hospital stay and costs

U

UKa

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My girl has been referred for a bone scan at the hospital. We were given an appointment for yesterday at 4pm. When we got to the hospital they basically just admitted us and sent her to bed, saying that work would not start until today. Then I get a call this morning that due to technical problems they won't be able to scan her today and that hopefully it will be possible tomorrow but that she was fine in herself...and that it wasn't 100% sure they could do tomorrow either...

Now, of course it annoys me that she has to stay in the hospital for longer than necessary for her sake but also am worried bout the cost. I am not in the position to drive her back and forth as relying on others to transport me but an extended stay of this nature will that be covered by insurance? It is not exactly my choice she is staying as long...

Any ideas?
 
It would depend on the insurance company as to whether any hospitalisation costs would be covered. I know some insurances dont cover this or only pay half so you would need to check. I would be annoyed too. Livery at hospital is expensive and even if it is covered will be eating up on your limit. Have you spoke to the hospital about this?? I think due to the circumstances in that you were given an appointment where you could have had the treatment and gone home with no costs, and due to their "fault" you will have added costs that they should come to some aggreement with you. very unfair.
 
Its standard practice for horses to be admitted the night before the bone scan - however it sounds as if you had no idea that it wouldnt be done then (though I think the clue was in yesterday being a bank holiday) - it should have been explained.
You cant just turn up for a bone scan and go home - something Im sure you already know. Horses must be kept at the hospital for a minimum of 48hrs to allow the radioactive substanec injected time to decay.
However I would ask for the extra nights to be taken off your bill. How far are you actually based from the hospital? Were you given the option of bringing him home and back again when the scan can be carried out? - because then it may be seen that the extra nights stabling were for your convenience rather than the hospitals problems.
 
An identical situation recently happened to a friend of mine - a bone scan was delayed. She spoke to the practice and they agreed to waive the extra livery fee, as it was only after she arrived at the scheduled time they informed her of the delay. Stay calm, be polite & good luck! And hope the scan shows/ doesn 't show what you want.
 
Insurers usually don't cover the "hotel" costs, ie feed and bedding that the horse would have needed wherever he was. If you ask the hospital they will break the invoice down into ""nursing" and "hotel" costs. The insurers should then pay the nursing charge.
 
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