My mother was admitted to Bethesda Butler last night. By 8:30 this morning, Tri health finance department reaching out to ask about her annual income and financial standing. Mind you, she presented with her insurance information upon arrival to Bethesda Butler. You would think the vultures would hover a minute at least before swooping down!! It makes you question if care is solely based on income.
Thankfully, sounds like her stay will be very short term.
Very disappointed in Trihealth
By Linda M.
I used to have a very high opinion of TriHealth. Not anymore!
I had heart surgery in February 2025, and I received an unexpected bill in March 2026. I have no idea why it took so long for TriHealth to send me this bill.
Since it was $2,010.88, I could not afford to pay the entire amount at once. Starting in March 2026, I began paying $100 every month. The following are the payment dates (I have receipts):
March 15, 2026
April 15, 2026
May 8, 2026
June 1, 2026
July 1, 2026
In June, I received a call from TriHealth. I confirmed that I'd pay $100 every month because that's all I could afford, and to stop calling.
They said OK.
Then today, out of nowhere, I got a phone call from a collection agency that refused to identify itself. Then I got an email saying that my TriHealth bill, which I had been paying in good faith every month, had been sent to a collection agency. When I called TriHealth to ask why they would do that, someone who called themselves "Melissa" said, "Well, I see you've been paying every month," but wouldn't explain why they had sent it to a collection agency.
They should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the billing department to treat people like this. Is this what they consider "good patient care?" I had paid off a $1300 bill with monthly payments in the past with no issues, but now they decide to involve a collection agency?
I cannot understand the purpose of this cruelty.
Follow-up (August 1)
Yesterday, I sent my monthly payment by check directly to TriHealth -- not a collection agency. I previously told TriHealth by phone that I'd pay them $100 monthly, and they said "OK." The next thing I know, I get a statement from a collection agency. I am going to keep sending my payment directly to TriHealth. I will keep my word and honor our agreement, even if they won't. Why? Because I gave my word. They went back on theirs.
As I told TriHealth's CEO -- and the buck stops with her -- sending my account to a collection agency was unnecessary, and it was cruel. Is this really their idea of good patient relations? Do they really consider this "care?" Newsflash: it's ugly, it's hateful, and it's just plain wrong.
She didn't even bother to reply. She didn't direct anyone to get in touch with me. She didn't try to make it right. She didn't do anything.
I've never not paid my TriHealth bill -- in fact, I'd paid $100 a month on a previous bill until it was paid in full, and they didn't send me to a collection agency then. Why treat me like a deadbeat now when I'm not? Why don't they go after people who never pay a dime? Why treat honest, hardworking patients doing their best like dirt? They should be ashamed of themselves!
I'd always considered Bethesda North the best hospital in the area. I made a point of going to TriHealth for all my health care needs because they felt like family.
Now, it appears I'll have to find new health care providers. TriHealth doesn't seem to realize that patients do have choices. It's highly ironic that every time I'd call to make an appointment, the rep would say, "I promise to take good care of you." Those words are ringing very hollow now.
The Board of Directors should do something about this before this CEO tarnishes their reputation even further!
