Woman has problems paying son's medical bill

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Victoria Addison was playing with her son, Braeden, in the kitchen and he tried to crawl or climb up her legs.

"He starts screaming in pain," she said. "I knew something was wrong."

Braeden's elbow was partially dislocated. She said the doctor told her he had nursemaid's elbow, which is not uncommon in children, but painful.

Urgent care was closed so they went Atrium's emergency room Carolinas HealthCare System-Kannapolis.

"I have an ER bill that's $2,200, an X-ray bill that's almost ($500,) and, then, the doctor bill, $200," Addison said.

Addison has insurance, but said that it's such a basic plan, it wouldn't cover the full bill.

"But you don't think about that,” Addison said. “You're not thinking, 'Before I take my child to the hospital, let me see what type of coverage I have.'"

Addison knows if she doesn't pay the bill, Atrium could eventually turn it over to collections, which could hurt her credit score and possibly affect her home and car.

"It's very stressful," Addison said.

Atrium wouldn’t "publicly comment on specific patient cases," but reminds people, it offers "financial assistance and discount programs to eligible patients."

For example, "if a patient received medically necessary services" and the insurance company "denied" coverage, Atrium gives the patient a 50 percent discount.

Addison said Atrium offered her a payment plan, but she said it would be difficult to afford that, too. She's appealing its decision and waiting to hear back.

Channel 9 is helping clear $1 million worth of medical debt for residents in the Charlotte area.

Action 9 is working with a charity, RIP Medical Debt. Action 9 isn't picking patients and won't know who you are, so, if you get a yellow envelope, please contact Action 9.

[STORY: Action 9 helps to wipe away $1 million of viewers' medical debt]

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