posted
I can't be the only one here who doesn't know how to do some probably very simple things.
Here's one that gets me hung up on whenever I try to ask my mother to explain it...
How do I dispute a bill? Do I write a check and then write that I dispute it? I really don't want this damn bill to go to collections, but I absolutely do NOT owe it. I've tried calling their billing department, but they put me on hold forever.
posted
It must be disputed in writing. Phone calls will not help you. Trust me - been there, done that.
When you do call, however, or when they call you get names - full names, not just first names and if they refuse to give you a last name demand it or speak with a supervisor and tell them that it's so you can have accurate records. If you have the capacity to record calls, do it. Tell them you're doing it though, in some states it's illegal to record conversations unless both parties are aware it's being recorded.
But the paper trail is the only real one that counts. Demand that they send you proof you owe the bill and don't accept as proof a printout that doesn't have your signature or otherwise shows some proof that you were indeed present and did agree to pay.
However, if it's a medical bill, most clinics make you sign a statement that you'll be liable for any and all charges insurance won't pay, so they will have your signature on that document. They still have to document that you had the procedures done.
While it's in dispute they cannot report you to the credit bureaus, you do have rights. Here's a link to a pdf file that summarizes your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting act.
Good luck. One thing I've learned - they don't expect you to fight back. If you stick to your guns I've found most of them are willing to drop it because they don't have the time to fight you, it's easier to write it off and move on. We're fighting one right now on some equipment leasing, we returned the leased equipment but they're trying to make us pay for it. Fortunately, we sent it by FedEx and have proof it was delivered so I think we'll come out all right in the end.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
I did finally get someone on the phone, and they tried to placate me with useless crap...when I went in, I told them up-front that I didn't have insurance and was just going to write them a check for the entire amount. So they told me that the check I wrote would cover everything including labs, and now they're asking me for heaps more money.
Do I need to write a letter and mail it back to them? Or can I just write "Disputed" on the bill they sent, make a copy of it, and send that back in?
quote:I did finally get someone on the phone, and they tried to placate me with useless crap...when I went in, I told them up-front that I didn't have insurance and was just going to write them a check for the entire amount. So they told me that the check I wrote would cover everything including labs, and now they're asking me for heaps more money.
Did you get this in writing? Do you have an invoice?
If not...this may be a hell of a battle.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Your letter should detail the specifics of why you're disputing it. You should outline what you've said here, include dates, names if you have them, all the information they will need, and enclose a copy of the bill.
Unfortunately you may be out of luck here, because if all you have on your side is that someone at the clinic told you it would be enough, they may not have proof of that. Unless they gave you a receipt that says all charges were covered at the time. They probably had you sign something that says they can bill you for additional incurred charges. I would bet it's labs that came back and were more than they had you pay.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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They've sent me a letter about the results of my labs twice, as well. I find that somewhat strange. In fact, I think I've got a bunch of letters from them around here. They've sent me way more crap than is necessary.
posted
I've heard complaints more than once about how a medical bill paid by insurance is not the same amount when paid in cash by the patient. However, I thought it worked in your advantage to pay cash, resulting in a lower bill.
posted
If you want to dispute the bill, do not send them the payment for it. They'll take your money and ignore you.
Dispute it in writing, and hope for the best. Probably the worst that they can do is send you to a collection agency, then you just dispute the bill with the agency. If the collection agency can't collect, they'll put a bad mark on your credit, then you can dispute with the credit bureau.
Basically, your recourse is to cause so much trouble for everyone that hopefully they give up. I'd recommend also sending a letter to the BBB and possibly your state Attorney General, if you feel that the hospital is trying to rip you off. You might also find out who is responsible for the hospital, an administrator of some kind, and write them a letter as well. The more high level people you annoy, the better your chances of getting things taken care of.
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:While it's in dispute they cannot report you to the credit bureaus, you do have rights.
Just because they can't doesn't mean they won't. Do not pay the bill while it is in dispute, and keep an eye on your credit.
Posts: 87 | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: Can you go over the chronology again?
Why do they think you owe them this money, and what's your basis for saying that you don't?
I went in for a basic gynecology exam. They asked if I had insurance, and I said no. They asked if I was employed, and I said no. They asked if I wanted to set up a payment plan, and I said no, please just tell me how much it is, and I'll write you a check right now.
They had me write a check and told me that that would cover the exam, labs, PAP smear, and any other tests.
Then I had to go in for the ultrasound. My boyfriend came in with me for the ultrasound and was with me when I asked them directly if I owed them any money for it. They said no.
Now, I have received a bill for the office visit, blood work, PAP smear, pregnancy test, and ultrasounds.
For crying out loud, I could've gotten the exam at Planned Parenthood for $75. I went to this doctor because I thought I should have a regular gynecologist. But that's really not worth throwing money into a medical black hole.
posted
Sounds like someone in billing screwed up to me.
Do you have a receipt? They should have given you one. If not, your bank should have a record of the check. Get that documentation and send it to them, along with a letter explaining that you're disputing the charges because you already paid.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Okay. Tell them you've already paid for the office visit and lab and PAP. That was taken care of by check. Send a copy of the cancelled check.
Just because the clerk told you the ultrasound was no charge, doesn't mean that's correct. More than likely, you're going to have to pay for the ultrasound unless you have it in writing that they said it wouldn't cost you anything.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
So far: Have spoken to nice billing lady who had supervisor call me back. Was called back by supervisor bitch. Was talked to in circles and never had my personal issue with bill addressed. Was been insulted and talked down to by supervisor bitch. Hung up on supervisor bitch because was sick of her crap. Have filed complaint with hospital business department concerning supervisor bitch. Have arranged to have formal letter of dispute faxed directly to hospital on parents' ATTORNEY AT LAW letterhead because am feeling pushed around by hospital because am 21-year-old student.
The hospital's current line is that the money I paid up-front was only an estimate. I was not told this. Also informed hospital that I am aware that certain very routine tests were not performed. Also, my parents and I agree that the issue is not the money itself but the fact that I went there prepared to pay EVERYTHING right there, and they sprung an outrageous bill on me two months after the fact.
Am so finding a doctor not associated with some big crap hospital that thinks it can throw its weight around just because there was a hurricane and there are less hospitals available now.
posted
With rare exceptions, an individual who pays in cash is paying double or more of the rate paid by an insurance company.
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001
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quote:Originally posted by aspectre: With rare exceptions, anyone who pays in cash is paying double or more for the same service as that paid by an insurance company
Really? I usually get lots of things for really cheap. Or at least, I do when I'm dealing with individual doctors and not huge, massive, evil hospital-based LLCs. If nothing else, I get samples.
posted
Yeah, that's what I meant: dealing with large hospitals or large clinics or large group practices. Most individual physicians will try to do their best by you cost-wise. But when physicians are employees (even employee-partners), private patients tend to get hammered.
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
When a hospital/doctor's practice signs an agreement with an insurance company they are agreeing to accept whatever the insurance company deems appropriate for the procedures done, including the copay of the insured. If they attempt to charge the patient the difference between what the insurance company is willing to pay and what they would charge for an uninsured patient the insurance company can drop them and sue them for breech of contract.
At a time when I was insured under my father's Tricare (read: military) my local doctor tried that. When Tricare found out they were NOT happy. I'd hate to have been the doctor.
Posts: 1214 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Yep. It should be illegal, and its caused by the horrifically broken health care system the US has.
"Thankfully" our health care system is extremely likely to collapse in the relatively near future (say, ten to twenty years) unless it is significantly changed, and after a collapse it will be changed out of necessity.
If for no other reason than saving individuals and society as a whole a ton of money, we need universal health care.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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