Vancouver-based Providence Health Care is suing a New Zealand woman for $48,903 after she was treated at the St. Paul’s Hospital emergency room in the winter of 2019.
A B.C. Supreme Court notice of civil claim filed on Dec. 9 said Lillian Wrigglesworth is not a resident of Canada and is not covered by B.C.’s Medical Services Plan.
Court documents state Wrigglesworth received care Dec. 21-24, 2019, and that she or her representative signed a payment agreement.
The claim said Wrigglesworth was invoiced $45,987 for her care. The invoice was sent to Global Excel Management, the company she had an insurance policy with.
The claim said Global paid $21,973 on Sept. 3, saying that reflected the proper amount payable.
The interest rate on such agreements is two per cent per month.
Under B.C.’s Hospital Insurance Act, the claim said, the government is not liable for payment of providing services or treatment to those not a beneficiary under the provincial Medicare Protection Act.
It asserts the invoice amount was computed based on rates approved by the health minister.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
