antelope valley emergency medical associates did not properly notify patient who was experiencing chest pain that the physicians were not participating blue cross providers. when i was able to get them paid at the rate for a participating provid westminster, California
when i took my wife into antelope valley hospital in november with chest pains, i had no way of knowing that the physicians at the hospital emergency room were not employees of antelope valley hospital.only several months later did i get a nasty surprise in the form of a bill in the amount of 625.00.after filing a grievance with my insurance company,i was able to get them to increase the payment to the maximum allowable expense for a participating blue cross provider.they paid an additional 375.00. i then hoped that this would satisfy the people at antelope valley emergency medical associates----but noooo,they sent me an additional balance bill for 250.00------which i begrudgingly paid.bottom line is Never use antelope valley hospital's emergency room-----unless you like getting nasty surprises!!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
I Can See It Now
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, May 04, 2010
The ambulance pulls up to the ER entrance at the nearest hospital, with his wife having a heart attack and the guy goes to the front desk and asks "Do you take blue cross"? Their reply "No sir". The guy gets on his phone, spends 30 minutes calling around and finds an ER, 45 minutes away that does take his insurance. He tells the ambulance driver to take them there. He'll save $250, but maybe not his wife. That's like the old joke. Do you really want to spend the extra money for a seat belt for your wife? That's why the government made them a requirement for all seats.
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
OK
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, May 04, 2010
Physicians are not employees - they have privileges and more than likely at more than one hospital. Physicians sign contracts/agreements to work in special areas of the hospital. It is not the Physicians fault that you got a bill - these are generated through admitting with certain codes then sent to the billing office to be processed.
If you have a problem with your bill review your EOB (explanation of benefits) that you receive after every doctor, dentist and hospital visit. And NO I do not work for this certain hospital but I do work for a company that owns hospitals
FYI Emergency Rooms are not cheap - Hospitals have the same amount of overhead costs as any business