Memorial Hermann: Suing Patients Over Unpaid Hospital Bills?

Memorial Hermann is a non-profit hospital that has provided millions of dollars in charity care to people in the Greater Houston region, regardless of their ability to pay. Seeking relief through the court system is rare and a last resort for the hospital. They offer a generous financial assistance policy for all uninsured patients who apply and qualify for the program. Patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) receive free care, while those between 201% and 400% of the FPL are offered discounts. However, some patients have expressed concerns about high hospital bills, with one patient receiving a $22K bill for an ER visit, including $15K for a CT scan and $5K for emergency services. While Memorial Hermann has financial assistance programs, patients may still face challenges in negotiating lower bills or resolving disputes without legal action.

Memorial Hermann has sued patients for unpaid bills in the past

Memorial Hermann is a non-profit hospital that has sued patients for unpaid bills in the past. Seeking relief through the court system is rare and a last resort for Memorial Hermann. They only take such legal action after determining whether patients qualify for financial assistance and making multiple attempts to collect payment from individuals who appear to have the resources to pay but do not.

In 2012, an uninsured patient was sued for a bill of over $400,000. In another instance, a patient received a bill of $22,000 for an ER visit, with charges including $15,000 for a CT scan and $5,000 for emergency services. This patient considered taking the case to small claims court to revise the bill.

Memorial Hermann offers a generous Financial Assistance Policy for all uninsured patients who apply and qualify for the program. Patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level receive free care, while those between 200% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level are offered a discount. On average, in 2025, households under 204% of the Federal Poverty Level qualified for free care, and families under 322% qualified for discounted care.

Memorial Hermann has a long history of providing millions of dollars in charity care to people in the Greater Houston region, regardless of their ability to pay. They also waive a lot of medical bills, especially for patients who end up at the trauma center. If you receive a bill from Memorial Hermann and believe it to be incorrect, you can contact them at (713) 338-5566.

They offer financial assistance for low-income patients

Memorial Hermann, a safety net hospital in the Greater Houston region, offers financial assistance to low-income patients through its Financial Assistance Policy (FAP). This policy provides a framework for granting financial assistance to patients receiving care at Memorial Hermann hospitals. The FAP applies to all emergency or medically necessary care and offers discounts to uninsured patients. Memorial Hermann conducts Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) every three years to prioritize the needs of the community and set hospital-specific goals and strategies.

Memorial Hermann's FAP is designed to help patients who are unable to pay their medical bills due to financial hardship. Eligibility for financial assistance is generally determined using the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), with patients earning up to 400% of the FPG qualifying for assistance. Applicants must be Texas residents and have received care at a Memorial Hermann facility. Uninsured patients and those with high medical costs, regardless of insurance status, may apply for assistance. Memorial Hermann also offers payment plans and has financial counselors available to assist patients with the application process and discuss payment options.

To be considered for the financial assistance program, patients are required to provide financial information for their household, including their most recent Federal Income Tax Return. Additional supporting documentation, such as employer paycheck stubs, bank statements, and other public or personal records, may also be requested to verify income and financial need. Memorial Hermann's financial assistance program ensures that patients receive necessary medical care, regardless of their financial situation.

While Memorial Hermann does have a history of billing and collecting payments for services rendered, they offer a generous Financial Assistance Policy for uninsured patients who apply and qualify for the program. Federal and state laws governing non-profit healthcare facilities mandate that patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) receive free care. Memorial Hermann goes beyond this requirement by offering financial assistance to patients up to 400% of the FPL. Seeking legal action against patients for unpaid bills is a last resort for Memorial Hermann, and they only pursue such action after reasonable efforts to determine eligibility for financial assistance and multiple attempts to collect payment have been made.

Patients have sued Memorial Hermann for medical malpractice

Another potential factor contributing to medical malpractice claims against Memorial Hermann is its affiliation with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). As a teaching hospital, Memorial Hermann utilizes many medical students and residents in providing patient care. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this approach, inadequate supervision by attending physicians or faculty members can lead to medical negligence.

In addition, patients or their family members may seek legal representation from experienced Houston, Texas medical malpractice attorneys when dealing with potential medical malpractice cases at Memorial Hermann hospitals. These attorneys are familiar with the intricacies of filing lawsuits against Memorial Hermann and can provide guidance and support to those affected by questionable care or negligence.

It is important to note that seeking legal recourse through the court system is a rare and last resort for Memorial Hermann. They only pursue legal action against patients for unpaid bills after reasonable efforts to determine eligibility for financial assistance and multiple attempts to collect payment have been exhausted. Memorial Hermann offers financial assistance and discounts to patients based on their income levels and has a long history of providing charity care to the community.

They are the largest non-profit health conglomerate in southeast Texas

Memorial Hermann is a non-profit health conglomerate that provides healthcare services to a large number of patients in southeast Texas. It is one of the largest safety-net hospitals in the region, having served over 1.7 million patients in the fiscal year 2014. As a non-profit organization, Memorial Hermann offers financial assistance and discounted care to patients who are uninsured or have limited financial resources. They provide free care to patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and offer discounts to those between 200% and 400% of the FPL.

While Memorial Hermann does seek payment for services rendered, they have a generous Financial Assistance Policy and are committed to helping patients resolve their medical bills. Patients facing financial difficulties can contact the hospital to discuss payment options and explore alternatives such as charity care or victim's compensation. Memorial Hermann is known for waiving or reducing medical bills for those in need, especially in emergency situations.

However, in certain rare cases, Memorial Hermann may resort to legal action to collect payment from patients who appear to have the resources to pay but fail to do so. Seeking relief through the court system is a last resort for the hospital, and they only pursue legal action after reasonable efforts to determine financial assistance eligibility and multiple attempts to collect payment have been made.

Memorial Hermann has faced criticism for its billing practices, with some patients questioning the fairness of their charges. Patients who believe they have been incorrectly billed are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to discuss their concerns and explore options for bill reduction. Additionally, patients have the right to seek legal assistance and take their cases to small claims court if they believe the fees are unreasonable.

As one of the largest non-profit health conglomerates in southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to the community. While billing and payment collection are necessary aspects of their operations, they strive to balance financial stewardship with their commitment to serving those in need, including the uninsured and under-insured populations in the region.

They have been involved in other lawsuits, such as Guzman v. Memorial Hermann Hospital System and violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law

In February 2006, Guzman's seven-year-old son, "T", fell ill. He was taken to the emergency room at Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas, where he underwent a physical examination by Dr. Haynes. Dr. Haynes recorded T's medical history, noting that he had been coughing and vomiting and was complaining of nausea. T's fever, vomiting, and nausea persisted, and he was brought back to the Memorial Hermann emergency room the following morning.

Dr. Haynes discharged T without reviewing the results of his white blood cell differential test, which indicated a bacterial infection. As a result, Dr. Haynes did not prescribe antibiotics. This failure to review the test results formed the basis of the lawsuit Guzman v. Memorial Hermann Hospital System.

Guzman alleged that Memorial Hermann was negligent in failing to provide adequate procedures for reporting lab results and recalling patients with abnormal results. She also claimed that the hospital failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination, stabilise T's condition before discharging him, and provide an appropriate and timely transfer.

Memorial Hermann moved for summary judgment on Guzman's EMTALA claims, and Guzman responded by moving for a continuance to conduct discovery. The district court denied the Guzmans' motion, and Memorial Hermann filed a supplemental reply.

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