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Vancouver's Providence Health wants $168,460 in hospital bills from two Australians

The bill for an Australian's two-week stay at St. Paul's Hospital has ballooned to $112,732 from an initial bill of $83,086.
St. Paul's Hospital
St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver is run by Providence Health Care Society.

Vancouver’s Providence Health Care Society (PHCS) has filed suits against two Australian women to recoup health-care costs totalling $168,460.

The first suit is against Bronwyn Phillips of Balaclava, in Australia’s state of Victoria.

A May 27 notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court said Philips was admitted to the St. Paul‘s Hospital emergency room May 15, 2019 with her father signing a rate agreement to cover all health-service fees.

She was subsequently transferred to a ward where she remained until May 29.

On July 9, 2019, PHCS delivered an invoice of $83,086 less the $3,675 paid by Phillips’ father for a total payable of $79,411.

The invoice was also mailed to Global Excel Management Inc., a company the claim said has identified itself as Phillips’ insurer.

On Sept. 30, 2019, Global Excel paid $20,529, a letter saying it was the proper amount due and payable.

However, the claim said, Phillips’ debt as of May 25 stood at $112,732.

Second case

The accumulated debt in the second case, against Ian Victor Pearson of Heidelberg in Australia’s state of Victoria, now sits at $55,728.

That claim, also filed May 27, asserts Pearson was admitted to emergency May 26, 2019, and then stayed in a ward until June 1, 2019.

PHCS delivered an invoice for $42,425 minus $1,040 Pearson had paid, for a total bill of $41,385.

The invoice was also mailed to Global Excel Management Inc.

On Nov. 6, 2019, Global Excel paid $12,580, a letter saying it was the proper amount due and payable.

But, said the claim, the balance owing is $55,728.

Both claims said interest continues to accumulate in both cases.

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