Hartford HealthCare (HHC) executives pride themselves for claiming to demonstate core values like integrity, caring, excellence and safety. In reality, many of their "business" practices are highly questionable. This is especially true when it comes to the treatment of their own employees.
Right now, the nurses and health professionals employed by HHC at Windham Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH) are in effect "underinsured." Their limited coverage fails to meet their family's healthcare needs, leaving them with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Bree Eichler has worked as a paramedic since 2006, and at WCMH for the last five years. She is just one of the many HHC employees sent to collections by a callous employer over unpaid medical bills.
Here is her story:
“I then changed to an HHC-approved provider and was then forced into delivering at an HHC facility instead. During the course of my pregnancy, we had several ‘scares’ and I was sent to multiple other providers. Ironically, most of these providers, despite the fact they worked in a HHC facility, are contracted out and not covered by our own insurance. This has left me with $12,662.00 in uncovered medical bills even though supposedly we have a $5,000.00 out of pocket maximum. Some of my bills have been sent to collections and I’m being contacted by lawyers. HHC doesn’t want to accept less than what they consider is their minimum payment, which I am unable to afford as a full time employee, with rising inflation, normal bills and new expenses with a baby.
“If this is how HHC treats their own employees, what are they doing to the general public? We should not be in debt to our own employer who forces us into seeing their own providers.
“This corporation is lining their own pockets with the hard earned money of their employees. They need to do better. We deserve better.”
Bree’s words are eye-opening and moving. Let Hartford HealthCare’s executives know that this behavior is unacceptable. Help us spread the word: Hartford HealthCare’s employees’ and patients’ deserve better!