Vancouver Coastal Health is suing a mother from China for allegedly not paying thousands of dollars in medical bills after giving birth while visiting Canada.
Yan Xia delivered her baby at Richmond Hospital six years ago, according to the health authority’s statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court back in April.
It argues that by accepting treatment and services in the maternity ward, Yan had agreed to pay the plaintiff at B.C.’s non-residential rates, with interest on what was owed at the rate of two per cent per month.
Yan was invoiced for roughly $313,000 on Oct. 23, 2012, according to the document.
With interest accrued during the 67 months since then, Vancouver Coastal Health could seek relief for the amount owing of an estimated $700,000 to $1.2 million.
The health authority told Black Press Media that it has neither waived or charged the interest rate at this time.
None of the allegations has been proven in court. A statement of defense has not yet been filed.
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