ULPT: I lied about my identity in the ER, what should I do?
Posted by redpurplemix@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 393 comments
Basically, I’m in NY in the ER, currently having heart problems and I lied about my identity and address to not pay the medical bill. I heard that’s what you’re suppose to do when you can’t afford paying for medical bills. I have insurance but it’s not good. This hospital is really slow and understaffed. I’ve been waiting for an Echocardiography for about 2 days and there hasn’t been any word about it. I didn’t give a SSN but I gave a fake phone number but the registration lady caught on about my fake number so I had to give a phone number from one of those apps that generate a fake number for you. Now I’m scared they could charge me for fraud or something, she said she’s gonna see me again later when I’m discharged.
Here are my options: 1) Sneak out later tonight and go to another ER. 2) Pull through with my fake identity until I’m discharged. 3) Tell them my real name and insurance but I’d be admitting to fraud (definitely not an option).
What should I do?
sam99871@reddit
If they only have your fake name you may have trouble filling any prescriptions they give you.
lesbeaniebabies@reddit
I've only ever had to show ID to get Sudafed. Never for even like narcotic pain meds or stimulants.
sam99871@reddit
Neither have I, come to think of it. It turns out that some states require it and some states don’t. This document gives an overview of state laws (as of 2016, most recent I could find): https://namsdl.org/wp-content/uploads/States-that-Require-ID-Prior-to-Dispensin.pdf
Ambitious-Cake-9425@reddit
Same
SuccyMom@reddit
Good point!
ODBrunizz@reddit
I'm not a doctor but if you are having heart palpitations and you are more concerned about medical bills than you are about your own life it's pretty likely that this is anxiety based.
That's not me saying that you shouldn't seek treatment..... This is me telling you that you should at the very least seek treatment for your anxiety.
Let me be clear that it is fucked up that we live in a world and society where you should have to fear about not being able to pay your bills. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be concerned about your heart either.
But regardless of the diagnosis of your palpitations I think it's fair to say you have an anxiety concern. The fact that you are willing to sneak out of a hospital just so you don't have to pay the bills makes me feel like you are more concerned about the bills than your actual health. That's concerning.
W3R3Hamster@reddit
I took Metoprolol for heart issues but it also helped with anxiety "unofficially" I agreed wholeheartedly (lol) with this opinion.
ODBrunizz@reddit
I even meant to clarify "there's an anxiety component" not "it's probably just anxiety".
SpamLikely404@reddit
Nurse here. I don’t care who you say you are. Thats none of my business. I just want you to live and then go home. ER staff have seen it all, you’re not the first person to give a fake identity. No one cares. ☺️
FelineRoots21@reddit
Seconded, I don't give a shit, just be honest with me about your symptoms, medical history allergies and medications so I can treat you. You're far from the first person I've treated even today that ain't gonna pay, I didn't go into this job to give a fuck about bills
DblClickyourupvote@reddit
And you get paid regardless if they have insurance or not
SpamLikely404@reddit
Yes absolutely. The only stuff they need to be honest about is their health history, meds, allergies, and what they REALLY did to end up in the ER. 🤣 We know you didn’t trip and fall on that light bulb, sir.
alreadytaken88@reddit
I get your reference but I never understood why they ask in the first place. Why does it matter how that object happend to be where it is, to rule out a crime like rape?
SpamLikely404@reddit
Yes mainly to make sure they’re safe at home and no one did this to them, but if it was voluntary, to educate on safer alternatives. That doesn’t need to be done so much anymore, but before smart phones and internet everywhere, some people needed to be told, “hey there are things made specifically for this…and they aren’t made of glass.”
88ryder88@reddit
One in a million, Doc. One in a million!!
ilikethejuices@reddit
Love ur work!!
junkytrunks@reddit
Is this a TomCruise alt account?
dahecksman@reddit
Hero <3 thank u all
redpurplemix@reddit (OP)
Has there been anyone that went back and changed their name and gave their insurance? I am planning on doing that.
chatminteresse@reddit
My dude, I know a bonafide hypochondriac who repeatedly chooses to go to the ER instead of the doctor or urgent care. This person has insurance, but never pays the medical bill from the hospital. They just keep going back to the same hospital and not paying every time.
You won’t even get blacklisted if you use your insurance and then don’t pay.
Create a Google voice number for free and update the number with the hospital so you can contact them and receive contact, but from there, stick with your pseudonym bc it’s more trouble to be honest now. Nobody cares except the person confirming appointments
Former_PFC@reddit
You won't be blacklisted from the ER for sure, since they legally can't do that. However, if you are a known financial risk, you might be required to pay up front for a follow-up or diagnostic test, or even be blacklisted from other services the hospital offers because they aren't obligated to accept you at that point.
billybobdoleington@reddit
This is mostly right.
Legally we have to save a life if one shows up even if they are "blacklisted."
But if one threatens to, say, shoot up the place then the hospital can flag that person. Im fairly certain we'd still have to treat them, but it would be under police guard and the minute it's determined their life is not in immediate danger the hospital can have them removed. They would not be able to be seen for, say, a stubbed toe.
It's important to remember that while one is entitled to care in this country, one is not entitled to whatever care they want at the location they want when they want it. The amount of "I'M THE MAIN CHARACTER" I deal with on a weekly basis would stagger most folks.
But back to the original point: I'll be honest and admit I've only run into that shooting scenario once and the pt ran out before security could figure out what happened. We were on something of high alert for the next shift or two, with his picture stapled to walls and what not. Other then that nothing really happened.
I don't include bomb threats in this situation though, dealt with TONS of those while working at the VA, to the point where I'm numb to it. Don't think they look onto those that deeply. Just lock things down, check the area, and then back to business.
Ordinaryacts@reddit
Nurse here. Generally if the services cannot be billed (which will happen in your case) your bill will be lumped in with many others and written off.
Trucker5270@reddit
And we the citizens will have to pay for it. Thank you
MaeQueenofFae@reddit
No. If there is an ER, that means the hospital has an active Not For Profit status. In order to maintain that status, they must offer, and provide Charity Care to patients who are unable to pay for their health care treatment. This doesn’t come out of ‘Joe Citizens’ pocket, but rather out of their profit base, meaning they can take a massive tax cut. (If you are looking to kvetch, take a gander at the insurance scams. That’s a separate post.)
Before anyone signs any payment agreement, or decides to just ignore a medical bill in the hope it will magically disappear, ask the billing department about the Charity Care. They won’t offer, you have to inquire. Since it isn’t a government subsidized grant, the eligibility requirements are not always set by the Federal Poverty Limit, so don’t assume you won’t qualify. Apply, and appeal if denied. Can’t hurt, you know? (I worked in the finance dept of a large medical facility for over a decade.)
Ok-Bank3744@reddit
I feel like you don’t understand how taxes work.
ilikethejuices@reddit
As someone residing in a country where healthcare is taxed from the citizens..... Great?? What??
The mere fact that u obviously said it in a sarcastic manner shows how fucked the US healthcare system is. Id much rather my tax dollars go to someone who has possibly-terminal medical needs (doesn't even have to be terminal and I'd still be fine) over giving it to the military budget which culminates into bombs being dropped on brown countries (which, funnily enough, ends up creating aforementioned medical needs in foreign lands, but I digress)
youy23@reddit
Yeah that is how it works. Either we get universal healthcare or we get universal healthcare with smoke and mirrors.
It’s a lot less expensive to just get universal healthcare because the smoke and mirrors part is where insurance companies and hospital shareholders thrive.
Ordinaryacts@reddit
That would depend on whether it’s a private or public institution.
dahecksman@reddit
I likely pay way more taxes than the dude complaining. I’m grateful it’s going to that vs all the other dumb shit.
I think I paid around 50k in taxes last year.
Be safe all
SmokeSmokeCough@reddit
If you make enough money to pay $50k in taxes, nobody wants to hear you complain.
dahecksman@reddit
Part of the reason why I make that much is because I never do :)
BrownheadedDarling@reddit
It would have taken me a week to think of a response half this apropos.
I truly admire folks who can dish out casual wisdom as a response to aggression. The world needs more of you.
aLonerDottieArebel@reddit
and then everything will come full circle when you receive SSI and tax payers will be taking care of YOUR selfish ass.
RenownedJester@reddit
I’d rather pay for a citizens healthcare than anything for any other country or an illegal alien.
SpamLikely404@reddit
No. I have to say, you’re the only person I’ve ever heard of giving a fake name when they HAVE insurance lol. And I think people overestimate how much drs and nurses have to do with the insurance/finance stuff. But you might be making it more complicated than it needs to be. As far as I know, once you’re gone and don’t pay, the hospital writes it off as an indigent patient. They get government subsidies for it.
Ok-Bank3744@reddit
This should be illegal af.
kittensms96@reddit
It can still be very expensive even if you do have insurance. When I was twenty-ish and living paycheck to paycheck, I was paying $75-$140 a month for insurance (employer didn’t provide insurance) that I needed for chronic back pain treatments and birth control. The engine of my car exploded in this time. If I needed a big surgery or had an emergency there was no way in hell I could pay the $1500 deductible. I woulda used a fake name if I knew that was an option.
Parking_Lawyer_8759@reddit
Agree the whole system is a legalized scam. My deductible is almost 10x that (for 2 of us)
BigCommieMachine@reddit
$75-$140/month without being covered by an employer is crazy cheap.
kittensms96@reddit
That’s all I could afford at the time. It was shitty insurance.
saaandi@reddit
I pay 50% and my employer pays 50% and I’m still paying $300/month for insurance.
Frackenn@reddit
https://images.app.goo.gl/NyNAR2KXL8ew7Cd96
Chemical-Arm-154@reddit
Just don’t. Bills are expensive and don’t ruin your financial future for some hospital execs
-underdog-@reddit
why would you do that?
AnOutofBoxExperience@reddit
Has anyone ever died and wished they had been charged?
Practical-Annual-317@reddit
Doubtful
TomBobb@reddit
Go to a different clinic. If they ask for prior visit records, don’t consent and say you don’t trust them because they effed up. You might be a little difficult to deal with like this but it’s better than worrying about committing fraud.
Barbiedawl83@reddit
Only Rachael and Monica on friends
pterofactyl@reddit
How prevalent would you say your opinion is amongst the rest of the nurse staff?
SpamLikely404@reddit
Idk how accurate of an numerical estimate I could give, but I can say, I’ve been an RN since 2009 and I’ve literally never met a nurse that was concerned about how or if a patient was paying. We just don’t care. Everyone deserves to be taken care of regardless of their socioeconomic (or any other) status.
billybobdoleington@reddit
This.
ER nurse here: It's difficult for me to overstate how little fucks I give about your ability to pay. Just give me information relevant to your health and situation (so I can further understand what led to your current illness). I literally don't care about anything else. I want to do my job in the most efficient way possible until that 12 hour mark hits and then I'm out the fucking door and do not turn around even if your screaming bloody murder.
I'm not paid directly by the patient nor am i paid by the doctor. I'm paid by the hospital. And spoiler warning: hospitals ALWAYS find a way to get cash. And in the extraordinary event that they can't, I'm onto the next job.
While I'm on the job if I can help save someone's life or see/learn some new shit: neat! I'll take it! Otherwise I'm here to do a job and as long as your lies don't interfere with my ability to do that job I do not give a single fuck.
Nicadelphia@reddit
Doesn't the billing dept care tho
KoberanteAD@reddit
THANK YOU for your warmth and your service. Reading this seriously made me gain faith in humanity.
Intelligent_Cover_13@reddit
If your gonna give a fake identity try and befriend a homeless person roughly matching your dimensions and age and use his.
ilikethejuices@reddit
Love ur work!! OP this is prolly the most practical and applicable advice.
I'm not from the US but I keep tabs on anecdotes re healthcare (because I find it super interesting that in 2024, even if u live in a western developed country, u can still die from some arbitral ailments/illness that we already have preventable measures for, IF U DONT HAVE MONEY!!). The amount of times I've heard about healthcare staff turning a blind eye, 'lose' paperwork, misspell and/or fill out forms incorrectly, shit even outright pulling the patient aside and COACHING them how to work the system (I thought it was possible this was what the receptionist was trying to do - dont quote me tho!). This seems to happen quite often so I think u should be ok.
TL;DR - This is probly ur best bet, if u want further confidence maybe there's a healthcare/nurse subreddit that would allow these types of questions. even if ur post gets deleted, if enough ppl saw it I'd warrant someone would even reach out to u via DMs considering sensitivity of convo.
P.s. love ur work!!!
BAT123456789@reddit
Doctor here. Radiologist. I know 40% of my patients aren't paying. I just don't want you pretending to be another patient we've seen, because then your shit gets mixed with theirs and that pisses me off.
nightwingoracle@reddit
Psychiatry here. One of my colleagues once caught a case of identity theft.
How they figured it out: the real patient was incarcerated when the imposter showed up.
DblClickyourupvote@reddit
How does a Hosptial know about if a persons incarcerated or not? Maybe trying to Hill Medicare and them rejecting stating why?
Apropos_of@reddit
A question for you - what were the consequences for the “imposter patient”? Did your colleague report them to the police? How do private practices/hospitals handle that?
nightwingoracle@reddit
This was at the county hospital, so the police handled it. They had also found (when they ran the fingerprints) that he had active warrants out though.
pzelenovic@reddit
One of the consequences for the imposter was that he had no more imposter syndrome.
Positive-Attempt-435@reddit
In an ambulance once, said hey man you know I'm not gonna pay.
He says yes I know, but that's not my department.
synthetic_medic@reddit
If an EMT ever starts asking for your insurance information something is wrong. EMS workers really don’t care if you plan to pay or not, they are supposed to treat you regardless.
ClydesdaleDivision@reddit
A lot of the time we ask for your insurance because it is policy for us to ask. We don’t actually give a shit about it but we don’t want to get jammed up with our employers.
synthetic_medic@reddit
I’ve never worked anywhere where it was policy to ask. What is the justification for that policy?
ClydesdaleDivision@reddit
The idea is even though the ambulance is never going to be profitable where I’m at, anything billing can recoup goes back into the budget. We know our homeless, elderly, and low income / transients are never gonna pay a dime (and I couldn’t care less if they do), but every run we get insurance might help keep the lights on. Especially people with good health insurance.
Positive-Attempt-435@reddit
It was more me feeling bad for having to take an ambulance. I was really sick and needed it, but I was borderline freaking out cause of the cost and situation in general.
I kind of blurted it out as I was talking to him.
stacked_shit@reddit
Do you charge the other 60 percent of people 40 percent more as a result?
notislant@reddit
Because this comment is the same ignorant thought process of:
-Food is so expensive because of timmy stealing 10 chocolate bars a year, not because of systemic corporate greed.
-Why should someone be paid a liveable wage for working 40 hours a week? People being paid a liveable wage is why everything is so expensive these days. (Meanwhile wages are 1% of the price difference and corporate greed is 99%).
Its expensive because privatized healthcare and other industries can charge whatever the fuck they want to.
People don't really have an option to go to a competitor either. So you have a privatized industry that is literally life or death, where people are forced to pay whatever the industry demands.
Inflation is similar, corporations will use ANYTHING to justify prices.
'Oh hey guys we pay our workers 10 cents more an hour this year, thats why our product is up 30% this year. Blame the poors!'
Red-Newt@reddit
Jesus Christ, how’s coffee did you piss in. I didn’t see anything wrong with the question, it was a legit financial question on how the billing system works for hospitals.
OkSilver75@reddit
Seriously wtf?
deliciouspepperspray@reddit
And it's legitimately how health care services price their shit. They overpriced to compensate for non pay and for discounts later. Maybe the question could have been better worded but there's no way in hell the commentor thinks this radiologist handles billing directly. Bunch of redditors horny to shit on somebody.
stacked_shit@reddit
I have no idea. People are assuming things I never said. I just had a question about billing. The mob mentality is real, and this proves it.
MaximusCartavius@reddit
You need to learn who the enemy is. It's not a fucking radiologist
stacked_shit@reddit
I don't know how you got that from my question. I don't care who the enemy is, I'm just wondering how pricing works at a hospital.
Foxywoxy@reddit
Not caring “who the enemy is” is part of the problem. The Radiologist isn’t setting the prices. The American healthcare system is absolutely horrible for price gouging. If you’re wondering how the pricing works, the answer is greed. Simple.
OkSilver75@reddit
Holy shit they just asked a question??
AuroraItsNotTheTime@reddit
He also needs to learn math. I’m not going to write it all out, but I think you’d have to charge them 66.7% more to make up for it.
Key_Application_7409@reddit
Is this a joke or am I just really bad at maths?
barcastaff@reddit
Consider the situation where everyone pays. For convenience we set the total revenue to be 1. Now, we have 40% of the people not paying, or 0.4 in proportion. So, we want to solve
0.4•0 + 0.6x = 1
And x comes out to be 1.67 after rounding, or 67% more for the paying patients.
French_Booty@reddit
Underrated comment af
ManuelGarciaOKelly@reddit
I got scared after reading the first four words :( like some kind of flashback or something
barcastaff@reddit
Haha I’ve written way too many proofs to the point that the first few words are always autopiloted out to be those
Hats_back@reddit
Love your whole vibe here. I’ve found it’s easier to go with 100 base in a case like this. You start throwing out decimals and some people’s eyes will glaze over lol.
Nice write out!
barcastaff@reddit
Maybe you’re right, for the lay person. Doing maths for many years gives me a certain appreciation when things work out to be unity, but I suppose multiplying everything by 100 would make it easier to digest (like when thinking about money).
Key_Application_7409@reddit
Actually I just got it, the math checks out
Naturalnomad@reddit
Can you help a bleary eyed doomscroller out? It does not compute in said eyes…
weakhandshake@reddit
The paying 60% of 100 patients is 60 people. To return to 100% you can't just multiply by 1.40 as that would only result in 84.
So charging the 60% an extra 40% is the same as only having 84% paying customers.
Multiplying 40 by 1.6666 results in ~100, so you must charge the 60% an extra 66.66% more to return to cost.
nevergirls@reddit
Respect
WesternOne9990@reddit
Also I’m not sure a radiologist generally has anything to do with billing, would they?
lblockh1@reddit
Absolutely not. They have no clue how much the health system charges for their services.
Hollie-603@reddit
It’s how most businesses work.
loversean@reddit
My radiologist turned out to be a serial killer
paulsclamchowder@reddit
And clearly you paid your bill or you wouldn’t be here to tell the tale! /s
Prior_Performer5273@reddit
Never seen that big of a downvote before without comment deleted
stacked_shit@reddit
Fuck that, I'm committed to this question and will leave it up. I just wanted to know how billing works and everyone threw a bitch fit over it.
HackTheNight@reddit
I don’t know about you, but I’m okay with my taxes paying for healthcare for the other people in my country that can’t afford it.
What kind of a heartless piece of shit thinks “I don’t want my taxes going to take care of people who can’t afford to get medical attention”?
mablesyrup@reddit
The same people who think being poor just means you are lazy. "You just have to work harder to have more money. Nobody's giving me free handouts, and I make it work!"
sweatingbozo@reddit
Meanwhile their parents paid made sure they lived on good school districts, took them to all the extracurriculars that got them into college, then paid for their college and helped them get interviews at their friends companies.
remedyman@reddit
How about me? I didn't go to great schools. I wasn't involved in any extra curriculars. I worked since I was 15. I dropped out of highschool. I don't have a college degree. I make 6 figures. I realize I didn't take the easy route, but it can be done. On that note, I am a fan of free college, as long as it is a stem degree. You need to be a useful part of society if you want me to pay for it. I know. I am heartless.
Here come the downvotes.
sweatingbozo@reddit
Simple answer: You're a massive statistical outlier that can essentially be excluded from any actual data analysis. I'm sure you worked hard, but you got lucky.
Pretending your anecdote is relevant as anything more than a fun tidbit ignores the objective reality that upward economic mobility doesn't typically happen in America, & when it does, it's typically tied to higher educational attainment.
remedyman@reddit
Easy to just dismiss anything that doesn't support your position. But whatever helps you sleep at night.
sweatingbozo@reddit
It's easy to dismiss outliers when talking about statistics on this scale because we recognize their circumstances are often very different than are typical, and could potentially skew analysis on how to solve the problem.
You wouldn't point to LeBron James as a repeatable example of upward mobility in the US. You'd recognize that he has a unique set of circumstances that made him statistically different than a random person born to a single teen mom in Akron.
remedyman@reddit
By dismissing instead of taking the opportunity to learn more you miss the opportunity to find out of there are other contributing factors. To dismiss something as a statistical anomoly without any investigation only hurts yourself and your own understanding of a topic.
Good day.
sweatingbozo@reddit
I've never interacted with someone so against recognizing how special & unique their situation is.
I guarantee that the "other contributing factors" are that people helped you along the way.
remedyman@reddit
Yep. You know my life.
Again, good day.
sweatingbozo@reddit
It's very weird to try to talk about how special you are, and then get upset when someone points out that yea, you are special.
remedyman@reddit
You miss the point. I am not unique. Many people do have similar outcomes to mine. I have seen it many times over the year. Maybe you don't understand what is actually needed to grow your life. Maybe you find it easier to blame others.
paintwhore@reddit
They are told, and they believe, that the hard-working American public will be bankrupted by freeloaders. It is absolutely propaganda for the greedy greedy Healthcare System and CEOs of healthcare companies, but that's why.
glittercatlady@reddit
They didn't ask if their taxes would go up, but if the costs of medical care would go up for everyone else. They're probably in the same boat as most of us, who are wondering how we will pay our health insurance premiums and other bills.
Crinkleput@reddit
I think the coat doesn't come out of our taxes in the US. It's usually an out of pocket cost paid with income that has already been taxed.
Goatesq@reddit
Don't appeal to a frame of reference they have no access to or interest in; they see it as an admission of weakness and it emboldens them. You'll make more progress talking about how you don't want half your healthcare costs to be fed to the bureaucratic parasites running the insurance industry and their bloated lobby, just make sure your target shitbird doesn't turn it into a (((globalists))) soapbox.
Hats_back@reddit
Ya know what…. That’s good. Not just re:health insurance talk, but generally guiding idiots to better thoughts/discussion.
I have to rework my approach.
Both-Glove@reddit
'What kind of a heartless piece of shit thinks “I don’t want my taxes going to take care of people who can’t afford to get medical attention”?'
My brother.
kerodon@reddit
Lie half of America feels that way unfortunately
fernandopcg@reddit
Same people who hate schools giving poor kids a free lunch
ButchTheKid@reddit
When people steal groceries, we all pay more for food. When people scam insurance, we all pay higher premiums. And when people steal healthcare, we all pay more for services.
remedyman@reddit
You might not be old enough to remember but when they mandated that auto insurance was required, they promised that premiums would go down because everyone would have to have it. But they didn't go down. They went up. Because now they have a captive customer. They don't have to intice you or rely on you being good at math. Mandates usually do not cause cost to go down. There are a lot of extra factors involved. Rules of unintended consequences and all that jazz.
BAT123456789@reddit
Our charges are based on Medicare pricing.
fairelf@reddit
Not he, but the system does, yes.
boreal_ameoba@reddit
Reddit is filled with shit people, that’s why the hate.
The answer is yes; people who play by the rules are forced to subsidize parasitic and fraudulent behavior.
dacraftjr@reddit
Odds are, the doc has not control over billing whatsoever, especially true in a hospital. This is like complaining about the price of French fries to a McDonald’s employee.
blackdragon1387@reddit
Doctors in hospitals generally aren't doing the billing.
Dovelyn_0@reddit
Idk I got an ER charge recently and then a separate charge on a separate bill JUST for the doctor that said less than 5 minutes of shit to me.
bessemer0@reddit
The doctor still didn’t handle the billing lol
PossibilityAgile2956@reddit
And that’s not how math works
Aosih_@reddit
Right? He'd need to charge 66.7% more.
Hats_back@reddit
Nonononono… they need to charge 66.666666667 more!!! No wait.
66.66666666666666666666666667 more!
IgetHighAtWork420@reddit
Dickhead.
suspicious_hyperlink@reddit
No, but costs go up eventually and people will ask why.
Electronic_Stop_9493@reddit
They’re inflated to begin with under the understanding many won’t pay. When they finally realize insurance won’t pay they generally have an out of pocket rate much lower than the insurance companies
Action_Bronzong@reddit
They hated him because he spoke the truth.
Agitated-Ad5850@reddit
Bad bot
maverickked@reddit
Do you understand what insurance is?
pmactheoneandonly@reddit
Lol what?
Far_Ranger1411@reddit
No offense doc- but what’s best for you and your system and patients is not what’s best to help OP avoid financial ruin
Etherion77@reddit
Lol financial ruin?
Far_Ranger1411@reddit
Does the country you live in have socialized healthcare? In the US someone underinsured and unable to pay off medical debt is on the verge of financial ruin every time they have to go to the hospital. The bigger the health issue, the bigger the debt.
Etherion77@reddit
Buddy, an echo that the OP wanted to get does not cause financial ruin.
Ordinary_Cattle@reddit
This is actually dangerous for both patients. If you come in saying you have X symptom and say you're someone else, who has Y illness, the symptom could be misdiagnosed. You could end up with medication that you don't need that could make things worse or even kill you.
Far_Ranger1411@reddit
I’m not saying it might not be dangerous. We’re getting into the weeds here- we’re talking about falsifying records to avoid a bill on a subreddit called unethical life pro tips.
Ordinary_Cattle@reddit
Well you mention financial ruin in your comment, I'm just saying that there are worse things at stake here than financial ruin. Lying about who you are to the hospital is a bad idea for a lot of reasons and isn't really going to protect you from financial ruin anyway. It's not about that or about paperwork.
Bigignatz1938@reddit
Get a burner prepaid phone. If you're in a position to have to do what you're doing - cover your tracks.
VaultingSlime@reddit
Unlikely they'd pursue it to any kind of extent, you're probably fine. For quality of care sake, I'd say stay where you are. Continuity of care matters, and patients often accidently slightly alter descriptions of their symptoms. That's why EMS gives report when patients are brought in by ambulance, and depending on presentation, those reports often supercede what the patient says (I'm an EMT). They won't figure out the number, but cardiac issues are extremely dangerous and can creep up on you. I see a lot of patients that don't even realize they're having a heart attack until it's too late, when if caught soon enough, survivability is very high. Are you still in the emergency department though, or did they transfer you to another department? In Colorado, average ED turnover is about 4 hours, those beds need to be open for high acuity patients.
hvl1755@reddit
I worked registration at a hospital. We aren’t running a background check or verifying your identification at the ER. Later down the line, long after you’re gone, your stay will go to billing and when they don’t have any way to contact you it just is what it is. Don’t go back to give them your real info, they really don’t have time to process that when there are medical emergencies going on.
Everydayisfup@reddit
The health system absorbs the cost, which they have a budget for.
thelaminatedboss@reddit
Which is part of why it's so expensive. A massive percentage pay nothing so the people who do pay have to cover it. Obviously there's lots of other reasons but that plays a big part
remyenzo@reddit
Homie people wouldn’t have to not pay if hospitals didn’t charge you fucking $500 for two Advils
thelaminatedboss@reddit
If everyone paid they would be 200. Still ridiculous like I said it's part of the problem.
I support universal healthcare in part cause it eliminates this issue.
Blom-w1-o@reddit
You got downvote bombed here, but I don't understand why. Everything you said is correct.
thelaminatedboss@reddit
I didn't. There's an asterisk by the time of the post has been edited
4myreditacount@reddit
"Things are so expensive because costs are socialized!" (Detirmines the solution to be socializing costs) beautiful.
WhimsicalWyvern@reddit
Because the costs are socialized very poorly and unevenly. So it's better to spread the burden, and in the process eliminate the waste of space that is the medical insurance industry.
Sea-Cancel1263@reddit
Lol everytime dude.
thelaminatedboss@reddit
Hospitals aren't going to just let people die cause they can't pay it's not moral or socially acceptable so it is already socialized. Eliminate the middle man (insurance) and focus on preventive care.
4myreditacount@reddit
That all tracks, what doesn't track is that the congress is actually going to get the price lower. The drug companies have already bought and paid for our congressmen. So it's the same price but it comes out of taxes, but raising taxes is unpopular, since print or borrow. The money comes from somewhere and I promise it's not out of Pfizer's pocket.
Calgary_Calico@reddit
Oh yea, because our healthcare system in Canada isn't totally overwhelmed and understaffed because the staff are paid shit. Don't get me wrong, I like not paying out of pocket to see a doctor, but let's not pretend it's perfect, or even all that much better than private healthcare. We don't pay up front, but we have insanely high taxes, insanely high wait times and wait lists spanning months or years for some things. We have a shortage of medical staff because no one wants to be paid a shit wage to be abused by patients day in and day out
speedoflife1@reddit
Why the hell are you getting downvoted for the truth. People are so dumb.
NaturallyExasperated@reddit
Right which is why we should just bite the bullet and pay for it public sector wholesale. Save a whole lot of money.
thelaminatedboss@reddit
Agreed
NaturallyExasperated@reddit
Not sure why you got down vote bombed bud, anyone who's done procurement can see what the best fiscal option would be for healthcare but alas.
Available-Ask331@reddit
Same in England. It's only free if you're not paying National Insurance.
neumaticc@reddit
bruh. we live in a world where people doing the right thing often get punished (i.e medical bills) which encourages the wrong behavior
thelaminatedboss@reddit
I agree the current system sucks.
PineTreesAreDope@reddit
It’s sad you’re getting downvoted because this is actually factual information. I wrote about this in college. Yes, medical hospitals have a “budget line” to cover this, but that line is made from over charging those with insurances.
It’s a fucked up system that could be better for everyone if we didn’t believe universal health care was “communism”
thelaminatedboss@reddit
Agreed. People are down voting cause they don't like this fact and think I'm some capitalist pig. I believe universal healthcare was just explaining how the current system works (and is dumb)
One_Team6529@reddit
“The health system” that absorbs the cost is US paying to cover your stupid ass!
DeSmokeMonster@reddit
I’d rather my tax dollars pay for medical care for those who can’t afford vs what they’re being used for now.
One_Team6529@reddit
I don’t at all disagree. But call it what it is. It’s not “absorption”.
If I said “a restaurant absorbs the cost of dining and dashing”, you’d call my bullshit so quick
vyrus2021@reddit
No. Every well run company has losses such as these factored into their budgets.
One_Team6529@reddit
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE REVENUE TO OFFSET THE BUDGET COMES FROM ? You don’t think that losses are factored into the OpEx?
klortle_@reddit
They literally said that losses are factored into the budget. I guess learning how to read was never a requirement for any of your “real” jobs.
Where_Da_Cheese_At@reddit
Where does the money to pay for that part of the budget come from?
jabbo99@reddit
Exactly. Stealing labor or services isn’t an ULPT. It’s how to steal, no different than how shoplifters stealing merchandise. OP behavior just makes everything more expensive for the rest of us. Hope OP is well, then I hope OP gets arrested for fraud.
SommWineGuy@reddit
That's why it's an unethical tip.
But also, fuck our healthcare system, the giant conglomerates who prioritize quarterly earnings over patient health, and the politicians that vote against universal healthcare and the idiots that vote for them.
jabbo99@reddit
Nope. This is just a tip on how to steal shit and not an ULPT. This violates ULPT Rule 5.
SommWineGuy@reddit
Cry more. Rob the rich, give to the poor, it's the moral thing to do.
Candid-Reflection-41@reddit
No it’s us poor people that suffer what are you talking about. You aren’t robbing any of the rich because us poor ppl who do pay our medical bills get fucked. Not every poor person, in fact most, hide their identity while going to the ER. You bring your kid in who’s sick and you’re going to lie about identity? Ugh no?
Do you truly think this comes out of a CEO’s pocket? No. They just put the strain back on the lot of us who do pay. This person even has insurance. They already pay into the system they are trying to scam and I’m sure they bitch when it’s time for the premiums to go up.
vanthefunkmeister@reddit
Fuck that. Fix the system so people don’t need to do shit like this
Grantsdale@reddit
Sounds like you’d be interested in Universal Health Care.
optionjunky@reddit
If someone goes to ER and he's just a hypochondriac with nothing wrong can they deny you?
hvl1755@reddit
In the US there’s a federal law called EMTALA that prohibits emergency rooms and hospitals from denying you services under a lot of circumstances. If you come in and for instance, say you are having chest pains and you think it’s a heart attack they will treat you but they wouldn’t know you may just be a hypochondriac until they actually take your vitals, run tests, talk to you, etc. They wouldn’t much rather be safe than sorry. There are very few circumstances I’m aware of where you would be turned away at an ER.
Scrappyl77@reddit
Hospitals can now search for insurance in most states, so there's a solid chance the hospital will learn you have coverage, especially if it is state-based. You also won't be able to get medications or anything you might need without insurance unless you pay out of pocket.
Going to another ED might buy you more time but that will start the process of waiting for docs all over again.
Mastuh@reddit
How are they gonna find insurance for a fake name?
Scrappyl77@reddit
Now that he's given his real phone number they can search with that. At least in my state, there's a state-wide search system for insurance to prevent what OP is doing. If OP is in an ED in a state they dont live in they have a shot .
But the tricky part will be follow-up appointments, medications, etc. If they are prescribed a controlled substance,.for example,.most pharmacies.reqiore.an ID.
Mastuh@reddit
He said he gave a fake number too, I don’t think there’s a chance they find him
Scrappyl77@reddit
He then said he had to give his real number.
Mastuh@reddit
No, he said in the post he used a fake number generator
MediumFuckinqValue@reddit
I'm paying attention and taking notes, because healthcare in America is fucking broken
Seesnowy@reddit
Just give real info and apply for charity care and they will help with your bill. God forbid you come back there in real trouble and it takes them too long to find your real information and you die. At least if you give them real info they can look up your health information and know how to treat you faster.
Environmental_Rub282@reddit
Don't use a fake name. Seriously. Ask to speak to their financial counselors. They'll help you apply for the uninsured discount. My husband had no insurance and needed emergency surgery in January. The total cost was $140,000 and he owed nothing. Plus, if you give them fake info, and that info happens to match someone already in their records system, you risk getting care meant for another person. You could accidentally receive the wrong blood, wrong meds, etc. Also, if you need prescriptions when you leave, you can't get them using a fake name.
QuichemeQuick@reddit
My friend got away with this but it was a long time ago
Radiant_Somewhere_98@reddit
I work in registration in a hospital. I genuinely do not care (and neither do most of my coworkers) care if you can’t pay. Please always give your correct information in case there is a situation in which they need your medical information to save your life. 9/10 times, you aren’t receiving a bill day of, so it doesn’t matter if you can or can’t pay. It makes my job easier if you give me your actual name. Plus a lot of billing departments have payment plans/self pay discounts. There are always options when it comes to paying your medical bills (including ignoring them).
Accurate-Lecture7473@reddit
What heart problems? And don’t sweat the false identity. That’s the billing departments problem.
tnmoidks@reddit
You know it would be a lot easier to pay if you hospitals would quit making every appointment or visit a seperate account. I'm already paying $20/month on 4 accounts so when you try to send me to collections over $4 YES FOUR DOLLARS because i missed one of the accounts payments yall can kick rocks.
Dobbydilla@reddit
You have insurance? 🤦🏻♂️ All your anxiety and this whole post could have been avoided. Use your insurance genius, that's what you're paying for it for.
Ursmanafiflimmyahyah@reddit
Die with the lie. Nurse here, don’t give your real insurance info and real name. If registration comes by just say you’re not feeling well, come back later. If you’re discharged on new meds it might be difficult bc you won’t have insurance for prescriptions. If something serious occurs, you won’t have the results on your chart so you’ll just have to give them your verbal history of the hospital stay.
hornyemergency@reddit
Would they be able to get a printed discharge summary with any relevant information that they could hang on to & bring to a future doc if needed?
Snarky75@reddit
Yeah and it would have the fake name on it.
hornyemergency@reddit
I would think they could obscure that if they’re concerned
Ursmanafiflimmyahyah@reddit
Then it could be pretty much anyone else’s discharge information and the provider won’t take it for face value. I can use my grandmas after visit summary that said she had a stroke and tell them it’s mine, along with her ex for norco, they won’t take that and add it to my chart.
hornyemergency@reddit
I mean anyone could lie about their entire health history if they wanted
New-Negotiation7234@reddit
Yes they would have their dc info with what information they gave the hospital
ah-Xue1231@reddit
Also scripts will not be under your name, so just remember that.
LatePaper@reddit
Aside from the bill, if they discharge you with medications that you need to survive, you're not gonna be able to get those prescriptions filled with the bogus name you gave them.
NopalesSigueSigue@reddit
Just don’t say nothing.
And when they ask you to pay say “ I I have is this 20 dollars I was going to use to buy chicken nuggets”
redpurplemix@reddit (OP)
If I told them the truth could they charge me with fraud?
Evolm@reddit
Confessing to a crime is the stupidest thing ever. Deny, deny deny and if someone wants to accuse, interrogate, charge you and convict you, deny still. Don't shortcut to guilty and don't do their job for them. You already did, ride it out. You'll get away with it.
CptDrips@reddit
Until you get in front of a judge and are sworn in, "The truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth". Perjury is not something to mess with.
Evolm@reddit
The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution protects individuals from self-incrimination.
alaunaslay@reddit
And remember, if they had enough to convict you, they wouldn’t be asking any questions. Don’t ever speak to them without a lawyer!
__Ken_Adams__@reddit
That's ridiculous & not even close to true. No LEO is going to forego questioning just because they think they have "enough to convict you". Which isn't even a thing, anyway. Trials/juries are unpredictable & "slam dunk" cases are a myth.
They can have you dead to rights with clear video evidence & they will ALWAYS still look to strengthen their case by questioning you.
alaunaslay@reddit
Sure buddy, as you said… strengthening their case. The case they ALREADY HAVE lol.
__Ken_Adams__@reddit
Well yes, genius, that's how it works. They begin with evidence, and regardless of how strong they believe it to be, they will always still question you.
Are you honestly arguing that police will skip an interrogation if they have
alaunaslay@reddit
Dude, you’re not going to convince me otherwise. I am certain that they will rarely waste their time on more than basic questions if they already have a solid case. Tell yourself whatever you like to make yourself feel cool but I know from a lot of personal experience in the field that unless the cop is some bully that has something to prove, like you come across, they aren’t going to waste time and give you the privilege of yapping a bunch of bs when you could be rotting in a cell. Sorry to burst your bubble bud.
CasualNihilist22@reddit
Admit nothing
Deny everything
Make counter accusations
NopalesSigueSigue@reddit
You slept with my wife doctor lol
dirtmother@reddit
Reminded me of this lol:
https://youtu.be/I39zEDylohs?si=-EcpDkDds7dOoVlC
Bleak_Squirrel_1666@reddit
No I didn't. You slept with my grandpa doctor.
fucking_fantastic@reddit
So, channel Trump energy
Opposite-Knee-2798@reddit
More like Kamala 😂
fucking_fantastic@reddit
Omg, how embarrassing, your ignorance is showing!
stacked_shit@reddit
This works. When I was a teenager, a friend of mine ran a stop sign and ran into someone. She admitted nothing, denied everything, and loudly accused the other driver. The other driver was ticketed by police and their insurance paid for the accident as a result.
Evolm@reddit
IDK, as a smokescreen I guess sometimes, but counter accusations can make you look less credible.
SoftwarePractical620@reddit
My lawyer has a plaque on her desk that just says “Deny, deny deny” lol
mp6521@reddit
Did he graduate from the Roy Cohn school of law?
Evolm@reddit
Lol sounds very Saul Goodman
Albospropertymanager@reddit
Following advice like this could make you President
SithAccountant@reddit
They won’t care. They’re not the police and it’s a bad look to call the cops on someone with a major health issue. They haven’t billed anyone else for your stay, so I don’t think you technically have committed fraud yet. Just tell them you were afraid and made a mistake.
RaceMcPherson@reddit
Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to play games like this just to stay alive? Just think if we had single payer healthcare. Have you voted for politicians that support healthcare for all?
GUNTHVGK@reddit
It’s no better up north dude.
alwayssearching117@reddit
I'm not sure, but I know that insurance fraud is a serious charge. I'd think it would be better to come clean and get treated.
Adubxl0ve@reddit
How would it help insurance fraud if she doesn’t give them her insurance???
New-Negotiation7234@reddit
I don't think they would charge you with a crime but they could if they wanted. My hospital probably wouldn't. You could say you were confused and give them your real information.
If you have insurance then you will probably get a bill from them. You could qualify for some assistance through the hospital but it really just depends.
If you have made it this far then I would just continue. My ex one time lied and never gave them an id. He never got charged....
knittykittyemily@reddit
They are not law enforcement. No.
toilet_paper91@reddit
Not just fraud, this is also a felony based simply on the $ amount. Also remember most hospital systems use EMR that are connected to other clinics and doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots if you’ve received healthcare somewhere else..
OldERnurse1964@reddit
They’d make you an instant organ donor. Just kidding. Just get your treatment
Drink_Deep@reddit
Stop commenting on who you are. Stop confirming anything. Neither deny nor acknowledge anything else besides your symptoms. If you’re hyper pressed later on, or they “discover” your identity, claim that you were in a stake of shock and/or delusional and thus unable to comprehend any actual questions.
Do not volunteer anything else. Do not give more fake information. This type of plot is meant for in and out patients. Not multiple days at the hospital.
PandaDad22@reddit
They wouldn't bother. Too much work.
miraculum_one@reddit
They would report it to the police and go on about their business. It is no big deal for them to do and the police may or may not follow up on it.
catpalace@reddit
Just like talking out of your ass huh?
redrosebeetle@reddit
Tell me you're not involved in healthcare without telling me you're not involved in healthcare.
iButtflap@reddit
we just be saying any kinda shit here
NopalesSigueSigue@reddit
Again, if you’re already this deep. Just go for it.
Say you’re homeless.
You know if you have insurance and it doesn’t cover it all, you could of told them there’s no way to pay out of pocket and they had to find a reasonable payment. Bug them and ask to see the cost of the things they spent. You could annyoyed them to lower the price.
doctaglocta12@reddit
How about you pay for the services you receive?
moonrocks_throwaway@reddit
Just run with it and say you’re homeless
Positive-Attempt-435@reddit
Yep exactly this.
I went in once, was in ICU for a few days, then said I'd like to sign out and left.
Billing called me a few days later and I said "sorry I'm homeless" and she said "oh ok I'll take care of this for you".
It was Colorado. I ended up going back again (severe alcoholic at the time) and they said ok we got you in our system.
Never saw a bill.
aotrat@reddit
this is it
RachelTyrel@reddit
Definitely number 2.
NEVER tell on yourself. Always make them prove you wrong.
Even if they do figure out who you are, you can easily make yourself judgment proof. Even if you do get prosecuted for fraud, that is a civil matter. You cannot go to jail for civil fraud.
dream2X@reddit
Interesting…well I’m surprised about them not doing id check. Don’t they ask for ID at the front desk when you first enter?
Former_PFC@reddit
Former patient financial counselor, posting under a throwaway. For those not in the know, a financial counselor at a medical facility exists to help patients who can't afford to pay medical bills find assistance. Yes, it's a very stupid, only-in-America type job that shouldn't have to exist, but well... here we are.
The ER is not going to care about fraud; they're just there to help you get out of medical trouble. The only crimes an ER are concerned with are violent ones, with either you as a victim or suspect (e.g. bullet wounds); they have to report those to the police. They have way more important things to worry about than fraud.
Ask for a patient financial counselor. Your problem is one that hospitals deal with thousands of times a day, especially with people coming through the ER. The job of a financial counselor is to help you find a way to cover your bill. One of the first things they'll do is see if you qualify for Medicaid and help you apply. Depending on your state, it may just cover the bill for the visit, or they may help you find expanded Medicaid if offered in your are (NY does appear to be an MXP state). Hospitals rely on that sweet, sweet government money.
If you do not qualify for that because you are over income, already have insurance, an illegal immigrant, etc,, non-profit hospitals will have a grant or charity program to help patients cover their bills since they are required to write off a percentage of patient debt to keep that non-profit status. These are generally income based, and may depend on if you already have insurance or not. Some hospitals will cover a debt completely, others will at least give a discount.
Some hospitals are lucky enough to have grants or gifts with connected religious organizations, or know of other resources that can help donate funds, but sadly, these are pretty few and generally have some hard qualifications to meet.
The downside is you will have to provide your real information, but again, you are not going to be reported for fraud. If you chose not to cooperate, though (purposely continuing to give incorrect info, not turning in the requested documentation on time, etc), then the financial department will be done with you for this round and you will definitely be responsible for the bill. They're usually crunched for time and don't have enough to spare messing with people who are going to jerk them around.
tl;dr: Stay where you are and get better, the ER doesn't care about fraud. Ask for a financial counselor to see what payment assistance options are, but be aware you will have to provide your real information if you chose to go this route. Payment plans are also an option. There is a chance you can be sued for medical debt if you end up not paying. However, this is becoming an uncommon practice depending on your state laws.
Vast_Excitement699@reddit
Move to Australia where the government provides medical care to everybody without charge. My partner had a heart attack. she was in hospital and a stent put in and was out in 3 days. no cost. Really for a country thats supposedly so great it doesnt seem that your country really cares for its citizens :( . Its called medicare in Australia
Edavis050694@reddit
I work in ER registration. Don’t know if it was mentioned but there’s 2 things to watch out for.. 1. do not say you’re someone who actually exists, I need to try and find out if you’ve been at our hospital before and match you to a medical record. Make sure you don’t get found in the system. That’s a way to end up with the wrong blood type in an emergency. 2. If you are given a prescription you will not be able to fill it. You would need to go to your doctor and convince them you have the same condition. ER doctor diagnosed with to get the needed medicine. Also I have to ask for your ID and insurance card. We have to see you by law you tell me a false name nothing we can do. I don’t care that much. I just have to try my best to find your medical record.
VixenTraffic@reddit
I saw a movie once about a young lady who thought she had a kidney infection or some minor issue, she went to the Dr and found out she actually needed and expensive surgery, but she didn’t have ins.
She and her roommate looked a lot alone so her roommate said just use my insurance card. She died during surgery and it was a nightmare.
I would leave, go to a different hospital, and use your real identity.
Alert_Draw2648@reddit
What will suck is that if something happens and you see a doctor elsewhere, they can’t pull up your labs/scans because it was under a fake identity
TSPGamesStudio@reddit
Hopefully you get caught. It's not just fraud, it's causing more issues in our already gucked up Healthcare system.
RageTheFlowerThrower@reddit
No it’s not. OP and people like OP are not the issue here. It’s sad how brainwashed people like you are.
Other_Smoke_3568@reddit
You have insurance so what was the point of lying?
redpurplemix@reddit (OP)
It’s bad insurance :/
Other_Smoke_3568@reddit
My only issue is if there really is something wrong with you and you need to see a specialist, the ER will refer you to someone then what are you goin to do then? You’ve kinda put yourself in a bad spot I think with lying. So many hospitals have programs to help if you can’t pay.
hornyemergency@reddit
Depends on OP’s insurance, assuming they would want to use it for any follow up care. Not all plans require a referral for specialty care. And if it does OP could go to a pcp after discharge for the referral. I don’t think this particular issue is too big a concern.
Other_Smoke_3568@reddit
They usually will look up your medical records to see if there were any notes written by the dr and what exactly was said about his issues. If he used a false name then none of that info will be there. So then it might just turn into a problem. What’s he gonna say, I went to the er and lied about my name and insurance so I would t have to pay? If he has such crappy insurance I can almost guarantee he’s gonna need a referral cuz they don’t want to pay for unnecessary visits.
Cueller@reddit
This isn't unethical, it's committing medical fraud.
Adventurous_Rush_527@reddit
It’s really sad to me that in order to seek health care some people have to fake their identity because they know they can’t afford it. I genuinely hope you get the care you need!
MunchieMinion121@reddit
Look, if u cant pay, there is financial assistance and hospitals can write off a certain percentage
Jet-Rep@reddit
move to Canada and get that free health care i keep hearing about
aRagingSofa@reddit
You get what you pay for in our archaic, crumbling healthcare system in Canada...
Sammysoupcat@reddit
Lol don't speak on shit you don't know about. Coverage isn't forever and you can still pay a good amount for shit that you shouldn't have to pay for.
MrsTaco18@reddit
Coverage isn’t forever? What do you mean?
Sammysoupcat@reddit
I mean you only have it until a certain age (expected to have a job with insurance by then) and it varies by provinces what is covered, until when. In my province, eyes are only covered until you're 20, dentistry at least for me hasn't been covered at all, and I don't recall the age for other medical things. But the point is that healthcare isn't just free for everyone.
MrsTaco18@reddit
Dentistry aside, healthcare is covered at all ages in Canada. Provinces have differences in health care delivery but the Canada health act covers the whole country. No one “ages out” of health care in Canada. That’s nonsense. You won’t be given a bill at the ER or for a surgery if you’re over a certain age.
Sammysoupcat@reddit
Not at the ER but not everything is paid for if you go to the doctor. My mom literally has to pay for appointments for things that aren't eye or teeth related, and medicine is also not free. I just think it's disingenuous to call it free. Hell even I've had to pay for things that aren't covered, or that aren't covered unless you're a minor. It's not bullshit if it's literally people's experience.
Jet-Rep@reddit
i know anyone in Canada that has money always come down to the USA for medial procedures
Usual_Wing2506@reddit
Ah so this is part of my my health insurance is almost $500 per month.
Ashsquatch11@reddit
Ride it out. Save your discharge papers for the next time you see a dr.
MrIrrelevantsHypeMan@reddit
I'm way more concerned it's taking so long for an ecg. Are you in the 1940s?
Inevitable_Pudding80@reddit
Echocardiography is an ultrasound of the heart, not an ekg/ecg. Still shouldn’t take days, but not quite as egregious
pigglywigglie@reddit
I work in an ER and there are a ton of people that have multiple fake personas that they come in under. I don’t give a shit because none of us get paid enough to care. The only time we might look into it is if you’re being an asshole but if you’re nice, polite and not causing problems, most staff aren’t going to give you issues. Only problem is if there’s something abnormal that comes back on a test, it’s not tied to you so it’s going to be harder to get medications or procedures done without repeating the tests
BobBartBarker@reddit
If it's not a great hospital, there's a higher chance you get a shady doctor who will avoid certain options because they didn't think you can pay.
GoblinKing5817@reddit
American health care at its finest. Keep up lie and continue the good fight, brother!
FirebirdWriter@reddit
Some pro tips? You can contact billing and see if they have low income programs once you get a bill in the future. Ask for a social worker and see if they can help you out now. You need medical care beyond this hospital stay to maintain your survival and having the records for this is vital for a lot of programs. Of course they know but as long as you're not lying about meds etc? Okay get care.
The reality is that you are far from alone and while universal care would be better so you could do preventative care? Those programs exist and your tax dollars paid for it so you're allowed to ask for help. Even if you never worked.
Please don't let the fear of the bill kill you or disable you. It's a bad time.
W3R3Hamster@reddit
Hospital charity filing is honestly a blessing and needs more attention
W3R3Hamster@reddit
If you don't make an insane amount of money, ask for charity paperwork. Even with insurance if you don't meet their inflated standards of poverty you could end up with 50-100% off any medical bills you have. It's crazy that this isn't common knowledge but I ended up with a year of 100% charity when I wasn't working and everything done at the hospital and clinic was just free. Getting an ultrasound on my liver was a weird experience because I think they were expecting a pregnant lady and not a 30-something year old man.
Dividendz@reddit
Make sure it’s a fake identity. Last thing we need is for you to get a collar for identity theft by accidentally providing a real (other) person’s name.
broidy88@reddit
OK, right, but just hear me out really quick.
Doc- you need life saving medication, here is your prescription Mr. Mike Hawk, we will send it to the pharmacy
Pharmacist- do you have ID to run thus credit card mr Mike hawk, they are super expensive and your insurance does X and you owe 859
Wa bam
Mike hawks cover is blown
Lolz get it?
Didn't do all that for a jab at a penis joke, but something to contemplate
SadNana09@reddit
Tell them the truth. If it comes out later that you're lying, they may think that you're an addict trying to get drugs. I don't know about NY, but in Florida hospitals will work with you on a repayment schedule or, if you're unable financially to pay for it, they have resources to cover the bill for you.
Repulsive-Web-2236@reddit
My husband is in a union and gets healthcare free. I’m sure it will be gone by next contract if there is one.
toomanycats21@reddit
You are entitled to emergency medical care whether you can afford the bill or not. Please don't leave the emergency room.
burdnerd@reddit
So when the test results come back and you need long term treatment for your issue, do you continue this facade?
bertiek@reddit
Lying to doctors is always stupid.
Ethically? Do whatever you want, they're not going to arrest you.
No_Faithlessness_142@reddit
OP asking from a legal POV not ethical. They are worried that by committing multiple acts of fraud in an attempt to evade payment for services they will be held criminally liable.
Terrible that Healthcare in America forces someone to make that decision, especially when service is that horrible.
Granite017@reddit
Er doc here. We have a special phone rarely used called the “bat phone” for people like you. Direct call to the fbi to round up the transgressors without insurance. Confiscate their passport and extradite them straight to Canada.
MrIrrelevantsHypeMan@reddit
This guy docs
Plastic_Fan_1938@reddit
And this is another reason for universal health care, everyone is covered and the bloated and useless insurance scam dies.
SpilltheGreenTea@reddit
Private equity companies that own hospitals reading this thread like 😦
redpurplemix@reddit (OP)
UPDATE: thank you everyone for your kind responses and words. I discharged myself from treatment and is now going to a hospital with actual good reviews in the city so they won’t make me wait 3 days for a fucking echocardiography. I’ll also be using my insurance because this was a really stressful experience for me. Thank you all, especially those who work in healthcare.
BikeSpare3415@reddit
Thanks for the update, I was reading through all these comments trying to work out why no one else was shocked that you've been in A&E for TWO DAYS waiting for an urgent scan! I thought our waiting times were bad in the UK. Is that normal over there? Also glad you managed to socialise what care you got, hope whatever it turns out to be isn't too serious
mablesyrup@reddit
No it's not normal to be the ER for 2 days. They usually try to push you out as fast as they can. Unless they didn't deem the scan an emergency, they will do those tests before you leave.
Surgeplux@reddit
Reading this post makes me sad. Free national healthcare NOW.
gbplmr@reddit
It does seem free from all of the advice in the thread, the secret is to simply give a fake name at a hospital.
DoubleBreastedBerb@reddit
I cry in dialysis and kidney transplant costs all the time, and I even had great insurance and did the whole Medicare thing too.
We deserve much better than what we allow ourselves to get.
WhimsicleMagnolia@reddit
My recent procedure (1 of 9 now so keep that in mind) cost $200,000. It is insane
Opposite-Knee-2798@reddit
No. You are not paying 1.8 million.
localcrux@reddit
Just a nice hefty discount at like $10,000 out-of-pocket maximum. What a steal! /s
Full_Championship719@reddit
My European mind cannot comprehend this post.
BigMikeInAustin@reddit
That's because you don't think working for free after quitting time will give you a shot at being a billionaire.
(Americans vote against taxing the 1% rich because they think that could be them someday.)
PepperPicklingRobot@reddit
Nah that’s not why. It’s just a regarded idea and will permanently stunt the economy. Laffer Curve anyone?
RaceMcPherson@reddit
It boggles my American mind as well.
awesome_possum007@reddit
I'll be coming back home soon! Fuck the states and its' greed
boxinafox@reddit
But then how will the board members of U.S. health insurance companies afford more extravagant luxuries?
chilangita@reddit
America ;/
strangiestthing@reddit
Get well soon!!!
max1334@reddit
It's not unethical to be poor, even though non-poor people want everyone to believe it is.
(Pretend I injected nuance into my generalization somehow)
Blenderx06@reddit
The rich are far worse at paying their bills.
max1334@reddit
And they’ve always have been. The rich guys aren’t creative enough to really use a new playbook. Simply not paying for things is easy and liberating and it’s absurd that the rich are the ones who feel no shame in not paying yet the poor do.
Opposite-Knee-2798@reddit
Really? All I read about is how the rich are evil and pity the poor.
max1334@reddit
I mean people get caught up in the pursuit of justice and get hyperbolic. But a fair amount of them aren’t in a place to practice what they preach and are still haunted by this shitty notion that is ingrained in our society.
But I also understand that this is a subjective interpretation of what is wrong with society, and there’s simply too much that’s dumb and wrong to really pin down specifics sometime.
No-Passenger6033@reddit
I know someone that went to a different state, had a baby, and skipped out on the entire medical bill by giving a fake name. 😂 I really don't think hospitals gaf or pay that close of attention.
sunfunbum1234@reddit
What did they put on the birth certificate??
No-Passenger6033@reddit
From my understanding, they filed for an accurate birth certificate in their home state and gave fake information for the one at the hospital.
Big_Meaning_7734@reddit
Tell them to use the fake birth certificate to get a ssn issued and then rack up some credit card debt
No-Passenger6033@reddit
I don't think they ever got an official copy of the fake certificate. Those aren't instant issue.
Good thought though lol
HamOnBarfly@reddit
pop smoke and gtfo
free_girl_now_@reddit
I once stayed in a NYC hospital for a week under a fake identity, was admitted through the ER. I stuck to my story, never received a bill.
OP, don’t tell on yourself. You’ll be fine.
(P.S. We deserve Universal Healthcare.)
apathetic-taco@reddit
Copy and pasting my comment from another subreddit bc it is relevant to this post;
Edit: I’ve had a few people comment that they, or someone they know, have had medical debt garnished from their wages or prevent them from buying a house. I don’t know the specifics of their situation but I would be willing to guess those people are in a small minority and probably had other contributing factors as to why their wages were garnished. As with anything, this is just the world as I know it. These are the thing I have been taught and trained in at my job. It doesn’t mean that I haven’t been taught things that are wrong. Never take advice from someone on the internet without doing your research.
More helpful info copy and pasted from another comment in this thread.
WTF852123@reddit
If you decide to tell them the "truth" tell them that you were confused when you came in and you may have given them the wrong info because you were to ill and confused. Stick to that story.
Responsible_Nebula66@reddit
As a person who lives in France where health is a primary right, I'm horrified every time I read such testimonials. And I love a lot of other things in the US! Yes it costs us, French, a lot but nobody needs to sell their family home if they need to treat a cancer, or lie at ER.
I was also relieved when reading the comments from numerous nurses and doctors. Kudos to you guys, you have wonderful jobs 🥰
LevriatSoulEdge@reddit
They are holding the Echo because you had no insurance
DjScenester@reddit
Why would you lie?
Most hospitals will let you negotiate bills.
Some will even PAY THE BILL.
If you’re broke and can’t pay they will help you if you ask.
Don’t do this again, never lie about this. This is your life and if you’re that worried look into non profit hospitals near you. They will be free if you’re poor.
But yeh, bills can be negotiated. You can easily prove you don’t have money.
CeruleanFlytrap@reddit
Where I’m at, if you can’t make the minimum payment based on what they have negotiated for you, they automatically send the debt to collections. What they negotiate and discount costs down to, frequently ends up with a required MINIMUM payment of $200/month!Many people just can’t swing that. If/when the debt goes to collections, it goes to one contracted agency and they garnish the debt out of your wages if you don’t or can’t make the payments.
As someone who works in healthcare, I think this guy is actually on the right track. Unfortunate that this is what healthcare has become, but here we are.
DjScenester@reddit
It’s non profit vs for profit.
Non-profits aim to serve society by addressing social issues, while for-profits aim to generate profit for personal gain.
CeruleanFlytrap@reddit
The problem is not all locations are the same. In many lesser populated areas, you don’t have a choice of hospital. There is only one hospital with the next closest being a 3-4 hour drive in any direction. Sometimes all the options are bad ones.
criticalt3@reddit
Yeah where I'm from I've never even heard of a non-profit medical anything. I recognize that it may be true but it's so far removed from my reality that it sounds like a myth. OP will probably be fine if they stick to their guns. Not like they can stop you from leaving. In a worst case scenario, OP can claim they are homeless and don't have an SSN.
CeruleanFlytrap@reddit
I’m with you. They’re not a part of my reality either, unfortunately. I think OP will be just fine too. Like you said, they can’t stop you from leaving and he could always take off right after getting his DC paperwork and throwing his clothes back on (that’s probably what I’d do, tbh, just to avoid any possible confrontation). But yes, worst case scenario: “I’m homeless and don’t have any identification.”
JarrekValDuke@reddit
As a nurse who’s worked in the field for 3 years… you have no idea what you’re talking about, sure hospitals negotiate but soemtimes you just can’t swing the random expenses, especially when talking about cardiac issues, you don’t want to know how expensive blood draws or cardio grams can be.
As for the rest of it, name is unimportant to the doctor they just want to be kind, if you don’t give them anything they will still give you the help you need.
DjScenester@reddit
As someone who has erased 200k of medical bills I have no idea what you are talking about.
Let me guess… you live in a red state?
I’ve easily filled out paperwork and omitted all my bills.
There are non profit hospitals. Eats around paying when contacting the billing department.
JarrekValDuke@reddit
Actually I was born and raised in Minnesota, I was a CNA at Saint Cloud Hospital, I went to my er for being fairly sick, turned out to be bronchitis, I as a certified cardiac monitor technician and they arbitrarily decided I needed a 12 lead placed (fun fact it was my job to handle billing for the heart monitors so I got a little chuckle) then they took 3 vials of blood to measure my levels, my ddimer was high by a couple hundred points (500 being normal 1000 still being reasonable, I was around 600-700) this made them decide that they wanted a chest X-ray and a ct scan to check for pulmonary effusion. None of these I needed, I was fairly certain that what I had was bronchitis and it wasn’t a PE, the ct and X-ray came back clear and normal as well, and the result was that I indeed had bronchitis, I was perscribed some teslon pearls and some higher strength pain meds. High dose ibuprofen and acetaminophen (I refused the bigger stuff)
This visit ran me 3,000$ of medical debt at my own hospital, with insurance.
Now, tell me again how little you know about medical costs in America and blue states? It only gets worse in red states. Not to mention this was my own hospital, I was being treated by my own coworkers, albeit on a completely different floor,
Later I looked at my own chart (which I had access to due to being employed there in nursing) and I really wish I had the chance to print off my X-rays, my chest was gorgeous looking. Though my labs were a little scary looking, not terribly so but they indicated I was both malnourished and starving neither of which was true or so I had thought. But they had never brought those up despite them being a little interesting.
DjScenester@reddit
Yeh I’ve never been forced to go to a for profit hospital while passed out.
I only go to Non-profit hospitals.
All the ER visits, patient care is discounted like 95 percent. Sometimes 100 percent.
I looked it up 6,000 hospitals nationwide, half are non profit. Some are the same too as they are government funded.
For profits should be abolished.
JarrekValDuke@reddit
This is true, but the staff, supplies, and knowledge at my hospital was one of the best in the state, Right behind the Mayo Clinic
Western_Paramedic_98@reddit
I don't know about the lying thing, but for future reference if you owe the hospital $1k that is your problem, but if you owe them $1 million that is their problem. Basically don't worry whether or not you can pay the hospital bill because if you can't then that is their problem.
DNAture_@reddit
Get yourself taken care of. If anyone really questions it, apologize and say you’re homeless, but you aren’t the first and we really don’t care. Billing will probably notice it and hate it later but that’s their problem, not yours
Opposite-Knee-2798@reddit
Just say you are illegal. They are not required to pay for health care.
wemustsetsail@reddit
I oversee the billing for a large facility who also contracts out our services.
Part of my job is investigating accounts like this. Truthfully, there is only so much we can do. Likely it will get turned over to a collections agency and due to the inaccuracy of the information, they will also hit a dead end. That is about as “short and sweet” as I can put it
Mountain_Lake_500@reddit
As a person who works in the ER…applause lol the bills are ridiculously high. We still get paid the same and you’re not in debt. Win-Win. Also could care less why your name is. Only why you’re in the ER. Registration can deal with that.
Petraretrograde@reddit
How do we give Registration enough info to shut them up til we leave?
Mountain_Lake_500@reddit
You don’t want to give them too much info and if you do it should be false. No real names or just a nickname. No social, no address. You’re homeless if they ask for an address. If they tell you to apply for emergency medical fudge the paperwork. A lot of ppl come through the doors as poor historians. If they’re persistent tell them you’re trying to get in contact with family but they’re out of the country. THIS WILL NOT AND DOES NOT CHANGE YOUR LEVEL OF CARE.
HonnyBrown@reddit
Can you sign up for Medicaid?
Cannibeans@reddit
You made the worst decision. If you can't pay, you just tell them that at the end. When they show you the bill you say "I barely have money for food" and they eat the cost. You've just created like double the issues for yourself by providing false information for all their records.
New-Negotiation7234@reddit
Not how it works
redpurplemix@reddit (OP)
I could say the fake name is my preferred name though, right?
idktryagain123@reddit
If it comes down to it, the name on your ID is your deadname. Now you’re a protected party as well
a-lonely-panda@reddit
Yeah, that's not going to help. That can potentially put OP in danger. Source: am actually trans
iButtflap@reddit
protected by a helmet hopefully
Kittymeow123@reddit
Lol wait I love this
ThatsHotHeiress@reddit
My cousin who was a poor person told me to tell them that I’m homeless and don’t have ID or an ssn. It worked for her every time.
PandaDad22@reddit
He has insurance though.
slmrxl@reddit
Medical fraud is illegal, but I'm pretty sure that ERs in America have an obligation to treat you no matter what, under the EMTALA act. That's their only responsibility as opposed to billing. Hospitals typically transfer the debt to collection agencies who hunt you down. Admitting to fraud is just plain stupid. Finish what you started and get out safely. I don't see how a collection agency could trace you if everything was fictitious from the start
JarrekValDuke@reddit
Problem about medical fraud being illegal,
So is a hospital disclosing what was done during your stay,
Can’t commit medical fraud if there’s no proof and they legally can’t give out proof
Griffinej5@reddit
They only need to stabilize you and then they can dump you back onto the street.
monkeywelder@reddit
no balls no blue chips. go for it.
just get up and leave -watch the bed alarm. they are rigged.
JarrekValDuke@reddit
They are easily turned off at the foot of the bed, though if they catch you after that they may request a camera to be put in your room.
JarrekValDuke@reddit
If I ever plan on going to the er in the us again then I don’t have a name, a phone number, or a social security number.
Heavy_Wonder_732@reddit
I've read that this is common enough, I don't think they'll bother you when you're being discharged.
This should not be a problem in the richest country, I feel bad for people who have been robbed of their right to healthcare. Good luck man!
FireBallXLV@reddit
I am worried that you may need to be referred for continued care and this deception will bite you in the tush OP. So while you can wait to fess up if they say you need additional, after the ER care you might need to tell them the truth.
FloppyVachina@reddit
Never confess to a crime. You already started with the lie and you gotta keep it going. You can always dip out if you are too paranoid and try again. It's always a gamble tryin to do shady shit but I dont really think they can do much unless they for some reason have proof of you committing a crime. Even if they know you are lying, they dont know who you are so they cant do much.
Ok-Number-8293@reddit
Just say it’s a mistake due to stress anxiety confusion, stick to your story say as little as possible don’t over explain. Good luck
AbrasiveDad@reddit
I had a cousin die of pneumonia about 10 years ago. He began having respiratory issues and let them develop to the point that someone called a rescue and he died shortly after arriving to the hospital.
Why didn't he go to the hospital when things got bad? No insurance and he was afraid they would discover his drug use. He was 22.
Don't lie or hide shit from medical professionals when your health is at risk.
intelligentlemanager@reddit
Also don't do drugs?
HeyLookATaco@reddit
People are going to do drugs. It can't stop you from going to the ER if you need medical attention. YOU WILL NOT GET IN TROUBLE FOR BEING ON DRUGS. Even if you're not there for the effects of the drugs specifically, tell them what you're on so they can help you.
shootingstare@reddit
Oh boy, I’m glad you warned me. I was about to go out and snort my first line of coke ever. I even planned it to be snorted from the ass crack of a circus clown. I glad you sent me on the right course.
Damian_Killard@reddit
Someone mentions a family member dying:
Your dipshit ass: aLsO dOn’t dO dRUgS
Shut up man, you have no idea what someone is going through, have some damn empathy.
grizzyGR@reddit
The unethical tip would be not to do more than you can handle
MichaelIchan@reddit
I hope your dead cousin rest in piss too stupid motherfucker
WolfmanSkrapz-@reddit
Doctors take a Hippocratic Oath to become doctors. In the oath they promise to provide charity care to people who can’t afford to pay. If I was you I’d hold them to that oath. Somebody’s word is their bond after all
Either_Cupcake_5396@reddit
WolfmanSkrapz-@reddit
“OMG stop w the” dramatic bs! It worked for my family member. Idgaf how you feel. Didn’t ask so why are you flapping off at the beak for??? In my country yeah, the Hippocratic Oath is taken & binding. Charity care... suck it
Ifnwen@reddit
The hospital won't charge you with a crime. They won't report you to law enforcement. #2 all the way, just request your records before discharge- ask the nurses to print your test results, blood work, and imaging, before you leave. Nurses and Doctors want you better and out of their hospital, they don't care that the hospital billing department isn't getting your dollar.
TomBobb@reddit
And ask to pick them up. Don’t ask them to mail it to you lol.
neigelthornberry@reddit
Could’ve asked for charity care, hospitals treat people who can afford it for free all of the time.
realdonaldtrumpsucks@reddit
Mmmmmm. No they don’t.
realdonaldtrumpsucks@reddit
Good for you!
Jennysnumber_8675309@reddit
If you have to come clean...just say you were dizzy and not in your right mind due to the heart issue
dcidino@reddit
I think you’re a hero. If everyone did that, we’d have social medicine for everyone by now.
RadioR77@reddit
Act crazy.. Your stay will be even longer
Ok_Notice2597@reddit
Do what illegal immigrants do! Not pay their E.R bills, and not have a social security number to give
BigMikeInAustin@reddit
Why are you spending your time on Reddit when you know illegal immigrants will take your job, eat your pets, the cartels will take your home, and the jewish space laser will flood you out.
Bron_Swanson@reddit
Have you tried the r/legaladvice sub?
goodjuju123@reddit
Many hospitals have a charity fund. Even if you insurance. Please put your health first.
Moist_Cabbage8832@reddit
Continue with “fraud” the US medical system deserves it
doctorfortoys@reddit
Just give them your real info.
Living_Worldliness47@reddit
Congrats, you've committed insurance fraud. Your best bet right now is to keep up the lie till you're discharged.
ShaantHacikyan@reddit
Literally insurance was never involved.