PHOENIX \u2014 A Valley woman who fought for four years to get a refund for a medical procedure finally received her money after reaching out to ABC15 for help.<\/p>\n
Lex K. has dealt with health problems for years.<\/p>\n
“I have umbilical hernias that get strangulated. So, I need to have surgery right away for it. I’ve had about 14 of them altogether,” Lex explained.<\/p>\n
The latest life-changing surgery for her was in December 2020, and she was thrilled to learn the hospital offered financial aid assistance.<\/p>\n
“There was this great thing the hospital was offering,\u00a0they would do a financial aid help for you if they felt that there was a need. And I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, this is incredible,'” she said.<\/p>\n
Lex applied for financial aid and waited for approval. During that time, she was sent to collections.<\/p>\n
“I was told, ‘Hey, if I pay this collection bill, if I get approved for the financial aid application, I’d be refunded back for it.’ A year later, I was approved 100%,” Lex added.<\/p>\n
Despite her approval, getting the refund proved nearly impossible.<\/p>\n
For four years, Lex followed up with the company repeatedly, always receiving different explanations or, worse, she was ignored entirely.<\/p>\n
“I would be told that someone would call me back. No one would call me back. No one would follow up with me,” she said.<\/p>\n
After four years of back and forth, Lex was ready to give up. That’s when she decided it was time to ask for help.<\/p>\n
“I was sitting at home by myself, and I said, ‘You know what? I haven’t done everything that I can do,'” she said.<\/p>\n
“I haven’t asked anybody to help me. So, I reached out to a bunch of other newspapers, newscasts as well, and ABC15 was the only person that responded to me. And it felt like such a lifeline,” Lex added.<\/p>\n
ABC15’s Better Business Bureau volunteer, Darlene, truly was the lifeline Lex needed.<\/p>\n
“In two months, she was able to take care of an issue that I’ve been fighting for over four years to do. I know that sounds crazy, but when you depend on this money, you will go crazy trying to get it,” Lex said.<\/p>\n
She finally received her $2,000 refund.<\/p>\n
“I couldn’t believe it, and I call Barbara my little angel, because none of this would have happened without her,” she said.<\/p>\n
ABC15’s Better Business Bureau volunteers are ready to be lifelines for people who need help with consumer issues. If you are interested in joining the team, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n