I thought the Canadians heath care was great?

jaminjim · Jan 20, 2012

Why doesn't she have the Canadian health coverage? I thought all of them were covered.

But to me the real kicker of the article is that the medical bills are so high. How can someone justify that high of a bill for less than ten days in the hospital?

Sarah Burke's family has to pay extensive medical bills

Sarah Burke's family has to pay extensive medical bills - latimes.com

Sarah Burke died Thursday after succumbing to injuries that she sustained on Jan. 10 during a ski crash in Utah.

In addition to dealing with the tragedy, Burke's husband and parents will be burdened with monster medical bills because the 29-year-old was placed on life support and underwent surgery during her extended hospital stay.

A website was set up to solicit donations to help cover the costs. The goal is to raise $550,000. As of 10:36 a.m. PST, the site says it's 20% of the way there, at $108,999.

Burke, a four-time Winter X Games champion, was considered a pioneer in her sport and helped bring women's superpipe skiing to the X Games.

Here is a statement from the website: "Sarah brought worldwide recognition and validation to the sport she so loved. Every ski athlete chosen to represent his or her country at the 2014 Sochi Olympics will feel her influence. Without her, the sport of freeskiing would not be included."

OntarioVanMan · Jan 20, 2012

jaminjim said:
Why doesn't she have the Canadian health coverage? I thought all of them were covered.

But to me the real kicker of the article is that the medical bills are so high. How can someone justify that high of a bill for less than ten days in the hospital?

Sarah Burke's family has to pay extensive medical bills

Sarah Burke's family has to pay extensive medical bills - latimes.com

You are not covered outside the country....you have to buy extra coverage....CAA or as you know it AAA sells it...

and just an added thought...I don't know why they are worried about it....the US hospitals can not collect from her anyhow...US collections are not recognized in Canada, as they are not here...

scottm4211 · Jan 20, 2012

It is great so neener neener.

greg334 · Jan 20, 2012

Well outside the fact this was an injury caused while performance by a 'professional' who should have been covered by private insurance, as ovm said the us hospital can't collect.

jaminjim · Jan 20, 2012

OntarioVanMan said:
and just an added thought...I don't know why they are worried about it....the US hospitals can not collect from her

Yep, she is pretty much dead, won't get any checks signed by her.

anyhow...US collections are not recognized in Canada, as they are not here...

So if her husband wants intentionally skip out on what he owes people for trying to save his wife's life it's all good.... right?

OntarioVanMan · Jan 20, 2012

jaminjim said:
Yep, she is pretty much dead, won't get any checks signed by her. So if her husband wants intentionally skip out on what he owes people for trying to save his wife's life it's all good.... right?

Nope not right...they should make a deal with the hospital...In some cases the province could pay up to the amount that they would cover in her province of residence a lot of paperwork and appealing but I've heard they will do it...and they be responsible for the balance...

cableguymn · Jan 20, 2012

OntarioVanMan said:
You are not covered outside the country....you have to buy extra coverage....CAA or as you know it AAA sells it...

and just an added thought...I don't know why they are worried about it....the US hospitals can not collect from her anyhow...US collections are not recognized in Canada, as they are not here...

How are they going to collect from a dead adult awyways?

OntarioVanMan · Jan 20, 2012

cableguymn said:
How are they going to collect from a dead adult awyways?

They can't....

cableguymn · Jan 21, 2012

OntarioVanMan said:
They can't....

You win some.. you loose some. and in medicine.. when you loose um, you better hope you got payment up front.

AMonger · Jan 21, 2012

OntarioVanMan said:
They can't....

Oh, man, remember that bit that was going around the net a few years ago in which the guy calls up a credit card CS line to inform them that the cardholder died, and they didn't know how to process it? That was a scream:

A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.

Here is the exchange:

Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'

Citibank : 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member: 'Maybe you should turn it over to collections.'

Citibank : 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'

Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'

Citibank : 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'

Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'

Citibank : 'Excuse me?'

Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'

Citibank : 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'

Citibank : 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

Citibank : (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member: 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)

Citibank: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member: 'Sure.' (Fax number was given)

After they get the fax :

Citibank: 'Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help.'

Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'

Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply.'

(What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?'

Citibank : 'That might help....'

Family Member: ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'

Citibank : 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member: 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'

And you wondered why Citi Bank needed help from the Feds?

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.