The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

This letter is to thank the administration of CMC for their prompt concerns and action on my complaint (below). Mike Delgado and the CFO in particular were very helpful. The bill to my kids is cancelled and they are working with Montana Medicaid on payment. Also received apologies for the billing problem and rudeness. Thanks again.

J. Robert Kelton

[Editor’s note: Below is Kelton’s letter to

hospital administrator J. Scott Graham]

Dear Sir:

I am writing to resolve a situation on payment of medical treatment for my two-year-old grandson, Gabriel Kelton. While visiting from Montana, he developed severe breathing difficulties and needed medical attention. A call to the hospital assured us that they, the hospital, would accept Montana Medicaid Insurance. So, rather than drive to Spokane where we knew they would take his insurance, his mother took him in for treatment which involved nebulizer and x-rays with a recommendation to bring him back the next day. This was on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012.

On returning on December 28, 2012, my daughter-in-law was told at the front counter that there was no way they would bill Montana and was treated very rudely with the implication she was just another welfare case. She left without getting follow-up.

CMC claims they are not contracted with Montana Medicaid so they can’t bill them. Montana says just one phone call would get them listed as a contractor.

My son is a first year school teacher in a small Montana town with a low salary. (Well below poverty). He cannot afford several thousand dollars in bills and would have gone to Providence if we had not been assured of coverage.

Your immediate attention and action is requested.

Sincerely,

J. Robert Kelton