Minggu, 03 Juni 2012

Mother's outrage after being billed for 'nursery care' of daughter who died MINUTES after being born

Mother's outrage after being billed for 'nursery care' of daughter who died MINUTES after being born

  • Kaylee Marie Sherman was born - and died - on November 7, 2011
  • Mother Melissa Sherman received bill for $862 for 'routine daily accomodation'
  • Hospital later reversed the charges with a letter offering 'condolences for your loss'

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 16:01 EST, 3 June 2012 | UPDATED: 20:41 EST, 3 June 2012

A grieving mother whose newborn died in her arms was charged almost $900 for her daughter's hospital care, despite the fact that she was only alive for a few seconds after birth.

Melissa Sherman had her baby, Kaylee Marie, in November 7 last year but at 23 weeks premature she was too small to survive.

Doctors at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, checked the tiny girl’s heart beat and wrapped her in a blanket before giving her to Sherman for a first, and last, cuddle.

Tragic: Melissa Sherman gave birth to her baby in November of last year and had time for one quick cuddle before the newborn died

Tragic: Melissa Sherman gave birth to her baby in November of last year and had time for one quick cuddle before the newborn died

'She was born, and we just held her,' Sherman told ABC15. 'We just held her. That's all we did,' she said. 

The new mother savored the few precious moments she had with her fragile daughter, who didn’t even open her eyes.

Kaylee died within minutes and Sherman was forced to leave the hospital with no baby.

Adding to her pain, Sherman was billed, not only for her own care, but for that of her dead baby, who she said received no medical attention.

Tiny: Baby Kaylee was 23 weeks premature and so small she fitted in the palms of her mother's hands

Tiny: Baby Kaylee was 23 weeks premature and so small she fitted in the palms of her mother's hands

Sherman was sent a Nursery Level 1 Care bill from the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre totaling $862 for ‘routine daily accommodation charges’.

Spokesperson Rainey Daye Holloway told the news channel that ‘hospitals have expenses whether a patient lives or dies’, confirming that the charges were accurate.

Sherman accepted the costs and was expecting to pay a small percentage, with the rest being covered by her health benefits plan, so she was shocked when the insurance company billed her for $896.73.

As it turned out, a pre-determined reimbursement arrangement between the company and medical centre meant that the hospital was reimbursed $6,270.60 for Kaylee’s care, sending Sherman’s out-of-pocket costs soaring, too.

Heartbreak: A reimbursement arrangement between the insurance company and medical centre meant that the hospital was reimbursed $6,270.60 for Kaylee's care, sending Sherman's out-of-pocket costs soaring

Heartbreak: A reimbursement arrangement between the insurance company and medical centre meant that the hospital was reimbursed $6,270.60 for Kaylee's care, sending Sherman's out-of-pocket costs soaring

The distraught mother was forced to re-live her daughter’s death over and over as she fought for months to have the charges rebuked.

'It's been hard because every time I call there I have to explain to them what happened,' she said. 'It's been really emotional.'

It wasn’t until she told Banner’s billing manager she was working with the media that any action was taken. 

Sherman’s charges were reversed and she was sent a letter from Larry Volkmar, Banner Good Samaritan's CEO.

Shocking: The Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center (pictured) sent Sherman a bill for her daughter's care

Shocking: The Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center (pictured) sent Sherman a bill for her daughter's care

‘I have recommended that we adjust the bill associated with your daughter's stay to zero as a courtesy to you and your family,’ he wrote.

‘We will remit all payments received toward this account to you and/or your insurance company respectively.

'Please accept my condolences for your loss.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

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They "let" me stay for 7 days after the birth of my daughter. In fact, I could have stayed longer in parent accommodation, for free, as my daughter was in NNICU. If we had received "bottom dollar" care, myself and my daughter would have died. She is currently receiving care under a doctor who is recognised across the world in his field. The cost of her stay in neonatal for 6 weeks was £42,000 My stay for 7 days was £3,500 and her birth cost £1,200. This would have crippled us financially and is certainly more than I've paid into the system. Anyone who claims the NHS is a sub standard healthcare system should spend some time in it rather than believing the nonsense spouted by politicians who's only concern is the insurance companies they are funded by.

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This is an absolute disgrace. America is supposed to be the wealthiest and yet it abuses even the youngest among its citizens for extra profit. America would have had a formalized system of paid universal healthcare were it not for the incredible money lust that consumes the politicians. The politicians prefer, every day of the week, to get lobby money from hospitals and drug makers; All while abusing the citizens by denying them affordable healthcare. Obama and the legislators could have quickly fixed this but they chose not to. America always has billions available to fight wars. There are never defense budget cuts. There ALWAYS seems to be a need to cut medical services to ailing citizens. American taxpayer money is eternally available to fund wars instead of providing universal healthcare to the citizens. It is a senseless situation and everyone suffers. It has to stop.

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this doesn't surprise me at all...if they touch you...you are billed for it...this happens all the time...but usually in a way that the parents insurance foots the entire bill...the only thing surprising about this is the fact that they got an actual bill. I know she is hurting but to say they did nothing is not true. They monitored the baby in utero...I highly doubt (unless she was stillborn) they did absolutely nothing...if that was true then she would have been able to sue them.

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Why do Brits think the NHS is free? Do you not understand that the tax money you give to the government is what pays for it all? You still pay for it.

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What is sad is when people say Republicans refuse health reform when you don't even realize what care YOU would be receiving under the new reform!! If the plan isn't good enough for the senators and house why is it good enough for the people! Maybe, you should stop and think? It is about the parties it is about our lives, our health! After 50 you wouldn't be able to get a transplant, mammograms start in 30s or 40's - do you realize how many young women get breast cancer? Maybe, you should take a look instead of just wanting something for nothing because they usually what you get in the end nothing and minimum care! Also, if they can't afford the bill, it gets written off, can apply for medicaid , or other programs! Yes, the healthcare needs to be revamp however it needs to be done right and fair to ALL citizens not just to the rich who will be able to afford the "better care"!

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no bill at end of NHS stay, but they don't "let" you stay, nor provide many needed medical advantages. You get the bottom dollar health care. Trust me, her $900 bill, is a lot less than the taxes you pay. And also, once she tells the hosp she cannot pay it will be written off. So stop it UK'ers. Your healthcare still sucks.

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It's her health care insurance nor the hospital. But I have to side with the hospital. They charge for services, it's simple. The article says the health insurance billed her the almost $900, nor the hospital. She should get better insurance. When I had my baby I was in the hospital 5 days before she was born and 2 days after. My out of pocket for the whole thing? $250. I'm sorry for her loss but not paying because you don't think you should have to isn't right.

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This is what happens when you let money-junkies run the hospitals.

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That is disgraceful ! Talk about adding insult to injury ! The poor woman was grieving ! Sick monsters

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And republicans refused Obama's so called socialist health reforms because??????????????????????? Sad truth is money has and always will be the root of all destruction.

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