HOSPITALS SHOULD NOT BILL PATIENTS FOR “NEVER EVENTS”

HOSPITALS SHOULD NOT BILL PATIENTS FOR “NEVER EVENTS”

HOSPITALS SHOULD NOT BILL PATIENTS FOR “NEVER EVENTS” 150 150 Dan Frith

By now most Americans have read that Medicare has decided it will not pay hospital bills for “Never Events,” which are defined as errors in medical care that are clearly identifiable, preventable, and serious in their consequences for patients, and indicate a real problem in the safety and credibility of a health care facility. Never Events include operating on the wrong patient, wrong site surgeries, or giving a patient incompatible blood.

Now, according to a recent article on MSNBC.com, hospitals in nearly half the states in the nation say they won’t bill patients for Never Events. Unfortunately, Virginia is not one of those states!

But why do we have to wait on the Virginia General Assembly to pass legislation? Why don’t our hospitals just agree to implement what is a fair and reasonable policy?

What is the policy at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Lewis-Gale Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County, Danville Regional Medical Center, Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Carilion New River Valley Hospital, Montgomery Regional Hospital, Wellmont Bristol Regional Hospital, Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital, Alleghany Regional Hospital, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, and Tazewell Community Hospital?

Come on hospitals….I would like to read your responses.

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About the author

Dan Frith

Dan Frith has over 25 years of experience representing individuals and families in cases of medical malpractice throughout Virginia. He has been named "Best Medical Malpractice Attorney" by Roanoker Magazine and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. To speak with Dan, contact him by email at dfrith@frithlawfirm.com.

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