97
votes
Medical provider is threatening to send me to collections over a debt I do not owe
When I had this problem, I wrote the following:
We do not owe you any money.
If you illegally give false information regarding this alleged debt to
any credit reporting agency, we will sue you ...
- 2,817
45
votes
$7300 medical billing error reported to credit agencies
My question is what more can I do to ensure this doesn't happen again.
Credit monitoring services can be helpful at detecting things like this early, but they can't actually prevent them, clerical ...
- 71.2k
45
votes
Accepted
Medical provider is threatening to send me to collections over a debt I do not owe
First, collect facts.
From the collector: You need to "collect" (heh) the account number, doctor or provider's name, service date, amount, and contact information for the doctor and the collection ...
42
votes
Accepted
What is the cost of health care in the US?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that billing in the US healthcare system is utterly insane. Identical procedures and even medication prices can vary wildly in price depending on where you ...
- 1,343
40
votes
Accepted
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills?
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills?
Certainly not. What some might do, however, is not pay them immediately, with the intent to negotiate them down or get them written off. You can ...
- 142k
30
votes
Do I have to pay a medical bill when the ER never submitted it for an insurance claim?
Waiting two years is weird. However it's possible that this whole thing got a 15-month "pause" because of the pandemic, and that would make the timing more plausible.
Regardless, do not let ...
29
votes
Doctor won't let me self-pay because I've "already presented" them my insurance card?
Is this legal? They are basically refusing me treatment unless I pay the higher "insurance" price.
It is legal, since the "list price" is likely much higher anyway and they're not ...
- 184k
26
votes
Do I have to pay a medical bill when the ER never submitted it for an insurance claim?
In addition to Harper's answer, if the insurance company also gives you the runaround, here are some reasonable next steps:
Write down everything. Focus on the facts; don't editorialize or write your ...
- 506
21
votes
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills?
In addition to the good answers already provided, I want to point out that many (most?) providers will handle filing your health insurance claim for you even though it's really your responsibility.
...
20
votes
What is the cost of health care in the US?
The US health care system has many maladies, and the absurd prices are only one effect of it. Most people don't pay those prices, as insurances negotiate the hospitals and doctors down, and the ...
- 38k
16
votes
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills?
There are some uniquely American issues in this question (and answer), but some general principles as well.
In general, most Americans are covered by some form of medical insurance. One of the ...
- 297
13
votes
When is an HSA expense "incurred"?
There are a couple of specific criteria in the HDHP / HSA relationship.
You must be enrolled in an HDHP in order to contribute funds to an HSA on a tax preferred basis. You do not need to be ...
- 49.1k
12
votes
If I make an out of pocket medical payment on my normal credit card, can I withdraw that amount from my HSA?
Yes, you certainly can. As long as you incurred the expense while you had the HSA account in place, you can pay for the expense in any way you please, and reimburse yourself later for that expense out ...
- 116k
12
votes
Bait & Switch Doctor
Realistically, if the bill is only $330, you're unlikely to find a solution that doesn't cost you more than that in time and irritation. I would just pay the $330, give them a one-star Yelp review, ...
- 24k
11
votes
$7300 medical billing error reported to credit agencies
The hospital has done what they can do in terms of repairing the damage; 30 days is reasonable given reporting frequency. No permanent harm has been done in terms of your credit. Further, since this ...
- 35.9k
10
votes
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills?
Is it common in the US not to pay medical bills? Or do I misunderstood what had been said?
I would feel comfortable saying that most people who face medical bills don't pay them. They are unable. ...
10
votes
Accepted
What incentive one has to pay a medical bill in this situation?
Just because the bill can't be reported doesn't mean the debt doesn't exist and isn't owed. So apart from the obvious decade of collections calls, and withholding of your medical records from the ...
- 49.1k
10
votes
Original creditor forwarding payments to collection agency
Okay you are dealing with a collection agency, and they are (generally speaking) pretty bad with things like lying, cheating, and stealing. This is what I would do if I was in your situation:
Stop ...
- 79.6k
10
votes
Medical provider is threatening to send me to collections over a debt I do not owe
First, find out what their formal complaints process is, and then start it. The problem with just talking to customer services people is that they like to keep reassuring customers that everything ...
- 11k
10
votes
What is the cost of health care in the US?
Many of your numbers are exaggerations:
If you visit a doctor for the treatment of a colds cost ＄1000. (In Japan, it's typically less than ＄30 if you use insurance.)
With my doctor an office visit ...
- 145k
9
votes
Accepted
If I make an out of pocket medical payment on my normal credit card, can I withdraw that amount from my HSA?
Yes you can. You will need proof of receipt for the amount and submit it to the bank who operates your HSA account. You have to ensure that your medical expenses qualify as they would if you had paid ...
- 10.2k
9
votes
Bait & Switch Doctor
There are non legal avenues that you might consider.
Contact your state dental association. They have a peer review process to help resolve dental treatment disagreements. If it is a legitimate ...
- 77k
9
votes
Medical bill sent straight to collection agency
You mentioned in your question that the bill would have been paid by the insurance plan. In the US, insurance plans have timely filing deadlines - they vary from plan to plan, but can be as short as ...
- 17.1k
9
votes
Medical provider is threatening to send me to collections over a debt I do not owe
In addition to the other answers, your rights are protected in the USA by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. See https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
- 231
8
votes
Accepted
Disputing a collection on an account that is current, but the collection agency wants the original debt amount
File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Do not pay any more money on this bill until this collection company sends you verification of the debt. I think you are likely to be ...
7
votes
Is this a form of insurance fraud? Provider charged us less than reported to insurance
Most states have an insurance regulator with a hotline you can call if you suspect insurance fraud to talk with someone about whether your situation might constitute fraud.
Since you mentioned UCSF I ...
- 53.5k
7
votes
My dentist sent a forged bill to my insurance (California, US)
With every medical bill covered under insurance there are multiple prices involved. Some depend on if the item is 100% covered, partially covered, covered with a co-pay, out-of-network, or not covered....
- 145k
7
votes
Medical bill with wrong name sent to collections
You made an honest mistake. It's OK, it happens. I would recommend calling the billing department of the doctor/hospital and explaining the situation. They might not believe you, but if you're polite ...
- 14.1k
7
votes
Accepted
What is the best way to finance medical screenings for a non-resident alien?
Get liquid funds ready in advance, be prepared to put down sizeable cash deposits for services you can't or don't want to purchase outright, and try to negotiate discounts for paying bills immediately ...
- 1,568
7
votes
What is the cost of health care in the US?
I can give one illustration:
Some years ago I had a kidney stone attack while on a trip to Mississippi (from Minnesota). I checked into the emergency room of the local hospital and eventually, after ...
- 179
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible