Hi All, I've been using all the board information for a year and a half and I'm proud to say my credit score on all 3 bureaus is now 700+. I only had a few derogatory items but everything and everyone has been a great help in clearing up those few small misreported items. So I'm on my way to having "stellar credit" however... I received a collection letter a few months ago from the collection wing of the hospital where I went last year for a hand injury. I ignored it as I have insurance and thought it to be an error. Never heard back but about a week ago they (I think it was the office/organization) called and said I had seven days to call. I've read all of the "Never Talk To A Collection Agency" posts so I'm a little unsure of how to proceed. I don't want to call them and have anything hit my bureaus because I gave information which I should not have. I'm not sure if this is a collection agency or the in-house office that many hospitals and other organizations have for collections before it goes to an agency (and my bureau). They did say on the message that it was an attempt to collect a debt, etc. But they also mentioned the name of the hospital which I don't think an agency would do. If I did owe money to the hospital because my insurance denied the claim (which they did not), why didn't they contact me during the ten months that the debt was owed before sending it to this office? So, I'm confused. Should I call back? If not, how should I approach it so that it gets hammered out between my insurance company and the hospital and it stays off my reports. Thanks, Silly Girl
Contact the insurance co. and ask them if they ever paid, and what they paid. If they claim that they paid what was billed, get them to contact the CA to tell them that you are no longer responsible.
You need a copy of the EOB (explanation of benefits) from the insurance company for this claim. It will break it down into what the doctor charged, what was allowed, disallowed, paid, and the remainder which is your responsibility.
Spoke to my insurance company. It turns out the hospital submitted a bill to them which they would have paid but it was sent far too late. When the bill was rejected the hospital decided they would try to get me to pay the charges. My insurance co was very helpful and sent them a copy of the reason why their claim was denied (they sent me a copy too). As far as I can figure, I shouldn't be liable for a mistake that the hospital made. They don't have the right to try and get me to pay because they sat on the bill for six months, do they? If this does show up on my bureaus do I try to fight it through the collecting agency or should I contact the bureaus with the letters that the insurance company sent them (and me) which basically prove that it is not my debt?
The insurance company likes to put deadlines on paperwork; they (hospital) just need to file a new claim. Just get the two parties talking to each other, this should have a happy ending. Both are being a little stubborn and bureaucratic which is not unusual in health care.
I'm running into a similar probelm. In October 2008 I had a doctor's visit. had some blood tests done. Doctor billed insurance company, Secure Horizon, my MEDICARE supplemental carrier. I am in one of those PFFS Medicare programs - PAID FOR FEE SERVICE, which mandates me to just pay $15, while Secure Horizons pays the rest. Yeah right. This stinking Medical Center is/was billing me for the difference between what I originally paid ($15) what Secure Horizon doled out ($76.78) for $84.22. Earth to this Medical Center: You are supposed to accept what the insurance company doles out to you. The actual total bill was $176.
