
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 2, 1993                   TAG: 9307020360
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOSPITAL TRIES TO MEND BILLING ERRORS

IN RESPONSE to Carolyn Click's May 9 article on Connie Mays ("Bill for sling was no joke"):

Yes, our people are not perfect and errors do occur. As director of the Emergency Department, I receive calls almost daily from our Patient Account Representatives questioning charges by our patients. After review of the chart and charges, I ascertain whether they are correct or not. If an error has occurred, I make appropriate changes and the patient is notified. I am sure that there are individuals in the community who can support this response.

Contrary to much information presented by the news media, we are also concerned about health-care costs. Hospital charges reflect costs imposed on us from a variety of sources, from vendors to licensing agencies. We, too, would welcome an end to this unacceptable situation. LYNN A. SMITHSON, R.N. Administrative Director Emergency/Trauma Services Roanoke Memorial Hospitals ROANOKE

by CNB