On March, 30, 2015, I had a lumbar Fusion operation performed at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, in Buffalo, N.Y. I received a bill for $1,260.00, the portion that my insurance would not cover, in the ammount of $1,200.00. I rceived a statement on May 29, 2015, for the above ammount. I informed the lady in the billing department, on June 8th, that I had no way to pay, other than place the debt on my credit card, as I did not wish to be sued. At no time was the Patient Assistance Program mentioned, that would have paid my bill in full mentioned. Plus due to my income, free hospital services for the future. I continued to pay, than on May 5, I caaled the billing office and informed them I needed 2 more months to pay the other $60,00. My wife and I both are on S.S.D.I. We receive no financial assistance, save $16.00, per month for food and some energy assistance. On July 1, 2016. I received an unsigned form letter that I may qualify for the Assistance program, nice after I almost paid the whole balance. On July 6th, I sent in an apllication, with proof of income. To date no response in writing has been received. On July 6th and July 12th, I faxed the office of Catholic Health Systems, James Millard, C.E.O., asking for a refund, They were reluctant to put the issues in writing, On July 29th, I received a call from Kathy Calone, the patient advocate. As I had asked for a refund, I was told no one had ever made this request and that they would refund
$400.00. for all the 2016, payments, more or less they admitted they were wrong, yet $100.00 was missing. This was no settlement. There was talk that the statements on the bottom had the Patient Assistance program mentioned, yet when you call that number, you get the billing department and am told there is no actual person that manages that, but regular business staff. Canoli told me, they need not apply, but state that they could not pay. I did so at the beginning. On August 1, I received a call from Kathy, in the billing department, she stated, more or less the same. I have recordings of both conversations. Legal in N.Y. State, under the "One Party Recording Law." On August 5, 2016, I received a check for $400.00.
On September 12, I faxed Millards office with no response, stating I would take them to small claims court. No refunds for all monies that should have been refunded, nor acceptance for a Patient Assistance Program application. I have the fxes and voice recordings in my possession, admissable in court.
Catholic Health System Reviews
On March, 30, 2015, I had a lumbar Fusion operation performed at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, in Buffalo, N.Y. I received a bill for $1,260.00, the portion that my insurance would not cover, in the ammount of $1,200.00. I rceived a statement on May 29, 2015, for the above ammount. I informed the lady in the billing department, on June 8th, that I had no way to pay, other than place the debt on my credit card, as I did not wish to be sued. At no time was the Patient Assistance Program mentioned, that would have paid my bill in full mentioned. Plus due to my income, free hospital services for the future. I continued to pay, than on May 5, I caaled the billing office and informed them I needed 2 more months to pay the other $60,00. My wife and I both are on S.S.D.I. We receive no financial assistance, save $16.00, per month for food and some energy assistance. On July 1, 2016. I received an unsigned form letter that I may qualify for the Assistance program, nice after I almost paid the whole balance. On July 6th, I sent in an apllication, with proof of income. To date no response in writing has been received. On July 6th and July 12th, I faxed the office of Catholic Health Systems, James Millard, C.E.O., asking for a refund, They were reluctant to put the issues in writing, On July 29th, I received a call from Kathy Calone, the patient advocate. As I had asked for a refund, I was told no one had ever made this request and that they would refund
$400.00. for all the 2016, payments, more or less they admitted they were wrong, yet $100.00 was missing. This was no settlement. There was talk that the statements on the bottom had the Patient Assistance program mentioned, yet when you call that number, you get the billing department and am told there is no actual person that manages that, but regular business staff. Canoli told me, they need not apply, but state that they could not pay. I did so at the beginning. On August 1, I received a call from Kathy, in the billing department, she stated, more or less the same. I have recordings of both conversations. Legal in N.Y. State, under the "One Party Recording Law." On August 5, 2016, I received a check for $400.00.
On September 12, I faxed Millards office with no response, stating I would take them to small claims court. No refunds for all monies that should have been refunded, nor acceptance for a Patient Assistance Program application. I have the fxes and voice recordings in my possession, admissable in court.