Action: Complications arise from emergency room visit

I was treated at the emergency room of an area hospital on June 10 for complications from an outpatient operation I had that day. The hospital initially sent me a bill for $86.01 as the copayment due. I notified it that I had insurance coverage through GHI that covered the Medicare deductible. I was told to contact GHI concerning the delay in payment, which I did.

In August, I received the Medicare summary notice, which indicated that the coinsurance and deductible due was $41.93. I notified the hospital of this and was subsequently billed for $57.63.

I sent copies of my Medicare notice showing the $41.93, but the hospital continued to bill me for $57.63. Finally, becoming disgusted with this matter, I sent it a check for $41.93. The billing continues for the amount of $57.63.

I am at a loss about what to do. I am covered for this coinsurance by GHI per my retirement benefits from the city of New York. If GHI refuses to pay, then Tricare is obligated to pay under my retirement benefits from the Air Force. I have received no notification from either of a refusal to pay. John Foster

Response: We did not receive a response to either of our letters to Group Health Inc. (GHI) in New York, N.Y., so thanks for your letter notifying us that you have received a check for $41.93 from GHI as repayment for a check that you sent the hospital.

We're still not certain whether the problem originated with the hospital or your insurance carrier but hope it is resolved. Let us know if you continue to receive statements from the hospital, and we will take up the matter with it.

Was headset faulty?

My wife purchased two tickets to a performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall for a show in late February starring Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I have a hearing problem and have to use hearing aids. At best, the aids are marginally helpful in an auditorium such as Ruth Eckerd Hall. There is no way I could enjoy a performance, as I would miss most of the conversations without additional aid. Ruth Eckerd Hall advertises that it has headsets for the hearing impaired, and I have successfully used similar devices elsewhere.

Upon arrival, I immediately checked out a headset and receiver unit. When the show started, I turned on the receiver and discovered that it didn't work. Upon inspection, I saw that the wires from the headset were badly frayed and had become separated. I took it back for exchange. I couldn't believe it when I was told that no replacements were left -- not one spare unit.

I find it inexcusable that this situation could happen. It is the hall's responsibility to either see that these devices are available for all that need them or inform the public in advance that they might not be. What hearing impaired person would purchase a ticket if they thought their ability to enjoy the show would be marginal? Not I!

I could not hear what was going on. I was highly irritated. It destroyed the entire evening for my wife and myself. We paid $110 for two tickets to a show we couldn't enjoy.

I wrote a letter of complaint to PACT Inc., which runs the hall. No one has bothered to respond. I believe that a refund is appropriate. Please see if you can shake up the folks at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Alan Withers

Response: Lex Poppens, director of marketing and communications at Ruth Eckerd Hall, said that he had received a strongly worded letter from you. However, he checked that evening's incident report, where all such complaints are required to be logged, and found no record of you having complained about a headset. He examined all the headsets and found none with frayed wires. He said that these are carefully maintained for safety reasons.

Ruth Eckerd Hall has 20 headsets and 25 receivers. (The additional receivers allow a quick replacement in the event a battery fails.) Due to cost and space, Poppens said, it is not possible for the hall to have headsets for every seat. Each dispute is handled case by case, he said, and you have been offered tickets to a performance of your choosing during the remainder of this season.

-- Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your own attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, (727) 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request.

Requests will be accepted only by mail or voice mail; calls cannot be returned. We will not be responsible for personal documents, so please send only photocopies. If your complaint concerns merchandise ordered by mail, we need copies of both sides of your canceled check.

We may require additional information or prefer to reply by mail; therefore, readers must provide a full mailing address, including ZIP code. Names of letter writers will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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