ER/hospital billing for aggravated sexual assault

William_SRNA · Sep 7, 2005

While I understand your concern and certainly see your frustration the hospital still needs to be paid. They are a business just like anything else. As far as a victims fund some states do have those funds available although not sure if it is for medical or direct compensation. But, those funds are provided by the taxpayers and I believe we are way over taxed in this country. One remedy available is to sue the attacker granted you probably will not receive much compensation but that will take care of any future money this fool gets.

HEY! Need help -- what's your input on billing for patients for aggravated sexual assault? Daughter was abducted, pistol whipped and raped .... still receiving massive amounts of bills and threats that they're going to sue for payment. I think a law should be enacted that all bills go directly to victim's compensation. Keep the victim nameless and "address less". They would have to go to ER with police presence - get DNA, no fear of bills going to parents homes, etc.
Need your input PLEASE .... getting ready to go to congress. Need your pros and cons. We're already past $25,000 in bills associated with this tragedy. I'd lvoe your input! Thanks --

chollieduke · Sep 7, 2005

unfortunately these two serious rapists are still on the loose .... i'm looking at going after the money from victim's comp after insurance is taken care of.

rn/writer, RN · Sep 7, 2005

HEY! Need help -- what's your input on billing for patients for aggravated sexual assault? Daughter was abducted, pistol whipped and raped .... still receiving massive amounts of bills and threats that they're going to sue for payment. I think a law should be enacted that all bills go directly to victim's compensation. Keep the victim nameless and "address less". They would have to go to ER with police presence - get DNA, no fear of bills going to parents homes, etc.
Need your input PLEASE .... getting ready to go to congress. Need your pros and cons. We're already past $25,000 in bills associated with this tragedy. I'd lvoe your input! Thanks --

If your state, county or city has a victim's assistance program, by all means, make use of it. Our tax dollars go for many questionable things, but this isn't one of them. I'm glad there are such funds so that victims of crime have at least some redress.

In the meantime, make minimal payments and contact all three major credit reporting agencies (You should be able to Goggle the names) and add a note to your credit history. It used to be that medical bills were not considered in your credit score. I don't know if that is still the case. But if you have an explanation on record for the "slow pay" pattern, ir might count for something.

I'm so sorry that you and your daughter have gone through all of this. How old is she and how is she now? What happened to her assailant.

I'm admire you so much for taking your plight (and that of many others) to the legislature. Maybe something good can come out of this horrendous experience. You have my prayers and best wishes.

chip193 · Sep 7, 2005

HEY! Need help -- what's your input on billing for patients for aggravated sexual assault? Daughter was abducted, pistol whipped and raped .... still receiving massive amounts of bills and threats that they're going to sue for payment. I think a law should be enacted that all bills go directly to victim's compensation. Keep the victim nameless and "address less". They would have to go to ER with police presence - get DNA, no fear of bills going to parents homes, etc.
Need your input PLEASE .... getting ready to go to congress. Need your pros and cons. We're already past $25,000 in bills associated with this tragedy. I'd lvoe your input! Thanks --

The charge is paid for by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where I work. This avoids letting anyone at all know about the situation - including the insurer.

Of course, since I assume that you do not work in MA, this would not apply to you. However, look at the case from the hospital's perspective - they provided a service and cannot afford to provide it for free. If they did that for every "good" (as in good reason) case, they'd be out of cash and have to close the doors.

Chip

chollieduke · Sep 7, 2005

The charge is paid for by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where I work. This avoids letting anyone at all know about the situation - including the insurer.
Of course, since I assume that you do not work in MA, this would not apply to you. However, look at the case from the hospital's perspective - they provided a service and cannot afford to provide it for free. If they did that for every "good" (as in good reason) case, they'd be out of cash and have to close the doors.
Chip

Chip - This happened in Massachusetts! However, we did NOT receive an ER bill or a ER physician bill. However, it's the meds, infectious disease follow ups, ob/gyn follow ups, counseling, etc. It's the associated bills. I'm not looking for "freebies" - I'm looking for young women to remain confidential, have billing go to insurance (if they have it), then to Victim's Comp. The Attorney General's Office in Mass has followed up and has paid most of the bills. Thanks for your feedback!

mommatrauma, RN · Sep 7, 2005

We have a victim's comp program..at time of Registration patients are given the phone number to call the coordinator. She works with them to get all their hospital bills taken care of..

wooh, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

A route you might want to take in this particular case is going to the hospital's public relations person. Threatening a rape victim with lawsuits doesn't seem like something that they'd want going to the media...

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

I am just terribly sorry to hear about your daughter