Aug 8, 2006 10:55 pm US/Central
Parkland Patient Has To Pay Hospital Back $100,000
by Jack Fink
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Dallas County has prosecuted a breast cancer survivor accused of lying about her ability to pay for healthcare at Parkland Hospital.
The woman has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay the hospital back more than $100,000.
Administrators at Parkland say they're cracking down on cheats so they can keep caring for those who
really can't afford it, but the man representing Nila Rana says she should not have been prosecuted.
"She had breast cancer. She had no health insurance, she had no money she could free up at the time to go get health insurance or to get coverage and she was dying," said Rana's attorney, Scott Palmer.
Nearly two years ago, Nila Rana found herself in a desperate situation, so she went to Parkland Hospital. Now, she finds herself in court admitting to a second degree felony and that she lied to the hospital about her income so she could receive free treatment.
That treatment cost Parkland nearly $120,000.
As part of her plea, Rana received 10 years probation and must fully reimburse Parkland. She gave the court a check for the first payment - $20,000.
"We looked at the circumstances, and felt that the paperwork was indicative of a fraud and the amount of money was significant enough," said Eric Mountin, Dallas Assistant District Attorney.
Parkland officials say the hospital loses several million dollars each year because of patients who cheat the system. So far this year the hospital has referred 120 cases to the DA's office.
Prosecutors say this and other cases became crimes because patients lied about their ability to pay when filling out applications for charity care. Administrators say they will work with patients as long as they're honest.
"We obviously want people to receive the healthcare they need. If people will be upfront with us about your circumstances, we will try to find some way of getting this done," said Parkland Chief Financial Officer, John Gates.
As for Nila Rana, her attorney says she's devastated. "This whole thing has traumatized her to the sense that she doesn't want to be branded as a criminal."
All patients who fill out an application for charitable care are audited and have their identities, addresses, and income verified.
Currently Parkland is trying to get surrounding counties and the country of Mexico to reimburse it for emergency care provided to their residents.
(CBS 11 News)
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