You May Be One Serious Illness Away From Bankruptcy

In an effort to show the magnitude of people that are affected by today’s insurance climate in America, I have gathered a list of people who have had their insurance coverage revoked after getting sick, literally thrown out of hospitals, and/or been refused treatment due to their lack of “proper insurance”.

Terms such as Patient Dumping and being On Skid Row describe a context where patients are kicked out of the hospitals as the insurance companies run for the hills. Just this year two L.A hospitals were accused and prosecuted for dumping more than 150 patients, over a two year period, on the street to fend for themselves. A $1.6 million settlement was ultimately reached.

The reason why people get stuck with these huge medical bills is often based on an overbilling by the hospitals. Charging for surgical material, lab test etc. the hospitals seldom get reimbursed by the insurance companies, thus turning to the patient to pay up.

Linda Burdick – $60,000

Linda had insurance and used it for a back surgery under the belief that her policy would cover the hospital bills. The operation went along smoothly and the insurance company, as promised, paid its share. However, during recovery Burdick got a rather unpleasant surprise in the mail.

It is called a balance bill, which is the remaining cost for the hospital stay that the insurance company will not cover. The hospital has no alternative other than to send the bill directly to the patient. For Linda Burdick, her stay at the hospital ended up costing a staggering $60,000. Included in the bill were the six surgical screws used in her operation, each at $1750.

Julie Basem - $40,000

Part of AARP’s tv ad campiagn of real people and bankruptcy due to huge medical bills, Julie Basem was a Broadway dancer in NY when she injured her knee.

Her insurance policy did not cover the near $40,000 in medical bills and she was ultimately forced into personal bankruptcy.

Patsy Bates - $129,000

This Lakewood hairdresser had her health insurance policy canceled during chemo therapy treatment. Health Net being Bates insurance provider simply revoked her policy while she was still under treatment, leaving her to fight not only the battle against cancer but also to pay her huge medical bills.

Nigel Haskett - $300,000

When doing the right thing and preventing a man assaulting his wife in a McDonald’s restaurant, Nigel Haskett suffered several gunshots and a medical bill of over $300,000.

Not only does McDonald refuse to pay up, but with lack of proper insurance coverage, Haskett is left on his own to pick up the bill.

Kelbir Dhaliwal – Unknown amount

A Siberian tiger escapes in a San Fransisco Zoo. Three men are attacked, two of who survived, and are rushed to the hospital for critical treatment.

Left with astronomical medical costs, and insurance policies that in no way covers tiger attacks, the Dhaliwal brothers have now sued the city of San Francisco.

Criste Reimer - $800 per week

Criste Reimer suffered the worst fate as her husband Stanley Reimer, in a state of desperation, threw her off the balcony of their home in August 2007. Attention was instantly drawn to her medical bills, which exceeded well over what the couple could afford to pay.

With $700 to $800 in weekly medical costs to pay, Stanley Reimer, suffering from extreme delusion, saw no other option than to end the life of his wife. He was sentenced to life in prison.

In conclusion

While politicians are busy bailing out the big three with taxpayers’ money, insurance companies, when not handing out bonuses to CEO’s, seem devoted in finding pre-existing conditions to justify canceling insurance policies. Every year thousands of people get their insurance coverage revoked while their still sick, and left struggling with gigantic medical bills.

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