Let’s shine some light on malicious, despicable, and CRIMINAL billing practices currently perpetrated by a certain medical facility. Here’s what Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (GRMC) in Texas just did: I see a cardiologist in town once a year. This year’s appointment with him (about two weeks ago) included a referral for a procedure to be conducted outside of his office – an echocardiogram/ultrasound (one or both) at the hospital facility GRMC in downtown Seguin, Texas. GRMC contacted me by text the day prior to the appointment, to answer their questions and to sign agreements through their automated system. At the end of the question and signature process, they included the fee for the procedure - $2047. Outrageously overinflated, but whatever. That’s where we are. I would have paid what they asked, and intended to. But the system wanted payment over the phone, which I was not going to provide. I didn’t even know exactly what I was paying for at the time, and intended to learn the specifics when I arrived at the facility for the appointment the following day. But bear in mind, I was only learning about the actual fee about 24 hours before being handed the bill. I’m self-pay – I do not and will not participate in the fraudulent scam which health insurance has become in this country. Self-pay used to mean you could expect a somewhat more reasonable bill for services rendered in the medical industry. No longer is that the case. I closed out of the text window without submitting the requested payment for the reasons stated. About 20 minutes later I received a phone call from a GRMC representative who quickly informed me that the quoted fee of $2047 was only an estimate, and that if payment was not submitted in full prior to the procedure, I would be charged an additional EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS. I had intended to pay half upon my arrival at their facility, and would agree to pay the other half next month. I said to the rep on the phone, “I don’t believe I heard you correctly, so could you please repeat what you just said? My intention is to pay half of this bill I’m only now learning about one day before the procedure, and then pay the other half next month. Did you just tell me that you’ll charge me an additional $800 to do so?” The rep confirmed that is indeed what she said. This earned her about two minutes of my very emphatic displeasure, wherein I used terms like “disgusting” and “malevolent” and “criminal.” I reminded her that the people in this country who don’t have insurance are generally among those already on a razor’s edge, and that they’re the ones who can LEAST afford to be stolen from by their medical providers. She then asked me if she could have her manager call me. I responded that she could have whomever she liked call me. About 15 minutes later the same woman called back. She said to me her manager had waived the additional $800 charge if I would pay half on arrival and half next month. Just like that. So their disgusting and inflated penalty fee was purely arbitrary and unnecessary, a figment of their own predatory business model, and only imposed upon people foolish enough to accept it and pay it without objection. “That’s nice,” I replied, “except now I don’t trust you and I don’t believe what you say. You just tried to steal from me. Should I just accept your pricing for this service now? How do I know you won't arbitrarily inflate your fee yet further, during or after the procedure? You conduct business like criminals. So no, I don’t trust you or the company you work for. Cancel the appointment. I won’t do business with people who behave like you do. Ever.” I then immediately contacted the cardiologist’s office and informed them of this encounter, and the lady to whom I was speaking audibly gasped when I told her about the additional $800 charge for anyone who wanted to make partial payments to GRMC. There isn’t anything standard about this unconscionable business practice. This is obscene and grotesque – and it makes no difference that GRMC so easily waived the fee after some stiff pushback. When I explained the situation to the lady from the cardiologist’s office, I told her to make SURE that the doctor himself was made aware of this behavior from the medical group to whom he was sending his patients. Because I very much doubt that he had any idea. And GRMC? Save your apologies. I’m not interested and I wouldn’t believe you anyway. This is the way you conduct business with people without insurance. Your business practices are predatory and vile. You’re trying to STEAL from those who can least afford it. And you’re doing it to those who come to your facility because they have to. So now I’ll make it my mission to let everyone know about this – as many as I can, and I’m resourceful and creative – and hopefully your already questionable reputation takes the appropriate hit. You deserve it. I’ll be posting this on Instagram and Facebook as well. And I’ll be asking folks I know with large social media accounts on all platforms to drive traffic to this and the other posts. I’ll be posting a review on Yelp and anywhere else I think might have the impact I’m looking for. The more people I can make aware of your detestable ways, the better. Jed Bozza, Guadalupe County, Texas @GRMCHospital

Remember. And take heed. If your love doesn't come with you to the end of the race... ...you will NEVER pass through that narrow gate.

Facts. And it makes no difference whether they do it through ignorance, incompetence, or malevolence. The outcome is the same in all cases.

GROK!!! What the hell are all these charges on my card I never authorized?!?!? And what the hell do you need so much enriched concentrated tritium gas for?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣

An Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

OOOO Nellie. That's a tricky one. These boys just might get reamed for NOT breaking protocol. 🤣🤣🤣

You are beyond excuse if you still can't see what this is. So you shouldn't bother giving any excuses In That Day.

Maestro never misses. 🤣🤣🤣