I read with interest letters about Centura Mercy Hospital billing, as we have this problem, too. My wife has been receiving bills from Centura Mercy for $447.53 for services rendered in late July 2022. She is on Medicare with supplemental insurance and Mercy knows this.
She had major back surgery there in early July, followed by physical therapy. To our knowledge, Medicare and the supplement had covered all. Then in January 2023, she began receiving texts about this bill with no explanation. An explanation followed in the mail earlier this month, and it appears that the bill was for post-op therapy, which Medicare and the supplement should have paid. I contacted Medicare, and learned that it was paid. Medicare is sending me proof of payment.
Medicare gave the number for Colorado fraud. It also said “it looks like this matter is under investigation.”
Our U.S. Attorney needs to educate himself about this problem. I believe the law governing services under Medicare requires providers who accept Medicare patients to also accept what Medicare pays (excluding the deductible and co-pay for those without a supplemental insurance), even if it denies the claim – without billing the patient. And this is especially so if Medicare pays as well as the supplement.
One requirement should be to cease threatening billings for patients with Medicare and supplemental insurance. The other should be to restore the credit standing of a resident who shared a letter on Feb. 8, if she did have Medicare plus a supplement.
Richard H. Ruth
Durango
