Woman Says She Had to Pay $400 Upfront at Urgent Care Before Receiving Lifesaving EpiPen

A Virginia woman has recounted a harrowing experience in which she was required to pay a substantial fee before receiving emergency treatment for a life-threatening allergic reaction. Stephanie Rowell, 53, from Round Hill, suffered anaphylaxis following a wasp sting whilst on her parents’ porch earlier this July. The incident raised concerns about the policies of urgent care facilities in handling emergencies.

Rowell recalled that the wasp sting left her with immediate pain and discomfort. She described her arm feeling as if it were “on fire,” accompanied by itching and swelling of her face. Faced with a tightening throat and difficulty breathing, she took Benadryl and quickly made her way to a nearby urgent care facility, TruHealthNow in Purcellville.

Upon her arrival at the urgent care centre, Rowell disclosed her uninsured status, having been without coverage since 2025. A nurse practitioner swiftly assessed her condition, diagnosing her with anaphylaxis and indicating that she required a shot of epinephrine, commonly administered using an EpiPen. However, instead of receiving the urgently needed treatment, Rowell claimed that she was presented with a bill demanding immediate payment.

Rowell shared her disbelief at being informed that she needed to pay $400 upfront for the epinephrine shot, along with additional charges that brought the total to $605. “I thought I was going to die,” she told KFF Health News, expressing her shock at having to prioritise payment over immediate medical care.

In disbelief, she asked the medical assistant if, in the absence of funds, she would have been left without treatment. According to her, the response was an apologetic affirmation of the centre’s policy. Ultimately, Rowell produced her debit card and paid the required amount, after which she received the life-saving injection. Fortunately, her symptoms began to alleviate shortly thereafter.

In response to queries about the situation, TruHealthNow did not provide an immediate comment to PEOPLE. However, Preet Takhar, the centre’s CEO, explained to KFF that in emergencies, treatment is usually administered first before billing takes place. Yet, he confirmed that Rowell was requested to pay upfront because her condition had been assessed as “stable.”

Medical professionals have voiced concerns regarding the protocol followed in Rowell’s case. Alan Ayers, a consultant in the urgent care sector, noted that while upfront payment is a common practice, it should never take precedence in emergency scenarios like anaphylaxis. “For a sore throat, it doesn’t matter much,” he stated, emphasising that patient care should always come first in urgent situations.

Rowell expressed that her thoughts were not focused on the bill itself but rather the fact that she was asked to make payment before being treated. She now carries an EpiPen and has a heightened awareness of the risks associated with her allergy.

This incident highlights a significant issue within health care regarding policy and patient safety, particularly when it comes to urgent medical care. Many believe that ensuring the immediate wellbeing of patients should trump financial policies in situations that are evidently life-threatening. As Rowell’s case suggests, a reevaluation of such practices may be necessary to ensure that no one faces the impossible choice between payment and survival in a medical emergency.