Growing number of unpaid medical bills at Metro Vancouver hospitals
Metro Vancouver hospitals are facing an increase in non-residents receiving emergency care and skipping out on the bill, CTV News has learned.
The three B.C. health authorities that operate hospitals in the Lower Mainland have observed a growing number of unpaid hospital bills. In the 2018/19 fiscal year, Providence, Fraser, and Vancouver Coastal Health had $22.2 million outstanding, and in 2022-23 that had ballooned to $36.3 million.
The three B.C. health authorities that operate hospitals in the Lower Mainland have observed a growing number of unpaid hospital bills.
About one third of the invoices issued to “non-residents of Canada” went unpaid across the region; the agencies said they do not keep track of country of origin nor the procedures required.
“They’re going up consistent with population increases and we do everything we can to avoid it, obviously,” said health minister, Adrian Dix, in a one-on-one interview with CTV News.
He emphasized while hospital staff always attempt pre-payment, in medical emergencies that’s not always possible and that given the limited collections options, “we’re not going to be able to totally eliminate that, I think people understand that.”
Until they’re considered “unrecoverable”, the rollover carrying costs of those unpaid bills can be considerable. Fraser Health went from $33 million (in 2018/19 fiscal) to $43 million (2022/23) in its accounts receivable balance, while Providence went from $23 million to $42 million in the same time period.
No one denied care
Dix echoed the health authorities’ statements that no patient would be denied care, particularly emergency medical care, with Providence Health Care stressing, “No one is denied care, and we are proud of that approach. We take this approach seriously.”
In Fraser Health, which has seen a surge compared to pre-pandemic levels, the health authority says that’s “partially attributed to a rise in immigration and the resurgence of travel after years of restrictions.” All health authorities say they provide options for payment and try to work with the patients to find a resolution.
Vancouver Coastal Health was the only health authority of the three to show a decrease in bad debt since before the pandemic began, but is still posting the highest figure with nearly $18 million outstanding in 2022/23.
“VCH will work with people with unpaid hospital bills and their insurance companies to ensure payments, with debt collection agencies and/or court proceedings as a final resort,” wrote a spokesperson. “In some cases, VCH may enter into payment plans with patients to recover the debt owed.”
That health authority includes most of the region’s tourist hotspots and Vancouver General Hospital, the largest in the province. Providence Health oversees just two acute care facilities hospitals, Mount Saint Joseph and St. Paul’s Hospital. The latter is in downtown Vancouver and is the closest to the cruise ship terminal.
Treatment is pricey
Dix pointed out that while people should have travel insurance, that’s not always the case and can lead to hefty bills.
A heart attack, for example, that requires cardiac catheterization and three or four days in intensive care, could easily cost $50,000 for someone without health insurance.
Canadians with medical emergencies in B.C. don’t have to pay since the provinces have mutual compensation agreements.
“Our collections are generally very thoughtful and work with people to pay their debts,” Dix said. “We have to be open, when people come here, to provide particularly emergency medical care just like if Canadians go down to a Seahawks game break a leg, they’d expect care down there. And occasionally, I’m sure Canadians leave debts behind as well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7019200.1724963313!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Road rage incident: Tesla driver knocked senior's teeth out, B.C. RCMP say
Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying a Tesla driver following a disturbing road rage incident that played out in North Vancouver, B.C., earlier this month.
In first sit-down interview of presidential campaign, Harris says voters ready for 'new way forward'
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said Thursday that voters were ready for 'a new way forward,' as she was questioned along with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in their first major television interview of their presidential campaign.
Meet the man living in the middle of a Kitchener, Ont. roundabout
Drivers going by a Kitchener roundabout may have noticed something unusual – a tent set up on the centre island.
Poilievre asks Singh to pull out of Trudeau confidence deal to prompt fall election
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is asking NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to pull out of the deal he has with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to force an election this fall.
Crown recommends 9 years in prison for protesters at Coutts border blockade
A Crown prosecutor says two men convicted of mischief and weapons offences at the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., should spend nine years in prison.
Some trees' leaves are changing colour already. Here's why that may be happening, according to a botany expert
If you've noticed trees in parts of Canada have been changing colours earlier than usual in recent years, you're not alone, according to a botany expert who spoke with CTVNews.ca.
This wilderness resort designed and built by the Timber Kings just hit the market in B.C.
A family-owned B.C. wilderness resort designed and built by HCTV's Timber Kings – who said it was one of the "coolest and most challenging" projects they have undertaken – has hit the market for $21.5 million.
Victim, accused in corn maze killing previously deemed 'significant threat' to public: documents
The accused and the victim in a fatal stabbing at the Edmonton Corn Maze earlier this week had both previously been found not criminally responsible for violent crimes and confined to a psychiatric hospital, court documents show.
Afghan women sing in protest to Taliban's voice ban
Afghan women around the globe are singing in solidarity to protest the Taliban's new rules that prohibit women's voices from being heard in public.