"Billed by a hospital without receiving any treatment"

I recently shared my experience at a number of hospitals in WA. Part of that experience was about Bunbury Regional Hospital and the connecting St John of God Bunbury Hospital. I had little to say about SJOG Bunbury Hospital, because I did not receive any treatment at this hospital. The only reason they are a part of that experience was because staff from Bunbury Regional Hospital followed me to SJOG Bunbury when I went there to seek better care. I was not admitted, and left without receiving any treatment or medication from them.

However, I have received a bill for $1000 as an inpatient for treatment that they claim I received there! How is this possible? They have no right to bill me, as I was not treated there.

I contacted the St John of God Accounts Department, listed at the top of the bill, to ask them why this had occurred. I explained to them my previous experience, and that I had not been seen by SJOG Bunbury. The accounts staff were lovely, and horrified by the experience I had, and agreed to look into things and have someone call me to get this sorted out. Unfortunately, I have not received a call.

I then contacted my private health insurer, to find out that SJOG Bunbury had made a claim to them, and that they had paid it! They explained that if a hospital bills them, they have to pay them.

I want an explanation as to why St John of God Bunbury Hospital made a claim to my insurer and billed me when they never provided me with any care or treatment whatsoever.