Howdy All, Need some good legal-type guesses. Scenario: When traveling to see her folks, my wife takes our child to a doctor in NC for a required follow-up visit. We live in TX and I was in TX at the time. She pays co-pay but insurance company doesn't pay the bill. The Doctor never sends us a bill and I just found out that Interstate Credit Collections has ME listed as an open collection for $33! 33 F&%#@@*&! bucks! I call them to find out the deal and they say "I'll take your money but you're suckin' wind on getting it removed." I politely decline and tell them I'll see if I can't get the insurance company to pay as they are required to and thus the whole ugly mess will go away. I'm in the military and we've got TRICare as our insurance. Tomorrow, I'm sending the first validation letter stating that they've never contacted me about this and that I want the documents where I signed off agreeing to pay the bill. (Remember, I was in TX) I've got the $33, and I'll be happy to pay someone who took care of my child, but I'll be damned if it's gonna sit there for seven years just because some quack can't be bothered to find my address. Should I start with the nutcase letter or napalm? If it's my debt then I'm planning on having my wife call them up regarding the claim and then hammering them for violating third-party disclosure laws. If it's my wife's debt then I want it off my CR and we'll attack them on her file later. I'm morally obligated to pay someone, I know. And I will, but does anybody know if I'm LEGALLY responsible for a debt my wife signs for under my insurance? Thanks for your advice. Dancer
I think your last sentence is your answer. It is your insurance policy and they are covered under you. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet legally you are responsible. The question is, why didn't the ins. pay it? I would contact my insurance co. and let them know what has happened. They can contact the doctor and work out a payment and deletion from your report.
Doesn't matter if you are legally liable or not. You didn't know about it, so why should your credit suffer for 7 years? I'm in the same boat, my ex-wife blew off any co-pays taking my daughter in for care. 6 accounts totalling $161.00, the smallest is for $7.00 I also offered to pay for deletion, got the "That would be illegal" spiel. I'll sue their ass instead. They have racked up several violations since this mess started. What do you want to bet they jump at deleting the accounts when hit with a lawsuit?
"That would be illegal" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please provide written PROOF that this would be illegal...
Today, 3/19 is the 30th day since they received validation request, I'm still waiting on PROOF I owe them money. LOL Gib
