hospital apologizes over $1k bill to transport man's body home
jaime nguyen says she hopes no other families have to go through what hers has after her uncle died from covid-19 at ottawa's montfort hospital, far from his toronto home.
apr 30 2021
2 minute read
we apologize, but this video has failed to load.
try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
jaime nguyen says she hopes no other families have to go through what hers has after her uncle died from covid-19 at ottawa’s montfort hospital, far from his toronto home.
the 72-year-old man was transferred to ottawa by helicopter ambulance because his local hospital, in scarborough, was overwhelmed with seriously ill covid-19 patients. when he died as a result of covid-19, the cost of transporting his body back to toronto fell to the family, which was left with a $1,062 bill.
on thursday, montfort hospital apologized for what it said was a “sad, very unfortunate case of misunderstanding” and is reviewing its policies.
“we are very sorry for the entire situation. it must have been an ordeal for the family, especially at such a sensitive time,” said hospital spokesperson geneviève picard.
“ we have contacted the family this morning to express our apologies and ask them to send us the invoice for a prompt reimbursement.”
health minister christine elliott told the ontario legislature that should never have happened “and we will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
nguyen, niece of the man whose name has not been released, told this newspaper thursday that the hospital notified her family and “agreed that the responsibility should be that of the receiving hospital, being ottawa montfort. they’ve agreed to cover the costs.”
advertisement
advertisement
“we’re grateful the wheels are turning, responsibility is being taken, and hope this story can help other families in similar situations,” she said. “we hope my uncle is able to rest peacefully.”
she told ctv news, which originally reported the story, that her family struggled to find out how to transport his body back home, calling numerous government numbers and getting no help.
montfort spokesperson picard said the hospital’s icu manager asked the family to send any invoice they might receive to its finance department.
“however, it seams that the funeral home invoiced the family directly.”
the hospital told the family it is the “typical process” for hospitals to cover the cost of transporting bodies of patients. “however, it is unfortunate that we were never communicated this from the beginning,” said nguyen.
during question period in the ontario legislature thursday, ottawa south mpp john fraser noted the man died at montfort with no family and no supports. “and then they had to bring his body back and they got a bill for $1,000.”
he asked elliott to commit to ensure “patients who pass away are repatriated to their family at our expense.”
elliott called the circumstances tragic: “this is very difficult for families whose loved ones need to be transferred.” elliot said she is working with the hospital and making every effort to ensure “that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
advertisement
advertisement
scarborough-guildwood liberal mpp mitzie hunter said she understands how difficult it is for families when loved ones have to be transferred to other hospitals. it is something her family has recently experienced, she said, although her relative was transferred to a closer hospital.
“people are afraid and concerned for their loved ones. what they don’t need to feel is the health system is letting them down.”
picard said montfort is reviewing its process “and we will document the information given to the families in the future, to avoid such unfortunate situations.”
share story
