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Show Me Your Bill: Burn victim facing $98,000 in surprise charges


Burn victim facing $98,000 in surprise charges (Photo provided by Chris Guess)
Burn victim facing $98,000 in surprise charges (Photo provided by Chris Guess)
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A father rescued from his burning truck by two marines suffered third degree burns. Then, adding to his pain, he receives $98,000 in surprise medical bills.

Trouble Shooter Jaie Avila comes to the man's aid in this weeks "Show Me Your Bill" segment.

Imagine trying to heal from severe burns to 20 percent of your body, while agonizing over how you're going to pay almost $100,000 in medical bills. Chris Guess contacted News 4 after he says he was told his insurance wouldn't pay.

Last October, Chris Guess was told to fast before a medical appointment. He had a diabetic blackout and crashed while driving there.

“My truck caught on fire. I had two marines pull me out of my truck and save my life. Next thing you know I'm waking up in BAMC," Guess told us.

Guess spent 22 days at Brooke Army Medical Center recovering from burns to his face, back, arms and leg, which required skin grafts. He was in extreme pain but was grateful to BAMC doctors and nurses, and the marines who rescued him.

Now, more than six months later, his burns are still healing. And he just received the bill for his treatment: more than $95,000 for the hospital. Another $1,200 for the ambulance. And $2,000 for compression garments to help his skin heal. A total of almost $99,000.

Chris says no one ever mentioned any problem with his insurance, until he called United Healthcare about the bills.

“He goes, that hospital is out of network and we're not covering any of the bills from the hospital, I mean you can imagine my jaw dropped you know," Guess said.

He says he was told the ambulance and compression garments weren’t covered either. Leaving Guess wondering how a patient who's unconscious can be expected to select in-network medical providers.

“Sometimes you don't have a choice where you're taken. It's life or death. And it seems like the insurance companies are just trying to dodge the bill after accepting our premiums for years," Guess said.

We went to work for Chris and contacted United Healthcare and Brooke Army Medical Center. BAMC responded: "We assured Mr. Guess that BAMC has submitted all charges to his insurance carrier and those multiple charges are still in various stages of processing."

United Healthcare also sent a statement: “We received Mr. Guess's bill from this out-of-network facility on June 6 and are working to resolve this outstanding claim. We will support him as he continues to recover and to address his on-going care needs under his plan.”

Guess says the insurance company called him and has now offered to pay half the hospital bill. Meaning Chris would still be on the hook for about $50,000.

He says United Healthcare still won't pay for those compression garments, which he must wear around the clock. The doctor prescribed three sets, but without help from insurance, Chris has had to make due with one set he must wash every day.

We'll keep working on Chris's behalf and bring you updates on his case, which illustrates how patients can be left struggling with debt long after an emergency.

Here is the complete statement from Brooke Army Medical Center:

“Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is committed to providing the best possible care, in both its clinical and administrative processes, to military families and civilian trauma patients.

Upon notification of Mr. Guess' billing concerns, we immediately reached out to Mr. Guess to provide clarification and information. We assured Mr. Guess that BAMC has submitted all charges to his insurance carrier and those multiple charges are still in various stages of processing. BAMC stands ready to provide additional documentation as needed to assist the insurance carrier in processing the claim and to ensure we fully address all of Mr. Guess' questions.

We encourage our patients to call the BAMC Uniform Business Office (UBO) if they have any billing questions/concerns and also to reach out to their insurance to clarify their policy and coverage. To contact UBO, email usarmy.jbsa.medcom-bamc.mbx.msa-billing@mail.mil or call 916-8563/5772. UBO

can help validate bills and assist with insurance claims and payment plans. As billing can be a confusing and complicated process, we are working diligently to educate our patients prior to discharge to provide them with the necessary points of contact to aid in their navigation of this process.”

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