I-Team helps local woman whose social security was garnished over medical bill

SAN ANTONIO – A law was passed to protect patients from surprise medical bills after an emergency. But families here in San Antonio are still seeing their paychecks and tax refunds garnished to pay for emergency treatment.

Our News 4 I-Team helped get relief for one local woman and gives an update on new protections that recently went into effect.

Since Brooke Army Medical Center is a military hospital that treats civilians in emergencies, the federal government can take payment from your paycheck, tax refund, even your social security. We were able to help one local woman get that reversed.

In February, we brought you Lucinda Belden’s story. She was hit by a car while riding her motorcycle near Kerrville and was taken to BAMC.

But her insurance company did not pay the bill in full, so her social security checks were being garnished.

“To be blindsided and expected to pay such an enormous amount within a very limited period of time, it was very stressful,” Belden told us in February.

After we reached out to BAMC and her insurance company for our initial story, Lucinda received some good news.

“This month when I received my social security check I received the full amount. I also received a call from Brooke Army Medical Center,” Belden said.

She says she was told thousands of dollars in late fees had been dropped and a small payment had been made by her insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.

“I’m very excited about that, you really moved mountains and made stuff happen in just a short period of time when I’ve been trying to do stuff on this for years now,” Belden told the I-Team.

Her insurance company sent a statement saying: “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is committed to expanding access to quality, cost effective care at all stages of life. BCBSTX cannot discuss the specifics of member inquiries, however, our team is committed to working directly with our members to help resolve their concerns.”

But Lucinda believes the company is obligated by the 2022 federal No Surprises Act to pay the remaining balance of more than seven thousand dollars.

If they don’t, she worries her social security will be garnished again.

“My biggest concern now is that I could wind up in the same boat as I was before.”

It comes too late for Lucinda’s case, but on March 9th the military finally started waiving and reducing some BAMC bills for lower income patients.

But only for people who were treated after June of 2023.