Stanford Hospital & Clinic Billing Fraud and Misdiagnosis Stanford, California
My complaint is about medical billing from Stanford Hospital & Clinic, 300 Pasteur Drive, M/C 5603, Stanford, CA, 94305. In March 2003 I went to Stanford Hospital's E/R due to chest pain. Seven months earlier I thought I had been poisoned in a coffee shop and hadn't felt right since.
The emergency doctor, Dr. Gilbert, seemed like a good one and asked a few questions. Later an X-ray technician came in to take a film of my heart to check it out. A second doctor, Dr. Rogers, showed up with a nurse and she did something to my arm with a needle (blood draw?) and after about four hours of waiting, the first doctor sent me on my way with instructions to come back to the E/R if any pain returned.
Even though I wasn't feeling 100% better, the pain did stop. It seemed to me that the medical staff probably should have given me a full work up, including an echocardiogram, but I never received one. Three years went by and my attempts at medical care didn't seemed to work out.
I made an appointment with Cardiology at Stanford, seeking an echo and eventually got one in June 2006 when Dr. Stanley Rockson finally gave in. I don't know why he made me wait so long. When the bill arrived for the echocardiogram and treadmill test, the total was $9845.38. I was floored. I could not believe that this bill was so high.
I sought out a price comparison and found a textbook by authors Segen & Wade, The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests, 2nd Edition. The book shows that one can expect to pay $200 to $400 for Doppler echocardiography, $250 to $400 for a treadmill exercise test, and $40 for a complete blood count.
Then I figured that three office visits should cost about $150 each. The grand total comes to $1290. I was overbilled by $8555 and thought I should put the charges in dispute. I eventually ended up filing a complaint with the BBB in San Jose. I received a letter denying any refund or wrongdoing from Judy Lewit on March 4, 2010.
When I requested copies of the billing, she stated that my grandmother would have to call because her name was on some of the checks. My grandmother was told that Stanford no longer had copies of the data and was unable to help. Even though I have hired Resolve Healthcare Billing Advocacy LLC to help with the complaint, Stanford is dragging it's feet and still hasn't settled this.
I really am tired of complaining and waiting for my money. Isn't this billing fraud? Mail fraud? Medical malpractice? Misdiagnosed? Any suggestions?
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Momo
United StatesYou Actually Thought The BBB Was Going To Help You??
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, December 19, 2019
Apparently you know very little about the BBB and their BS or you've fallen for the BBB-BS campaign of DECEPTION. The BBB-BS is NOT part of ANY government or law enforcement body and that's a FACT. The BBB-BS is NOT the "business police".
The ONLY purpose of the BBB-BS is to SELL their PHONY "accreditations" and PHONY "ratings" to ANY business which wants to PAY them. The BBB is NOT your friend and they think you are so stupid you'll swallow hook, line and sinker every aspect of their well known con-game.
They refer to themselves as "the bureau" as a clear and direct attempt at deceiving the public into thinking they have some sort of law enforcement powers which they absolutely do not. The ONLY purpose of the BBB-BS is to SELL their phony ratings to any business which wants to pay the price.
I completely understand your argument about the pricing and I am not minimizing that. However, looking to the BBB with all their BS will not get you any resolution. The BBB is NOT your friend and they could care less about you!
Stacey
Texas,United States
Are you serious?
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, December 19, 2019
You went to the ER - that is expensive to begin with. What is the reason you did not call your PCP and make an appt??? What did your insurance get billed? What does the EOB explain about your visit?? Do you have insurance or did you expect to be compensated because you are uninsured?
NO this is not fraud, medical malpractice etc etc. YOU went to the ER, YOU got expensive testing and YOU allowed this to be done so YOU are responsible for the expenses incurred for these procedures. IF you fail to pay these bills you will be sent to collections and YOU will be once again responsible for these bills. Do you not get it??
When you fail to pay then the cost are passed down to others who pay their bills ( and have insurance) therefore the prices of these services go UP because YOU refused to pay for the treatment YOU received! ERs are not Ebay - they have set prices for treatments, THEY have to pay the Drs and Nurses as well as all staff and I could go on and on.
I know because I used to work for a company that owns hospitals and these entities do not accept "I will not pay you" just like the electric company, water company or any other company that has to pay their employees and bills as well so THANKS for screwing people who are truly needing help and now have to pay higher prices because people like you used an ER for a non emergency then stiff them.
debtexpert
United States of Americaare you kidding???
#6General Comment
Thu, September 09, 2010
I don't know where you got your prices, but you are WAY off. Do you know when you get these tests you pay for the test, rent of the area you are using, paying the doctor to give you the test, and the specialist who reads the test?? And hello, you got it done at Stanford?
Of course this is going to run into thousands. What makes you any different than anyone else who has to pay this.
As for the genius who told you just to ignore the bills and calls-- thats fine if you want to sue, and they will more than likely, distroy your credit and probably guarnish wages and tax return.
But if that makes you feel better fine. But check into it, that is a VERY normal price for what you had done and where you had it done.
Jim
Millbrook,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Have you paid yet?
#6General Comment
Wed, September 08, 2010
If not take their letter literally and don't "Communicate" (Don't send payment) That should rattle their cage and make them pay attention, if they scream, jut smile and say "You told me never to communicate,as it would be ignored".
They'll want the cash so they;ll scream "SUE' or send it to collections, Ignore collectors unless you get a summons, if so go to court and tell he judge exactly what happened AND that the refused ANY communications(As per the letter) that should pissoff the judge enough that he'll order them tti either speak about this rediculously high bill, or to void it completely.
Kevin S. Campbell
Fresno,California,
United States of America
Rejection Letter From Stanford
#6Author of original report
Wed, September 08, 2010
Stanford Hospital & Clinics has responded to my request for a refund, after faxing the ripoff report to CEO Martha Marsh, by turning me down. The letter from the Manager of Guest Services Linda Green stated "...we consider this case resolved. Any additional communications regarding these billing concerns will be ignored."
The letter is similar to one that I received from Bonnie Bialy, the Patient Financial Advocacy Manager, also rejecting my refund request. I was sorry that I ever tried to communicate with them after speaking to Judy Lewit about this issue. She assured me that everything would be worked out.
I will continue to exercise my constitutional right to free speech until Stanford Hospital & Clinics returns my money. Sincerely, Kevin.