it.

More likely the hospital's shareholders.

SnooksNJ

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

More likely the hospital's shareholders.

They could, but it's easier to write it off on their taxes.