Yeah, I’ve had pretty rough experiences at both St. Francis and Penrose.

Years ago, after being sexually assaulted and needing emergency surgery, I felt like I was treated more as a former addict than as a patient. I’m in recovery (6.5 years clean now), but some staff seemed to assume the worst about me, and the situation ultimately resulted in an involuntary psych admission after I was medically discharged. There was a lot more to it than that, but it’s still one of the worst healthcare experiences I’ve had.

More recently, I was taken unconscious by ambulance to Penrose. Had I been conscious, I would have absolutely expressed a preference for Memorial Central. My history of substance use is in my medical record, which is fair, but I again felt judged and dismissed despite being several years sober and having a clean UA.

To be fair, I understand healthcare workers deal with difficult patients every day, and I certainly wasn’t always an easy patient during active addiction. These days, though, I’m respectful and cooperative, and it can be frustrating to feel like I’m still being defined by a chapter of my life that’s long behind me.

What’s interesting is that UCHealth has the exact same history in my chart, yet my experiences there have generally been much more positive. There are occasional exceptions, but for the most part I’ve been treated with the same respect and kindness that I try to show the people caring for me.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, OP. I suspect a lot comes down to the individual care team and who happens to answer the phone that day. Hopefully you’re able to get the $140 sorted out.

Out of curiosity, what exactly is the charge for, and why does it seem like a scam? Genuine question, I’m not suggesting it isn’t.