FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 22, 2017
Crestview, FL – Today, a class action lawsuit has
been filed against North Okaloosa Medical Center (“NOMC”), one of only a few hospitals in
Okaloosa County, Florida, for outrageously overcharging victims of automobile
accidents for CT Scans performed in its emergency department. This private hospital, owned by Tennessee-based
Community Health Systems (CHS), charges patients who have been in automobile
accidents up to 50 times more than other ER patients for the same scans
and up to 718% more than auto accident victims who are treated by other ERs in
the same community for the same services.
These charges also represent an astonishing 10,000% markup over the
hospital’s Medicare-allowable costs for those scans.
George Washington
MacNeil, a long-time resident of Okaloosa County, has brought this lawsuit on
behalf of himself and other victims of NOMC’s egregious overbilling
practices. Last Fall, Mr. MacNeil was
involved in an automobile accident, causing him serious injuries. More bad luck befell him after paramedics rushed
him to the closest hospital – NOMC.
After three hours, and four routine CT Scans, Mr. MacNeil was sent home
to recover, only to be shocked weeks later when an invoice from NOMC arrived,
charging him over $40,000 for the four scans that were performed. “I was a victim twice over that day. To think a hospital, a place that is supposed
to protect and heal you, would take advantage of me and other car accident
victims like this is unthinkable,” said Mr. MacNeil.
By charging
automobile accident victims exorbitant amounts for CT Scans, the hospital has violated
the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, which prohibits hospitals from charging
such victims unreasonable amounts for medically necessary services. “We are seeking a declaration from the Court
that these charges violate the law, and commend Mr. MacNeil for taking a stand
on behalf of his friends and neighbors who also were overcharged for CT Scans
in the emergency department following a car accident,” said attorney Richard
Bennett.
Plaintiff
George Washington MacNeil is represented by Bennett & Bennett, the Social
Justice Law Collective, and local counsel Powell, Powell & Powell, of
Crestview, Florida. The lawsuit was
filed in Okaloosa County Circuit Court and is entitled George Washington MacNeil v. Crestview Hospital Corporation, d/b/a
North Okaloosa Medical Center.
CONTACT:
Richard Bennett, Bennett & Bennett
(305) 444-5925, richardbennett27@gmail.com,
www.bennettlawmiami.com
Joshua Glickman, Social Justice Law
Collective
(913) 213-3064,
josh@sjlawcollective.com, www.sjlawcollective.com
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