Re:Surgery estimated cost $1,300. Then the Bill Came: $229,000
by TheOtherHobbes on Saturday May 21, 2022 @06:25PM
(#31462569)
IANAL, but I suspect it's deceptive if the changes were deliberately hidden and there is no notification of them.
For example - if someone agreed a contract, changes are made, and they were pressured to sign without reading the document.
If changes are flagged and/or highlighted it would stand a reasonable chance of being valid. Likewise if the patient sent a cover email/letter saying "This is my standard contract."
Because these exchanges are bureaucratic, it's quite likely the changes wouldn't be noted - or might possibly be automated.
It could be argued that's a failure of diligence by the hospital rather than fraud.
And it's also clearly unconscionable to expect patients to sign a literal blank check with an open amount without anything resembling a credible estimate. That's simply unenforceable.
All of this underlines why single-payer is the only viable system. Without it a few people get extremely rich with huge financial and social costs to everyone else - which is not freedom, it's forced tribute and subsidy.
For example - if someone agreed a contract, changes are made, and they were pressured to sign without reading the document.
If changes are flagged and/or highlighted it would stand a reasonable chance of being valid. Likewise if the patient sent a cover email/letter saying "This is my standard contract."
Because these exchanges are bureaucratic, it's quite likely the changes wouldn't be noted - or might possibly be automated.
It could be argued that's a failure of diligence by the hospital rather than fraud.
And it's also clearly unconscionable to expect patients to sign a literal blank check with an open amount without anything resembling a credible estimate. That's simply unenforceable.
All of this underlines why single-payer is the only viable system. Without it a few people get extremely rich with huge financial and social costs to everyone else - which is not freedom, it's forced tribute and subsidy.