Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) is suing a New Zealand man for $48,540, according to a B.C. Supreme Court notice of civil claim filed Sept. 7.
The claim said Jeremy Noble was admitted to the Whistler Health Care Centre on Jan. 30, 2020 and later to Vancouver General Hospital where he stayed to Feb. 7.
The claim said Noble signed a rate schedule and payment agreement saying he would pay fees for all service provided to him as a non-resident of B.C. He also agreed to an interest rate of two per cent a month on the fees.
On April 20, 2020, Noble was invoiced $61,468.
The claim said that invoice also went to Global Excel Management, an authorized claims administrator for a third-party insurer with whom Noble had an insurance policy.
In July 2020, Global paid $12,927 — money VCHA applied to the debt.
The health authority is suing for the $48,540 balance while interest continues to accrue.
The reason for the bill is that, under the Hospital Insurance Act (HIA), the provincial government is not responsible for services given to someone who is not a B.C. resident.
“The defendant's non-payment of the debt constitutes a breach of the HIA and the plaintiff is entitled to recover the debt against the defendant,” the claim said.
