Home Health Bill
Dear Editor: Last week I received a bill for a home health visit in October for $329.47 (or $247.10 if paid promptly). This was the first visit my husband has had since the change in policy at SEARHC.
I knew there must be a mistake because SEARHC has stated in ads and articles in the paper that Medicare would still cover these visits as they had before. I called the number on the bill to ask about it. The nice man said that all I could do was call Medicare. I replied that Medicare has not changed, but SEARHC’s policies have. I asked if there was anyone that he could recommend for me to talk to, but all he had to give was a link to a complaint department at SEARHC.
I did fill out that complaint online, but have still not received a reply to that submission.
Until now I was sceptical about what was happening, but now the proof is in black-and-white and in my pocketbook.
The unfortunate consequences of these actions is that people will not seek care when they need it, and many times the problem will just get worse until it results in an ER visit or hospitalization.
This is not just an inconvenience, it is a negative effect to the health of people who are already dealing with more than any should ever have to face.
I can read all the platitudes and assurances that SEARHC can publish, but I cannot describe how this saddens me. Shame on SEARHC for placing patients into a terrible dilemma.
Connie LaPerriere, Sitka
