Nine months after new federal law passed, BAMC not waiving surprise medical bills - WOAI
A local woman was paralyzed in a terrible accident and now her family’s finances are being crushed by the burden of a surprise medical bill.
It's the latest example of something we first exposed two years ago.
The federal government's crippling collection methods used on patients taken to Brooke Army Medical Center.
Despite being left in a wheelchair Lisa Collins continues working from home. But the federal government takes almost $1,400 from her paycheck each month because of a billing dispute between BAMC and her insurance company.
“It hurts my family when they're taking this amount of money away every month that wasn't expected," Collins told News 4.
In 2017 she suffered a spinal injury after falling from the second floor of her home in La Vernia. Like many civilian trauma patients, she was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center.
“They said 'she's a spinal cord injury, it's a trauma injury, we're air-lifing her to BAMC'. At no time were we given an option of where to go," says Collins.
As we've shown in previous reports, BAMC is not in any insurance networks and won't negotiate on charges. If an insurance carrier refuses to pay the entire amount, the bill goes to the U.S. Treasury Department, which garnishes the patient's paycheck, tax refunds, even social security payments.
In Lisa's case the bill was $103,894. Her insurance company, United Healthcare, paid $60,746. That left a balance of $43,148.
That amount has now grown, because of taxes and fees, to $69,009.
Lisa Collins is paying out of pocket for physical therapy to try and walk again but can't afford changes to make her home more accessible because of the paycheck garnishment.
“I mean they're basically a bully in my opinion. They go after us any avenue they can, where a hospital couldn't do that," says Collins.
Last January a new federal law went into effect that allows BAMC to waive surprise bills like Lisa's. But nine months later, BAMC tells us the federal government is still not following the new law.
"Until the formal process of updating current regulations and policies is complete, military treatment facilities (i.e. BAMC) are not authorized to waive fees and must follow existing regulations and policies."
So, Lisa and other patients remain on the hook.
After we reached out to them though, BAMC and United Healthcare both say they're taking another look a Lisa's bill.
Her insurance company told us: "We are looking into Ms. Collins’ outstanding medical bill and recent actions taken by this out-of-network facility and are working to resolve this outstanding claim."
We also contacted congressman Joaquin Castro who authored the amendment allowing BAMC to waive surprise bills. His office has also been in touch with Lisa and is trying to help.
As always, we'll let you know when and how her case is resolved.
source: https://news4sanantonio.com/news/trouble-shooters/nine-months-after-new-federal-law-passed-bamc-not-waiving-surprise-medical-bills
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