When They Don't Want To Pay

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I know none of us work in the business office, but we're often left to deal with EVERYTHING. I have a patient with NO skill. She was given her cut letter and a bill from the business office. She is refusing to pay (she has PLENTY of money) and has started calling us all sorts of horrible names. I'm trying to steer clear of her but she marched into the nurses' station today to complain about the social worker. When I told her she wasn't allowed behind the station, she began to complain about me.

What do all y'all do with someone like this? She sucks the life out of anyone she talks to.

[FromMNtoCA]

Ha! I have been dealing with a patients wife this last week who has just been terrible! She made me cry twice, but I didnt let her see it. When I offer her help or solve one of her concerns, she doesnt seem appreciative or grateful. Maybe there are some people we just cant help. What I have learned about these people is that they are sick. Or they are caring for someone who is sick and they may be burnt out. They probably wouldnt act like this under normal conditions. Or maybe they would. So, I pray for them. I pray for their serenity and mine. And when I see them, I do my darndest to remain professional. And behind closed doors I cry because my skin hasnt toughened up yet.

[hibiscus6, BSN]

They must have told her about the right to appeal when they gave her the cut letter, right? In my experience sometimes people don’t appeal but still complain. When this has happened at my place the social worker who is being complained about arranges a transfer to another social worker (I suppose they just make a trade) and they have settled down a little when the new one tells them the same as the old. Also sometimes the social workers offer (kindly) to assist them in finding a new facility, which sometimes helps people to remember why they want to be at our place. Unfortunately the nurse on an off shift has no power over any of this, and likely no knowledge of the situation. In that case they can’t do much except reiterate they are not involved in the pavement process at all and keep referring back to those who are.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

She has no basis but we told her about the appeal. It’s not that she CAN’T pay—- she just won’t.

PS. We only have one social worker

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

What is a 'cut letter'?

Personally I'd tell her to wind her neck in. But thats just me

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

A cut letter is an official notice that we are taking them off their Medicare benefits because they no longer have a skilled need.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

OUR BOM/ social worker meets with the family regularly and lays out the expectation of private payment and also starts getting the discharge plan ready. There is an expectation of some form of payment or they start working on applying for medical assistance when needed.

If they are refusing to pay, was a 30 day notice issued?

We cant forcibly evict though, so I guess they have us in a no win situation.

[Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Oh geez.

Personally if my job description is clinically based(and not case management) i would just blatantly make it known its not my job. I wouldnt even bat an eye, aint my business or concern. Im getting paid either way ?

[RN_All_the_Way]

Serving a thirty day notice seems to work for us. People suddenly are willing to write a check when they find they will soon have to find a new place to live. I hate it when social services and administration's job gets dumped on me.

[mander]

Smile... attempt to help... politely tell her she needs to calm down and tell her about discharging AMA. ?