25 Apr 2012

Amended rise of American Samoa hospital fees

4:58 pm on 25 April 2012

The financially troubled LBJ Hospital in American Samoa has filed notice that it intends to increase fees and charges from May the 21st.

The new rates are not as high as what the hospital proposed earlier in the year - a move that sparked government commitments to find alternative funding and attempts to remove the board.

The new charges will mean most outpatient clinic costs will double to 20 US dollars for each visit.

The emergency department will charge 30 dollars per visit instead of the present ten dollars in daytime and 20 at night.

Prescription fees will not change.

Ambulance and laboratory fees are up slightly and while X-Rays will cost more other scans will be cheaper.