I was misdiagnosed-should I pay my bill?

laurissa
laurissa Member Posts: 773
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Back in Sept, my cancer was treated as an infected hair follicle with anti biotics. No tests performed. Over 3 weeks it double in size under my armpit and was I given more antibiotics and thank God was sent to a surgeon to have it lanced. My surgeon then tested me for cancer. Anyway, I'm receving a bill for 2 co-pays for my "infected hair-follicle". Do I legally have to pay?
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Comments

  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #2
    Well, in April, when I went
    Well, in April, when I went to the ER, I was diagnosed with an inflamed gallbladder, with stones, and I was given pain meds and antibiotics for a UTI. I had my gallbladder removed on May 3rd~ as as most of you know, I didn't have anything wrong with my gallbladder afterall~ the pain was my liver, which it turns out , my BC has decided to travel to. Am I responsible for the ER costs as well as the surgery for gallbaldder which didn't need to be removed afterall? YES! The Drs acted with what my symptoms looked like, and I don't think they so much misdiagnosed me, as opposed to treating me for what seemed to be one thing, but them turned out to be another.

    I don't know if that is the same for you, but that's how I am seeing my situation, anyway!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #3
    chenheart said:

    Well, in April, when I went
    Well, in April, when I went to the ER, I was diagnosed with an inflamed gallbladder, with stones, and I was given pain meds and antibiotics for a UTI. I had my gallbladder removed on May 3rd~ as as most of you know, I didn't have anything wrong with my gallbladder afterall~ the pain was my liver, which it turns out , my BC has decided to travel to. Am I responsible for the ER costs as well as the surgery for gallbaldder which didn't need to be removed afterall? YES! The Drs acted with what my symptoms looked like, and I don't think they so much misdiagnosed me, as opposed to treating me for what seemed to be one thing, but them turned out to be another.

    I don't know if that is the same for you, but that's how I am seeing my situation, anyway!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    I would assume that you
    I would assume that you would have to pay Laurissa. They treated you for what they thought you had.

    You should call the Patient's Account department at your hospital where you were treated!


    They should be able to answer your questions better than we can.


    Good luck,


    Jan
  • lovs2decorate
    lovs2decorate Member Posts: 44
    #4
    I do not know if legally you
    I do not know if legally you have to pay but I sure as *#!$ would not!!!!!!!!!!

    I would write to the doctor's accounts receivable deptartment and very sweetly explain that they surely must have made a mistake sending you a bill for a misdiagnoses of an infected hair follicle when in fact it was CANCER. In exchage for their promptness in handling this oversite on their part, you will not bother them with the endless amount of paperwork as well as money they will spend retaining their own attorney, by not filing a malpractice case against them. I always like to thank them in advance for their time.

    I hope I didn't upset you with my reply. I'm sooooooo sick of the games that the billing dept. / insurance companies get away with.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #5
    If it were me I'd just pay
    If it were me I'd just pay it. Lots are misdiagnosed. I don't think that gives you an out. But I'm not a lawyer either but if you don't they might be able to send the bill to collection. If you really are serious about not paying, you would probably have to see a lawyer or at least talk to the billing supervisor. I don't know what they would do. I wasn't much help, was I?
  • GregStahl
    GregStahl Member Posts: 188
    #6
    Afraid you are
    If you dont pay they will turn you over to collections.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #7
    Laurissa since the doctor
    Laurissa since the doctor did see you and treat you I think he has the right to bill you even tho it was a misdiagnosis. He did render medical services. You could call his office and explain the situation and perhaps he'll waive the bill. I dont know what the legal ramifications would be. If the doctor wont write off the bill it might be cheaper and easier to pay it rather than taking legal steps. Just my thoughts.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
    Pay your bill
    Why shouldn't you pay your bill? You were treated for what was presented to them. Guess I shouldn't pay my co-pay for my surgeon because I got a large seroma after surgery. Or I shouldn't pay my co-pay for my chemo because I now have gall bladder sludge which wasn't there before chemo.

    Sorry - You were seen - You were treated - Pay your bill.
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    #9
    Don't listen to us
    I think the best advise, in this case, would be to not listen to any of us, we are not lawyers. But I am interested in the outcome.

    Bob
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #10
    Hubby said:

    Don't listen to us
    I think the best advise, in this case, would be to not listen to any of us, we are not lawyers. But I am interested in the outcome.

    Bob

    I personally would confront the situation - however, the bottom
    line is that YES .. we are all responsible for medical bill - whether or not the diagnois is correct.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #11
    VickiSam said:

    I personally would confront the situation - however, the bottom
    line is that YES .. we are all responsible for medical bill - whether or not the diagnois is correct.

    ChenHEART .. I am so sorry .. I can not believe that
    happened to you. Hence, the world we live in.

    God's speedy recovery for you!


    Vicki Sam
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #12
    VickiSam said:

    ChenHEART .. I am so sorry .. I can not believe that
    happened to you. Hence, the world we live in.

    God's speedy recovery for you!


    Vicki Sam

    I have to agree with most of
    I have to agree with most of the posts here, you will be liable for the bills, but, I am not an attorney either. But, you never know what could happen. Contact the hospital and discuss this with them calmly. They might lower the bill or something that could help you.

    And, if not, I think all hospitals have payment plans. Just pay what you can afford.

    They did treat you how they thought was right with your symptoms I am sure. It wasn't negligence I don't think.

    And, you don't want them to turn it over to a collections agency by just not paying.

    I am sorry though.


    Sue :)
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #13
    Laurissa
    I would think since
    Laurissa
    I would think since the dr treated you, even though it was negligent, you would still be responsible for the bill. However, im one that fights and try to win what i think is right. I would contact American Cancer Society and maybe get a representative or patient advocate and see if they can fight it for you. Maybe contact legal aid in your area or even call a lawyer because most have free consultants and you could maybe get an answer without having to pay. I actually called my state senator on a matter that had to do with something medical and he was awesome and got it settled for me. ACS i think and getting a patient advocate could really help. They have also been a blessing in helping me with financial issues as well. They are truely there for us. Good luck, i hope it works out for you.

    take care
    laura
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #14
    Rague said:

    Pay your bill
    Why shouldn't you pay your bill? You were treated for what was presented to them. Guess I shouldn't pay my co-pay for my surgeon because I got a large seroma after surgery. Or I shouldn't pay my co-pay for my chemo because I now have gall bladder sludge which wasn't there before chemo.

    Sorry - You were seen - You were treated - Pay your bill.

    Rague
    I dont know you personally, but i feel your comment was a bit sarcastic. She was asking for advice and dont think it was right to reply the way you did. Just my opinion of course and you are entitled to yours as well, but we arent here to be rude to our sisters. We are here to answer and help, not to be sarcastic. Just because you feel no matter what the situation was, doesnt mean someone else feels the same. Laurissa feels that she was not treated properly and it caused her condition to become worse because of the negligence. Ive had alot of side effects from chemo as well and im not complaining about paying my bills. We know that the poison could effect our whole body and cause complications. This is different situation and caused her tumor to grow larger because of the dr not treating her properly twice. In my opinion, the comment that sorry you were treated and seen, totally uncalled for. We are all supposed to support each other here. We all are fighters and sisters. I feel very sad about the being treated comment. I hope you are having a better day. Know that im not trying to get an enemy here. Im just expressing my opinion as you did. I also hope that it doesnt make you angry. I hope your day is better today.

    Take care
    Laura
  • mollymousemom
    mollymousemom Member Posts: 18
    #15
    Hey Laurissa
    have to comment on this.......you did say these were your copays, didn't you...if your dr participates with your insurance company, then they have a contract to charge you the copay...they really should have collected the copay before you were ever seen...unfortunately, since services were rendered, you are responsible for the copays...I work for a medical co & track insurance for different doctor's offices...I can understand where you are coming from, but it would cost you way more in legal fees than it would to pay the copay....Drs are human like everyone else & unfortunately, misdiagnosis are made...I'm sorry that you have to deal with this & hope you make a decision that is right for you....take care & let us know what you decide to do....Margaret
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #16
    lolad said:

    Laurissa
    I would think since
    Laurissa
    I would think since the dr treated you, even though it was negligent, you would still be responsible for the bill. However, im one that fights and try to win what i think is right. I would contact American Cancer Society and maybe get a representative or patient advocate and see if they can fight it for you. Maybe contact legal aid in your area or even call a lawyer because most have free consultants and you could maybe get an answer without having to pay. I actually called my state senator on a matter that had to do with something medical and he was awesome and got it settled for me. ACS i think and getting a patient advocate could really help. They have also been a blessing in helping me with financial issues as well. They are truely there for us. Good luck, i hope it works out for you.

    take care
    laura

    I'm sorry that the delay
    I'm sorry that the delay made your cancer worse: that's a real bummer, and I know that you have to be very frustrated by it. However, I would probably pay the co-pays, provided I could afford them. A battle over the payment would stress me out, and would probably be worse for me than paying, in the long run. And, I really don't want to have to pay an attorney...

    I had a similar circumstance a few years ago. I was being treated for an infected insect bite on my leg, and had several rounds of anti-biotic, but it ended up that I had a blood clot in my leg. My doctor had treated the most-likely reason for the pain in my leg (and there was a huge bug on my leg the day before the pain started), and since medicine is more of an art than a science, his first instinct was wrong. But, he had been my doctor for 15 - 20 years, and I knew that if I didn't feel better, he expected me to come back, so he could prescribe something else. I knew that if one diagnosis was wrong, he'd keep at it until he hit the right one, and he did.

    Joyce
  • MOrtiz0810
    MOrtiz0810 Member Posts: 41
    #17
    I had a similar situation
    I had a similar situation with delays in getting a diagnosis. I went to a Breast Center about 4 different times and the same radiologist kept telling me that "there is a small possibility that it might be a malignant tumor, but the chances were very slim" , and even went as far as suggesting that I can wait a few weeks for my next round of testing. To make a long story short, I was finally diagnosed with BC almost 5 months after my first mammogram and ultrasound. I had so much anger towards that facility, the Radiologist, and the Dr. who performed most of the testing, that I also had the initial reaction of not wanting to pay those medical bills because I felt that they cheated me out of an early diagnosis. But, I slowly came to the realization that my anger was not going to help me on that road to recovery, so I just let it go and paid the medical bills.

    I completely understand why you feel this way! My honest suggestion would be to pay the bill so it won't affect you in the long run, but write a letter to the Dr/facility expressing why you were displeased with the treatment and misdiagnosis. As a patient, you have every right to express your negative experience with that Dr/facility.

    I wish you all the best :)
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    #18
    Some med bills can be negotiated
    Just wanted to comment that my husband negotiated with the hospital where I had my mastectomy and they lowered our bills. The deal was, we agreed to pay the new amount with a credit card immediately.

    His negotiations on other medical bills did not result in lower bills, but they did agree to small monthly payments ($20 to $50).

    You could tell them that you intend to pay but, under the circumstances, the bills should be lowered. Maybe they'd work with you.
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    #19
    Christine Louise said:

    Some med bills can be negotiated
    Just wanted to comment that my husband negotiated with the hospital where I had my mastectomy and they lowered our bills. The deal was, we agreed to pay the new amount with a credit card immediately.

    His negotiations on other medical bills did not result in lower bills, but they did agree to small monthly payments ($20 to $50).

    You could tell them that you intend to pay but, under the circumstances, the bills should be lowered. Maybe they'd work with you.

    It's the principle; I think?
    I don't think she is objecting to the amount of the bills. Another $100 more or less is probably not the biggest deal, but having to pay for a misdiagnosis is kind of upsetting. Anyway, talking to a lawyer wouldn't be a crazy thing to do either, it just depends if the stress of it all will make you feel better or worse.

    Personally, I know that I have been in such a p*ssy mood lately, that I am going to lash out at some poor customer service rep very soon; sometimes it just relieves the tension.

    Bob
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #20
    lolad said:

    Laurissa
    I would think since
    Laurissa
    I would think since the dr treated you, even though it was negligent, you would still be responsible for the bill. However, im one that fights and try to win what i think is right. I would contact American Cancer Society and maybe get a representative or patient advocate and see if they can fight it for you. Maybe contact legal aid in your area or even call a lawyer because most have free consultants and you could maybe get an answer without having to pay. I actually called my state senator on a matter that had to do with something medical and he was awesome and got it settled for me. ACS i think and getting a patient advocate could really help. They have also been a blessing in helping me with financial issues as well. They are truely there for us. Good luck, i hope it works out for you.

    take care
    laura

    I agree with everyone that
    I agree with everyone that you probably are liable to pay. Talk to the hospital accounts, like someone wrote, see if they can help you!
  • FrankS
    FrankS Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2016 #21
    I'm not paying

    I have recently been misdignosed and I am at the moment going to send a dispute letter to the hospital.

    I'm very surprised by alot of these comments on here saying to just pay. For them people: Would you pay a mechanic to fix your car and it still has the same problems wrong with it? It just doesn't make sense to pay someone that didn't do their job in a correct manor.

    I think doctors need to be help accountable for not dignosing people correctly and I know everyone makes mistakes but how is anyone going to learn from them if they're never told or informed. Who knows how many people these doctors seen with these same symptoms and misdignosed cause the doctors thought they wern't doing anything wrong but in reality they were. A non payment here and there isn't going to hurt them. It isn't like they're being fired for a mistake here and there. I do agree with firing someone that makes alot of mistakes though.

    Firing or not firing isn't my job as being a patient and it should be left to the members of the board at the hospital. My job is to inform them if my illness was diganosised properly and that I am being put on a path to getting well as I shopuld be. 

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