Collection agencies were involved in attempting to recover the cost of administering rape kits at hospitals, even though the exams are supposed to be free of charge.
A hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., billed patients or their health insurance providers in 85 of 86 instances where a forensic rape exam was conducted. One woman was billed seven times by the hospital for the same exam. After one woman did not pay the bill, the account was placed with a collection agency and the agency sent out a letter to the woman.
The Attorney General of New York reached a settlement with the hospital. The hospital will pay restitution for the exams and develop a policy to ensure improper billing does not occur in the future. The AG also announced it has sent letters to 10 other hospitals across the state inquiring about their policies and procedures regarding billing for forensic rape exams.
