More than 500 MaineHealth patients were stunned to receive letters announcing their own deaths, part of a “computer system error” the nonprofit health network called “deeply regrettable.” According to ABC News and News Center Maine, the Oct. 20 letters offered condolences to 531 patients and included instructions for next of kin on how to settle their estates. MaineHealth later admitted the notices were sent in error and insisted that no one had been listed as deceased in their medical records. “The issue has been fully resolved,” a spokesperson told ABC. One Sanford woman, who asked not to be identified, told CBS 13 she was “pretty upset” to learn she’d been declared dead—especially when the condolence letter also mentioned her unpaid medical bills. “Why would they say I was dead? It was really shocking,” she said. When she called MaineHealth to correct the record, an employee reportedly told her, “I’m glad to hear that you’re still alive and well.” The woman replied, “Yeah, me too.” MaineHealth said it has since mailed apology letters to all affected patients. The health system has not explained how the glitch occurred.
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