Charles Tuttle, Minot, has lost his appeal of a district court decision requiring him to pay $127,001.01 for an outstanding Trinity Hospital bill.

According to a North Dakota Supreme Court decision, Tuttle will be reimbursed for paying A.R. Audit’s $80 filing fee, but he must still pay the debt, which Trinity assigned to A.R. Audit.

Tuttle had claimed he should not have to pay the debt because he claimed Trinity representatives had told him he could receive financial assistance and would owe them no money. Trinity officials said Tuttle did not provide any documentation proving he was indigent or that he qualified for financial assistance.The district court ruled that Tuttle had not proven he was not responsible for the debt and ordered him to pay A.R. Audit.

The Supreme Court issued its decision on March 30.

– Andrea Johnson