An elderly
Indiana woman was held hostage in a Mexican hospital which did not
recognize her Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance. She was
attending her granddaughter's wedding in Cancun.
The woman
needed emergency cardiac surgery, and the family had to come up with
$55,000 before she could have surgery. Then the hospital demanded
another $50,000 or so before discharge. Eventually the family, with
help from a Congressman, bought her freedom with another $20,000 and
is still being billed for the large balance.
The
for-profit hospital group is known to the Mexican government for
predatory business and billing practices.
Lessons
learned?
First, U.S.
insurance may be useless in foreign countries. Considering buying
travel health insurance, but remember that travel insurance might not
solve the problem either.
Second, be
careful where you travel. Tell your granddaughter to have her wedding
in good old U.S.A.!
