Can I post negative stars? I went in to the ER before work on Feb 1, 2019 for stomach pains I figured were from having been constipated recently. The incompetent physician that saw me decided to do blood work and it came back with elevated troponin isotope I, which resulted in me being sent by ambulance to the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls (even though I stated I didn't feel that bad and didn't have anyone that would be able to pick me up from Sioux Falls), 2 days of missed work, and over $3500 in expenses (after insurance)...oh, and the Cardiologist immediately told me it wasn't my heart (But, while you are here...) and that they don't know why that isotope of Troponin was tested as it frequently gives false positives. After 24 hours in the hospital, a myriad of tests, I got the laxative I needed and was released. Fast forward to March 6, 2019...still haven't seen a bill (because I was planning to dispute it) and I receive a conference call with several representatives of Avera Marshall and the Physician that saw me...apparently the lab equipment was malfunctioning the day I was at the ER and the fail-safe to indicate a malfunction was broken...my troponin was fine. I was given an email contact to forward the related bills and expenses to, but they also put holds on accounts so bills didn't generate.... Fast forward again to April...I have now threatened to file a law suit as I am not get responses to how this will be resolved. Finally I am able to send copies of my insurance EOBs and expenses. The mailed copy I sent 4/5/19 "never arrived" so I hand delivered a copy on 4/23. That took 2 days to get to my contact in the hospital. She actually responded to an email of mine and stated she would go through the expenses that day or the next day. It's now been almost a week, I'm finally receiving bills and now collection calls on the bills. My contact told me she "expected answers last Friday but hasn't gotten them". At this point, I have emailed the CEO of Avera Marshall and if I don't have a resolution by Friday I'm filing a lawsuit.
Moral of this story - if I actually thought there was something wrong with me, I would drive to Sioux Falls or the Twin Cities for care and risk dying along the way instead of going to Avera Marshall.
Follow up... the CEO promptly has responded to my email and if she resolves this I may have to add a star.