Couple Denied Tribal Health Benefits After Costly Emergency

Friday, January 5th 2007, 10:08 am

By: News On 6

A costly medical emergency leaves a young couple heartbroken and unable to pay. With their unborn child's life in the balance, the Jenks couple sought the best care they could and got the worst outcome possible.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin says when the life of someone you love is at risk, the last thing on your mind is the medical bills.

At the advice of their doctor, the couple, always covered by Indian Health care in the past, rushed to the ER, racked up thousands of dollars in bills, then were told they were on their own.

After trying for three years to start a family, Patrick and Erin Matthews were thrilled that the pregnancy was going well. Erin Matthews: "I had just had an ultrasound two weeks prior, they said everything was fine, the baby looked normal, he was a little small for his size, but they didn't see any problem with it."

The couple learned they were having a boy and had just set up a nursery when tragedy struck. Erin started bleeding uncontrollably and the parents-to-be panicked. Patrick Matthews: "She had made it to the bathroom and I called the doctor cause stuff was wrong and he said. I told him I'd try to get her to Claremore Indian Hospital and he said no, call an ambulance."

With her life and the baby's on the line, the Matthew's say Erin's doctor told them to rush her to St Francis. It was the middle of a crisis and no one thought about the cost. Erin Matthews: "No, because they told us anything would be covered if we needed it." Erin went into shock, the EMT's told her any longer and she wouldn't have survived. Doctors helped deliver the baby, but nothing more could be done. "I got to hold him while he was still alive, then they didn't want me to stay on the labor and delivery floor, because they thought it would be too hard on me hearing the other moms and babies."

Still reeling from the pain of losing their son, the Matthews were hit with another shock, word came from the Claremore Indian Hospital their claim for payment was denied.

The hospital said the emergency occurred in the jurisdiction of Creek Nation Contract Health. That agency also refused to help. "Regretfully we have advised you that contract health services cannot pay for the charges for the following reason, funds not available."

Even with a letter from her doctor asking that the couple, "not be held solely responsible for the medical expenses related to this unfortunate situation." still, on appeal their claim was denied.

Erin Matthews: "very disappointing that they don't care." Patrick Matthews: "I'm not asking for a handout, I just need some help."

Creek Nation Health administrators did not return our calls.

The Matthews say they were told the tribe had already spent its budget for the year for outside medical services, and besides, they were told they didn't follow procedure, because Erin didn't first physically visit her doctor that night before going to St. Francis.