The Attorney General of New York has reached a settlement with seven different hospitals that incorrectly billed individuals for forensic rape examinations, with some of the bills being placed with collection agencies after they were unpaid.
The hospitals have agreed to reimburse the individuals for the examinations, which are supposed to be paid by the state’s Office of Victim Services, unless a patient requests otherwise.
At least 200 exams were billed to individuals or their insurance companies, according to a published report. An unnamed number of those bills were placed with collection agencies when they were not paid.
The settlement with Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Columbia University, Montefiore Nyack Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Richmond University Medical Center, and St. Barnabas Hospital, comes a year after another settlement was announced with another hospital when a woman was billed seven times for the same rape examination.
“Survivors of sexual assault have already gone through unfathomable trauma; to then subject them to illegal bills and collection calls is unconscionable,” said Barbara Underwood, the New York Attorney General, in a statement. “Hospitals have a fundamental responsibility to comply with New York law. My office will continue to do everything in our power to protect survivors and their rights.”
