If you are taken to a hospital against your wishes, should you be forced to pay the bills?

Question

While at a medical facility awaiting a pre-job physical, I experienced some extreme anxiety and nervousness. The nurse/attendant taking my blood pressure asked me if I wanted her to call an ambulance. I said "No, I don't have any money or insurance to pay for it". She decided to call anyway, which took me to a nearby hospital. After spending 3 hours in the emergency room being prodded and poked, they couldn't find anything wrong. I ended up walking out of the hospital and took public transportation back to the original facility. Now, the hospital and the ambulance company are expecting me to pay over $2000 in medical bills. At the time I was on food stamps and had been out of work for 4 months. I didn't start working until 3 weeks after the incident. I don't think I should have to pay for this bill that I didn't ask for and still can't afford to pay. What do you think?

Answer 1

You have the right to refuse medical attention.  If the nurse was a true nurse and not an "office staff" person taking information, she did not have the right to call an ambulance against your will.  If you have witnesses that heard you state that you did not want medical attention then you may have a case to take her to court as what she did was illegal.  However, since you did get in the ambulance when it arrived and you did accept medical treatment while at the hospital, you are liable for the charges.  If you had refused the ambulance and any other medical treatment you would not be liable.  You should have stated to each person that wanted to provide medical care to you that you did not want it.  Since you now have these bills and obviously can not afford to pay them all at once, I would suggest that you call the Finance Department at the hospital and request an appointment to discuss a payment plan.  Most hospitals will work with you if you contact them and explain the situation that you are in.  I know of one person that is sending a small amount of money each week for what I am sure feels like an eternity but if you show that you are willing to make any sort of payment plan at all they will work with you.  This usually works for most other types of business that you owe money to such as credit card companies, utility companies and landlords.  Good luck!

Answer 2

They didn't force you.  They cannot force you, you consented to go, thus you owe for their services.  This is true especially if you signed any papers at the hospital.   However, I believe you could state your case to the parties involved and get a major reduction of the bill, maybe even all of it.  They know they cannot collect money you don't have.

I can't help mentioning that medical costs are completely out of control.  $2000. for a ride in an ambulance and an outpatient visit to the hospital is ridiculous.  They are thieves.

Answer 3

You could have refused the ambulance ride once it arrived. No one can force you to get into an ambulance against your will unless you are unconscious. Because you did not refuse, you are liable.

Answer 4

If you got the care, you pay for it. It's like going to a restaurant, ordering food, eating it all, and then telling them you don't want to pay because you didn't get exactly what you ordered.

You don't work for free, so why should medical personnel?

Answer 5

Yes you are liable because you should have refused the ambulance and service when they arrived but you went anyway and then you probably signed all your papers at the hospital while you were there so you have no evidence against them. Try going to your local office where you can get some assistance to help you pay the bill there should be something you can do if you were unemployed or if not ask them to set up a payment plan.