Paying a $233 ambulance bill will be a problem for 98-year-old Reta Turner, a resident of Covenant Youville Home in St. Albert. Coming up with the same amount three more times for the additional appointments she requires with a dentist will be nearly impossible.
“My mother has no outside income. Because she is non-ambulatory, she has to go to the Glenrose for dental work and she has to go in an ambulance,” said Turner’s daughter Bim Nichols.
Turner told her daughter she had a toothache and said she couldn't chew her food. Two of her top teeth, which also help to hold a partial plate, had broken off at the gum, Nichols explained.
Because her mother had previously travelled by ambulance to visit a dentist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Nichols concluded that the same travelling arrangements and appointments would be required again. She asked a Youville Home clerk to make the necessary appointments for her mother and on Aug. 18 Turner had some initial dental work done.
“Imagine my surprise this week when I received a bill on Mother’s behalf, for $233 along with a letter from Alberta Health Services, which states that Blue Cross does not pay for an ambulance transfer from nursing home to nursing home,” said Nichols, who has power of attorney for her mother’s finances.
Nichols admits that some time after she asked for an appointment for her mother at the Edmonton facility, she received a newsletter from the Youville, which explained that a mobile dental clinic was now available to residents.
“But it was a form letter, not a personal letter. The letter also said there would be a charge for dental work at the mobile clinic. If she goes to the Glenrose, the dental work is covered. Because she is bed-ridden, I don’t know if she can go to a mobile clinic.”
Turner’s last visit to the Glenrose was about two years ago and at that time, she was not charged for the ambulance ride.
“I didn’t know there would be a charge this time and no one explained the difference between the costs. No one said whether it was better for her to go to the mobile clinic or to the Glenrose,” Nichols said.
She questions why the invoice from Alberta Health Services stipulates that patients are responsible for the ambulance fee in transfers between nursing homes.
“She didn’t go to a nursing home. She went to a hospital,” she said.
A spokesperson at Alberta Health Services refused to answer this question, citing the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
Youville Home Executive Director Cecilia Marion also refused to speak to the specifics of this case, but said the rules regarding fees that are the responsibility of residents, are clearly outlined.
“Our policy is if it is physician ordered, then the cost of the ambulance will be paid by Covenant Youville Home. If it is not ordered by the physician, then it is the family’s responsibility,” Marion said.
Outraged, this week Nichols fired off a letter of complaint to MLA Doug Horner, but so far, has not had any response. She also phoned a Youville Home social worker, but was told that staff member only works part-time and was not available to answer her questions.
“My mother’s income doesn’t meet the cost of her rent. She has Canada Pension and Old Age Security and the government tops up the difference so she can pay her rent. When everything is paid, she has $30 left each month and now, she has three more dental appointments. It can't be done,” Nichols said.
