Curious what you think?

[JessicaR]

We were on a cruise last week. The last night of the cruise at approximately 11P my 17 year old son tripped on his own feet in the teen club.Hit his head on the edge of the ping pong table. Initially he had no idea he was injured until another kid told him he was bleeding. Ironically my son was heading back to his cabin as I was heading to mine. I saw all the blood washed it down and headed to first aid. He had a nice gash right on the eyebrow. I figured stitches were going to be necessary.

So we walk in the "nurse"? triage's and calls the doctor. Doc says has to be stitched. The form I filled out I'm sure flipped them out because my son has many drug allergies. Nurse says over and over how did it happen. Repeatedly he tells her he tripped. Finally she says thats what they all say until they sue us!

The Dr comes in asks a million drug allergy questions (dont blame him). Numbs him up and sutures the injury. We go to leave and I hand her my medical card. Nope doesn't want it doesn't want anything from me!

Odd or no?

 

[golfgal]

Odd, no, not in today's society with everyone out to make a quick dime.

 

[JessicaR]

Odd, no, not in today's society with everyone out to make a quick dime.

So like we are thinking if they take no info from us it didnt happen? I just can't figure out why they didnt want to bill our medical?

 

[jenrose66]

I don't think it's odd. People sue over everything these days. Many times people will be walking around in the store in flip flops, trip over them...say they are fine and then sue for massive injuries. If I had to guess, the cruise ship will probably file a liability claim with their insurance company just in case you decide to file suit against them for a slippery floor, too dark room, rude nurse etc... She shouldn't have insinuated you were gonna sue them. Now I'd sue them out of spite for being rude.

Hope your son heals up fast.

 

[golfgal]

So like we are thinking if they take no info from us it didnt happen? I just can't figure out why they didnt want to bill our medical?

Because if they were nice to you and didn't charge you you might think twice about suing.

 

[Jennasis]

Maybe basic medical stuff is covered? Or maybe they were hoping that by not billing you, you'd not pursue legal action.

Dunno...just be happy your son is okay and you got some free medical care!

Also, where is the ship's registry? Is it a country with a Nat'l Health Care system? Maybe they just cover it?

 

[MizTink]

We were on a cruise last week. The last night of the cruise at approximately 11P my 17 year old son tripped on his own feet in the teen club.Hit his head on the edge of the ping pong table. Initially he had no idea he was injured until another kid told him he was bleeding. Ironically my son was heading back to his cabin as I was heading to mine. I saw all the blood washed it down and headed to first aid. He had a nice gash right on the eyebrow. I figured stitches were going to be necessary.

So we walk in the "nurse"? triage's and calls the doctor. Doc says has to be stitched. The form I filled out I'm sure flipped them out because my son has many drug allergies. Nurse says over and over how did it happen. Repeatedly he tells her he tripped. Finally she says thats what they all say until they sue us!

The Dr comes in asks a million drug allergy questions (dont blame him). Numbs him up and sutures the injury. We go to leave and I hand her my medical card. Nope doesn't want it doesn't want anything from me!

Odd or no?

do you want or plan to sue them?
if not then i don't think it would matter one way or another......

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

So like we are thinking if they take no info from us it didnt happen? I just can't figure out why they didnt want to bill our medical?

I think that many people who sue are forced to do so by their insurance. My son had a major medical issue that came as a result of a drug reaction. The drug he took was exactly the right dose for a child his age, the ONLY accepted treatment for the condition he had (and it worked for that) and there was no indication that it wouldn't work for him. He just had really bad luck and ended up with a rare complication of a rare side effect. My insurance company still asked me a bunch of questions and double and tripled checked that they couldn't sue for malpractice.

So, they're probably worried that your insurance company will sue them, after all maybe the boat swayed slightly and caused him to trip or something . . .

 

[JessicaR]

do you want or plan to sue them?
if not then i don't think it would matter one way or another......

It was never a consideration to sue them and I signed and stated so prior to the doctor even seeing him. I just found it very odd that they didnt want my medical information or anything at all for that matter.

 

[JessicaR]

I think that many people who sue are forced to do so by their insurance. My son had a major medical issue that came as a result of a drug reaction. The drug he took was exactly the right dose for a child his age, the ONLY accepted treatment for the condition he had (and it worked for that) and there was no indication that it wouldn't work for him. He just had really bad luck and ended up with a rare complication of a rare side effect. My insurance company still asked me a bunch of questions and double and tripled checked that they couldn't sue for malpractice.

So, they're probably worried that your insurance company will sue them, after all maybe the boat swayed slightly and caused him to trip or something . . .

Now this makes some sense!

 

[golfgal]

It was never a consideration to sue them and I signed and stated so prior to the doctor even seeing him. I just found it very odd that they didnt want my medical information or anything at all for that matter.

See, you think like a reasonable person which is why this is stumping you so much. There are other people out there that would have IMMEDIATELY though, $$$$$$$. They may have been all nice and happy at the dr and then as soon as they got home called an 800 lawyer line. Frivolous lawsuits cost companies MILLIONS even if they settle so anything they can do to avoid them they will.

 

[krcit]

Hmmm, I know that my friends son got strep throat on a cruise and it cost them about $300. Maybe injuries are different

 

[HeatherH]

Cruise line medical facilities do NOT bill your insurance. That's why they didn't take your card from you, they would have no reason for it. What they should give you is an itemized bill (if they charged you) that you can submit yourself.

It sounds like they thought that perhaps they were at fault (even though your son says they were not) and they just did not charge you. That's not all that unusual. Some cruise lines do not charge for medical visits during outbreaks of norovirus onboard. They'd rather control the outbreak by people being honest and reporting to the medical facilities, and will provide the appropriate meds to help with the symptoms without charge.

Overall, I don't think the situation was odd at all.

 

[golfgal]

I think that many people who sue are forced to do so by their insurance. My son had a major medical issue that came as a result of a drug reaction. The drug he took was exactly the right dose for a child his age, the ONLY accepted treatment for the condition he had (and it worked for that) and there was no indication that it wouldn't work for him. He just had really bad luck and ended up with a rare complication of a rare side effect. My insurance company still asked me a bunch of questions and double and tripled checked that they couldn't sue for malpractice.

So, they're probably worried that your insurance company will sue them, after all maybe the boat swayed slightly and caused him to trip or something . . .

In the insurance world the key is to find out which insurance company is responsible to pay-period. When one insurance company gets money from another insurance company it is subrogation, not suing. It is standard practice in the insurance industry and it doesn't mean they are going after millions and millions of dollars-they will just go after what is owed. It would be the same thing as if you were in a car accident and needed stitches-your AUTO insurance would pay the medical bills, not your health insurance. If it were really a case of malpractice for your son, you bet that dr's insurance should be paying for all of his medical care for the rest of his life.

 

[JessicaR]

Maybe basic medical stuff is covered? Or maybe they were hoping that by not billing you, you'd not pursue legal action.

Dunno...just be happy your son is okay and you got some free medical care!

Also, where is the ship's registry? Is it a country with a Nat'l Health Care system? Maybe they just cover it?

Of course I am happy my son is OK. But, as far as free medical care,no I dont think so whether they billed my insurance company or not we still pay a hefty monthly premium. Nothing is free.

 

[Jennasis]

Of course I am happy my son is OK. But, as far as free medical care,no I dont think so whether they billed my insurance company or not we still pay a hefty monthly premium. Nothing is free.

They didn't bill your insurance and did not bill you yourself. Does that not equal free treatment of his medical problem on the cruise ship?

Enjoy the freebie, because now (like me) you're back to paying those big premiums at home.

 

[C.Ann]

So like we are thinking if they take no info from us it didnt happen? I just can't figure out why they didnt want to bill our medical?

Your medical insurance would just go after them for payment anyhow because it happened on their "property".. So - she just saved you - and them - a bunch of paper work..

 

[JessicaR]

They didn't bill your insurance and did not bill you yourself. Does that not equal free treatment of his medical problem on the cruise ship?

Enjoy the freebie, because now (like me) you're back to paying those big premiums at home.

I guess I'm missing the point here. If they billed me, my insurance covers it because that is what I pay 1520.00 a month for. If they billed my insurance same difference, no? Where is the freebie?

 

[JessicaR]

Your medical insurance would just go after them for payment anyhow because it happened on their "property".. So - she just saved you - and them - a bunch of paper work..

Ohhh so I was saved paperwork. The paperwork I filled out prior to them treating him?

 

[Jennasis]

I guess I'm missing the point here. If they billed me, my insurance covers it because that is what I pay 1520.00 a month for. If they billed my insurance same difference, no? Where is the freebie?

It's free cause they didn't bill anybody. Dear lord, why are you being difficult with me?? What did I do??? This may be the first time somebody is being argumentative with me for being happy for them.