Avoid Texas Health Resouce Hospitals if possible

kimbo1216

I just wanted to share my experience.  I delivered at Presbyterian Rockwall.  My nurses were fine and my room was very nice and roomy.  Overall, my experience was fine.

However, that is not the problem.  The problem is after the fact. They are not "making health care human again."

Shortly after giving birth, they called asking how we planned to pay.  I explained we did not have the funds to pay straight out, and asked what my options were.  They said my only option was to apply for financial assistance (we did not qualify) or pay in full within 6 payments.  We did not have the money for that either (our bill, in total, was almost $5000).  

Backstory: Our insurance changed mid-pregnancy.  We ended up owing more than we would have before.  Over the summer, our ac broke and we spent a ton of money fixing that.  So basically, we were pretty strapped with a new baby and everything else that was going on.  So, if your first thought was that we should have been more prepared, I'm sorry.  Life happened and we just weren't.

Well, 5 months later, we had been making regular payments.  I thought I was working with my account rep to work things out (they kept hounding me).  She said our payments weren't enough.  Once again, she suggested I apply for financial assistance.  I filled it out.  We did not qualify.  I called her back several times.  I finally talked to her only to find out we did not qualify for assistance (I knew we wouldn't) and that our account had already been sent to collections and it was "out of her hands."

They did not even warn us before sending us to collections.   It had only been 5 months.  The majority of the entire bill had been paid by insurance.  We had been making regular monthly payments.  Now, we are doing everything we can to keep it off our our credit report.  If it goes on my credit, it will be there for 7 years.

I guess, my biggest problem is their slogan they use on all their commercials and their web site: "Making health care human again."  I'm sorry, but that is exactly the opposite of what they did for me.

swimrbride

They do have other options. We were in a similar situation, insurance change completely unexpected a month before DS was born. Then when he was 5 days old I had to have my appendix out. We had to finance through their credit company. It did suck because we had to pay some interest but it was the only option that was viable for us at the time. I would call and ask them about it.

shandars

I am really sorry you had to go through that, but it doesn't sound like the hospital was the problem, but the billing department. I agree with PP call and asked about what she did.

angellg007

I agree- it wasnt the hospital. The nurses sound like they did what they were supposed to and made "healthcare human again". I had my DD at a THR hospital and loved it.

chance13

I would agree that THR hospitals billing department is super annoying, having moved to TX from WI, I've never had a hospital call BEFORE I went in to have the baby asking for money.  I thought it was ridiculous, but after to talking to others, I think all hospitals around here do that.  I was quite annoyed that the billing person came into my recovery room asking for money..seriously?? Usually you are supposed to go thru insurance first then bill me.  I don't know about their payment plans, but that sounds really strange that they sent you to collections when you were making monthly payments...I don't believe they can do that if those were the terms you agreed upon.  Did you escalate it to a billing manager?  I'd write them a letter and do all you can to get that cleared on your credit.

kimbo1216

Yes ladies.  The real problem is not with the hospital itself, but the billing department.  However, it's all under THR ownership.  At this point, I do not want to go back to one if this is how they are going to treat people.

I have written a letter to higher ups and haven't heard anything back.  

chance13: There was no agreed upon payment.  We were just paying as much as we could each month.  The billing lady's words "though appreciated, it's not enough."  I told her we could not afford 6 even payments.  She suggested the FA form.  I knew we wouldn't qualify but filled it out anyway.  Before I even heard back about it, they had sent me to collections.

Right now we are trying to get it paid off before it goes on my credit report.  DH and I both have awesome credit and don't want it to get ruined by something like this.

NicoleOSU

That is very strange. Every hospital I've ever been to (not any of the THR hospitals) have just asked what I could pay and seemed happy with whatever I said as long as they were getting money. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. Sounds like they aren't really willing to do whatever they can to help.

babiesbabiesbabies

I think you are confusing healthcare and the business of a hospital... the care for your health was great therefore it has nothing to do with their slogan right?

sorry you had such an upsetting situation, but this is typical for any hospital

gisa886

I delivered my daughter at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton last year in November and it was nothing but pleasent. I'm sorry you had a poor experience with them, but they are a business when it comes down to it.

AWomanInLove

That's kinda crazy.  I had our baby at Texas Health Presby in Plano, and the only thing we paid before the baby was born was our $300 in fees.  They never asked anything about the rest of our bill.  We just got the bills in the mail.  

Mrs. Alice

Sorry about your bad experience.  I delivered at Presby Dallas and stayed there 5 weeks in antepartum and my babies stayed 5 weeks in the NICU until they were transferred closer to our home.  I haven't had any issues with the billing and highly recommend this hospital.  They were wonderful during our long time there.