Hospital's unwritten payment promise shocks patient

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - When her insurance company refused to pay for a hospital procedure, Lauren Schemitz, a Palm Harbor woman, made arrangements to pay the bill on her own.  She never imagined what would happen next.

Cancer runs deep in Lauren Schemitz's family.  Her mom survived breast cancer. Her father lost his life when the disease struck his prostate.

So when Schemitz felt a lump in her breast she followed up with her doctor. That led to a series of tests including a $3,000 MRI at Mease Countryside.  “I knew it was going to be expensive, but when it is your health it does not really matter,” said Schemitz.

Insurance did not cover the MRI, but Schemitz claims Mease Countryside agreed to a payment plan of $100 to $200 a month.

Statements show that the patient made payments between July and September, but in November, the hospital sent a letter instead of a monthly statement.

Mease wanted their money, the entire balance -- $2,589 dollars -- paid in full. But Schemitz says she hit a dead end with the business office.

Mease Countryside would not discuss the case with ABC Action News, but they did offer pointers for patients who arrange for a payment plan.

--Be sure to receive a written letter of approval
--Make at least the minimum payment each month
--Keep notes on dates of conversations with the billing department

The hospital reviewed her account, then offered to reinstate the payment plan.  Schemitz says she now has written confirmation of her payment plan, something she did not have before.

If you are fighting a hospital bill, we can put you in touch with Florida's agency for Health Care Administration. Consumers can contact their complaint hotline at (888) 419-3456 to file a complaint or visit http://apps.ahca.myflorida.com/hcfc/