And that fee itself was $15,666, even though the baby wasn't actually treated for trauma because there was no trauma. He napped, had a bottle of formula, and was fine. Can you believe that?
The incident involves a South Korean family whose 8-month-old son, Park Jeong Whan, fell off a hotel bed during their 2016 vacation in San Francisco. Concerned for his well-being, they called 911, and an ambulance transported them to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. After a brief evaluation, doctors determined the baby was fine, with only minor bruising. He took a nap, drank some formula, and was discharged a few hours later.
TWO years later, the family received a bill for $18,836, which included a $15,666 "trauma activation" fee, despite the lack of intensive trauma care.
This case highlights the issue of exorbitant and seemingly arbitrary trauma fees charged by hospitals. Trauma activation fees are intended to cover the costs of assembling a specialized medical team for severe injuries. However, their application can be inconsistent, leading to significant financial burdens for patients who may not have received extensive trauma services.
Following public scrutiny, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital agreed to waive the $15,666 trauma response fee charged to the family. The hospital's patient experience manager issued an apology and acknowledged the need to review their billing practices.
This incident underscores the importance of transparency in medical billing and the need for patients to be vigilant about understanding and, if necessary, challenging unexpected charges.
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