ComplaintsforThe Medical Center of Southeast Texas, L.P.

• Initial Complaint

  08/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  In January of 2024 I had to have surgery at Medical Center of Southeast Texas. They required a $5000.00 payment before allowing the surgery. This was paid and all arrangements between the medical center and my insurance were completed. After having my surgery and the *** from the insurance company says my cost should be $4299.99, thus giving me a refund of $700.01. I have contacted the medical center and they confirm what the insurance company processed but they do not like the right off from the insurance company and thus will not release my refund. I have since got a notice that they are filing bankruptcy. When I call them about this they said don't worry it does not affect you and to do nothing. I asked about the refund and they said they would not release it until the insurance paid more. I would like my refund as I had completed all the required steps to do the surgery with the insurance company and the medical center. Their dispute should not place my funds in limbo.

  Business response

  08/12/2024

  I have asked our patient accounting department to look into this complaint and refund any overpaid amounts, if any, to the patient. Please be assured that The Medical Center of Southeast Texas will comply with all health insurance discounts and coordinate financial obligations in accordance with health insurance contracted discounts related to the patient's particular insurance payer and their parameters of patient responsibilities.

   

  *******************, President 
  

  The Medical Center of Southeast Texas

  Customer response

  08/19/2024

   
  Complaint: 22123036
  
  I am rejecting this response because:   This is the same type of response I have received from the Medical Center since I started this process in February.   I have checked my bank account for a credit for the past 7 days and have not received the refund.   Nor have I been contacted by the Medical Center regarding this issue.   Should the refund show up, I will adjust my response.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I visited the Center for the first time on 11/18/2022. I was directed to an ER room since the center is actually an ER room. The receptionist asked me what I was looking for. I told her a have a fever and coughing, so, I need to see a doctor. She asked for my ID and insurance. I told her before I see the doctor, I need know how much this visit will cost me before I contact my insurance. She said she will ask. She went back and apparently called my insurance or someone else, then, she came back to me and said. It will cost you $150. I asked again are there any other charges that I will be liable for? and she said only your medication if there are any. Before, I left the center, I paid $150 and went home. To my surprise. I received a bill for $235 from the center plus doctors fees + lab fees. I don't understand why. I tried to resolve the problem with them, but they asked me for proof the lady told me such things. I don't record my conversations, but my question to them is how did the receptionist know about the $150 payment. Therefore, I feel I was entrapped to see their doctor and misinformed and should not be stuck with the bill. If there was going to be extra charges and they did not know about it, they should have referred me to my insurance and simply said we don't know. FYI, I paid the owed amount in order not tarnish my credit report.

  Business response

  03/07/2023

  Dear BBB,

   

  Thank you for sharing complaint # ******** with us. Our investigation into this matter is complete. 

   

  Please see an outline of facts related to this complaint:

   

  • We do not record patients during the registration process and, therefore, are unable to determine exactly what payment details were discussed with complainant.
  • As part of the registration process, all patients sign a financial responsibility disclosure that includes the following attestation: 

  I understand that physician charges for medical and related professional services performed or supervised by a physician will be billed separately from hospital charges. I understand that insurance may not pay the full amount of all my charges, and I acknowledge that I am financially responsible and agree to pay my bill for non-covered services, as well as any deductibles, coinsurance or any amounts in excess of insurance benefits. If I am uninsured, I agree to assume full financial responsibility for payment of all charges.

   

  My signature below constitutes my acknowledgement that I have read and understand the above information, that any questions I have asked have been satisfactorily answered, and that I agree to this consent of treatment as described herein.

  • The complainant signed this disclosure before receiving treatment.
  • Charges to the complainant are correct and the complainant should contact their insurance if they do not agree with the amount applied to them.

   

  If the complainant has additional billing concerns, they may contact ******* billing at ************.

   

  Thank you.

  ***********************
  Community Liaison
  The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, A ******* Family Hospital
  *************************************************************************************************************
  O: ************  |  C: ************  |  F: ************
  www.medicalcentersetexas.org

  Customer response

  03/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 18830513
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The document they are referring to was given to me after I saw the doctor under the pretext their printer was not working before. Had they given the document to me before I saw the ******* that would have been all I needed not to see the doctor at their place. But, when she told me that I do not owe them anything except the $150 copay (she talked to her manager and the insurance to confirm that)  and it was before I saw the ******* ******* took her words face value. When, they made me sign the reference document, I assumed everything will be taken care of by them and the insurance based on her answer to me before I saw the doctor. It really feels like they entrapped me. They need to have the reference docs signed before you see the doctor and commit to the visit. Thank you.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received horrendous care at their Emergency Room in September of 2021. I showed up with severe chest pain and was given a grand total of 18 minutes of care and was forced to sit in the waiting room for nearly 5 hours. They billed me (and my insurance company) nearly $8000 and I was responsible for my $1850 deductible. I paid the deductible and have been continually harassed since then, with each caller claiming that I had a severely past due bill. But the bill was already paid. This has now been sent to a debt collector (AFTER THE DEBT HAS BEEN PAID) and I am now at risk of not being able to close on a new home with my wife. My account number is ************

  Business response

  04/07/2022

  This patient was contacted by our Revenue Cycle Manager and the issue was resolved on 3.16.2022.
  
   
  
  There is no further action needed related to this complaint.

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