My dear Eddie, 1: You are quite right. As far as I an concerned, the man's passport has been stolen by the doctor. It is theft - a criminal offence.
Furthermore 2: Insurance is always purchased before it is needed. Any problem/injury which has occurred BEFORE the insurance is validated is a 'pre-existing condition' and NO insurance company I know will cover that problem/injury. 3: A doctor seeing and treating such a patient MUST do his due diligence and VERIFY with the Insurance company .... providing the likely ICD-9 (disease codes) and the likely CPT (procedural terminal) BEFORE he takes care of the problem (except in a life-threatening situation). A proper Insurance Company is likely to ask the doctor for the expected charge and advise what the patient's liability (in terms of deductible or copay) would be.....and what charge the Insurance Company would consider 'Customary and Reasonable" for the CPT code indicated. 4: IF a doctor accepts a patient without VERIFICATION of Insurance coverage .... It is HIS problem IF he does not get paid. 5: This assumes also that the doctor provided the correct ICD -9 and CPT codes and the CORRECT DATE in his claim form. 6: What do 'we' believe an Insurance Company would do ....IF the CORRECT DATE was placed on the claim form? *** I will suggest that it is in Jawaharlal's interest to return this passport to the chap immediately instead of escalating this .... >From what I know of some folks, they are mad enough to do anything. *** And what do we believe the Medical Association, the Medical Council and the Patracar lot should do about this? Remember: Some days ago, it was a Russian, Tomorrow, it could be us! jc On 5 May 2012 12:09, Eddie Fernandes <[email protected]> wrote: The implication seems to be that the Russian tourist got drunk, met with an accident. He then went online bought travel insurance and his claim has been refused. Of course, seizing a passport is questionable if not a criminal offence... ============= Goa: Doctor seizes passport of Russian tourist for non-payment of $ 7000 3 May: Gazeta (Russia), Dr Jawaharlal Henriques (photo) of St. Anthony Hospital & Research Centre in Goa took the passport of Russian tourist Alexander Tkachev who he treated and does not intend to return it untilTkachev or his insurance company pays . The case has been widely discussed in Russian newspapers, TV etc. See http://bit.ly/JTJCHs
