If you go to a hospital in Arizona the staff are informed not to ask about insurance benefits at the time of treatment because of a discrimination policy.
AZ has a very strict employer sanction law of hiring illegals and its being utilized even by Sheriff Arpaio.
What hospital? I’ve taken my husband three times to John C Lincoln in the last year and all three times have asked for his insurance card.
Actually, that's not quite true. At least, not down here in Sierra Vista. The admissions clerks always cover with the patient how their care will be paid for. If they don't have insurance, they aren't turned away. The clerks complete applications for AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program...or, the patient goes with 'Cash Apply' and is billed.
Now comes the fun part. If the patient is an illegal or a deadbeat, they give a phony name and address. If AHCCCS is denied, the hospital turns around and bills the patient; but the bill goes unpaid because the billing address is a fake.
That's how illegals and deadbeats are driving up medical costs for the rest of us here in Arizona.