Dixie Stinson traveled to Cancún with her husband for their granddaughter’s wedding. Ms. Stinson lost consciousness Aug. 1 and was transported to Amerimed Cancún Hospital. Ms. Stinson needed two operations for blocked arteries, and her family said the hospital required them to pay about $55,000 upfront before she could receive treatment. Ms. Stinson has Medicare and AARP insurance, but the hospital did not accept either.
Both operations were successful, but Ms. Stinson’s daughter claimed hospital administrators refused to release her mother until a significant portion of her bill was paid. The bill had grown to more than $100,000 as of Saturday. If the family didn’t come up with the money, hospital administrators allegedly said they would have Ms. Stinson’s husband arrested.
After learning of the situation, Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) entered into talks with the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Mexico. Thanks to his efforts, Ms. Stinson was cleared to leave the hospital over the weekend, according to the report.
Ms. Stinson’s husband told WISH-TV that the couple expects to owe around $120,000 to the hospital when they return home.
Earlier this week, Gabriela Martínez Hernández, a lawyer for Amerimed Cancún Hospital, issued a statement saying the hospital “never has, and never will, refuse to release a nonpaying patient for financial reasons. It is unethical and against the law.”
Amerimed Cancún Hospital is part of Amerimed Hospitales, a chain of private hospitals throughout Mexico. Two of the system’s facilities in Los Cabos were closed down by Mexican officials earlier this year due to predatory business practices and billing.
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