My insurance company at the time(2003) insists that the hospital double-billed them, and that they have taken care of it. A year has past and now a new credit company has called and threatened to hurt my credit if I don't pay.
123165
Sounds like you need to go in and talk to the hospital billing department.  Take the payment receipt that your insurance company sent to verify payment (all insurance companies do this).  If you have lost it, contact your insurance company and ask for a duplicate copy.
315446
You can definitely sue them for this.It was a complete violation of your patient rights and the law gives you the space to do so.I would contact a personal injury attorney first to see if they can help you if not they should be able to recommend one for u.\n\nGood luck with this and I'm sorry this happened to you.
579382
Contact the manager of the lab and let that person know that you feel that the doctor should be liable for this bill because the doctor prevented you from the proper course of action and ask the manager to redirect the bill to the doctor.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  I have had similiar situations and because I was persistent ...they finally gave up.  But you may want to choose a different doctor.
366229
you are right on track.this one is a slam dunk.though you are doing every thing right you need to contact your attorney generals office because she is adopting unfair and illegal business practices.this PERSON IS HAVING SERIOUS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE IT OUT ON YOU,You sound like you have enough fight in you.go get her.If I were you I would start by sending her a certified letter indicating intent to file charges against her for double dipping,and to file a $5000 dollar small claim against her for attempt to defraud.if she goes ahead with her claim to send your "bill"to a collections agency she is only giving you additional ammunition for your claims.If this thing appears on your credit you can get it removed by showing that this is an attempt to at distortion.It will also give you the additional info.you need for a successful claim.
254290
They did the same thing to me too.  I moved out of their network and their mover's connect people said that since I moved against my will (military move) I could get outta my contract.  Well it took a month and a half before they shut down my phone and they billed me for it (which was fine I used it),  I paid my last bill in sept., then in March of the next year a collection agency called me up saying that I owed them over a thousand dollars.  Well long story short after 6 months of calls, faxes and letters to their cust. care center they finally said to hell with it and refunded me the money (I paid it so I wouldn't be bothered by the collection agency anymore... which I wouldn't recomend untill they admit guilt).  Just remember this dude. "the Sqeaky wheel gets the grease."  \nP.S. Everytime you call them it cost Verizon $8.50 so just keep calling them, eventually they'll give in!!!!\n\n\nP.S.S. Amy your completely full of sh** the only headway I got from verizon is when I started yelling, screaming, kicking, and bit**ing.  So unless you've been through it shut the he** up!  I also went into there store and they were complete morons in there, twice they acctually tried to resign me.... sh** after all the bs they put me through anytime anyone tells me there thinking of verizon I tell them my story!!!!!!!
112202
Your insurance company sent you the checks instead of sending them to the dentist... occasionally insurance companies will do that and you are suppose to sign those over and give them to the dentist.  They are meant to go to the dentist... not you.  Also, I am sure you signed something when you filled out paperwork stating that you would be responsible for any balance you insurance company did not cover as the dentist only gave you an 'estimate' of what the insurance company would pay.... because your insurance company only gave your dentist an 'estimate' of what they pay... the insurance company even has a disclaimer before they give a break-down of benefits stating it is an estimate only and payment is not guaranteed.  Therefore, there is nothing you can do but pay the bill.\n\nIn the future, if you want a guarantee of how much your insurance will pay for your treatment, then have your dentist send in a pretreatment estimate to your insurance company before you have treatment done.  Your dentist will do this for you as a courtesy.  The insurance company will then send, in writing, something to the dentist stating how much they will pay and then this is a definite.  The insurnace company will be bound to this and if they do not pay what they state at that time then you go after the insurance company.
104206
How old is your son?  If he's under 18 why are they billing him?  \n\nIf this is the only negative hit on his credit report, I would suggest you contact the hospital (don't mess with the collection agencies) and work out a payment plan.  But ONLY if they agree to remove any mention of the debt from the credit report.  Otherwise, what's the point in paying the bill?
501509
A doctor can remove most of them. Say they hurt if you want an insurance company to pay the bill.
582818
If your doctor agreed to a negotiated rate with your insurance company, you are not responsible for the discounted amount.  This is a common practice in HMOs and PPOs, and it does not mean that the doctor 'charged too much'.\n\nIf the insurance company says you ARE liable for the amount they didn't pay, it means they are using some sort of calculation for the "reasonable and customary" charges for the area (they don't have a contract with the doctor).  If they did this, you can ask them how they came up with this calculation and when was the last time they updated it.  Some companies just pay a percent of the Medicare fee schedule (110% or 125%), but they might be using old data.
18080
contact the creditor. If it is a large firm ask for the collections department. Attempt to negotiate a settlement that includes elimination of the negatively reported information. Start by saying "can you help me with this". Explain the original problem and staate that you want to make it good. Sometimes they will be sympathetic. At a minimum, if you pay they have to report it as originally charged off but paid.
350320
Check with your BK lawyer before doing anything. As far as Cap One goes... I dont adv anyone to go to them just simply cuz I work at a credit reporting agency and they are the number one creditor for reporting things wrong like balance and late dates.  Doesnt mean its like that for everyone I've just seem a lot of neg things from them.
157115
I'm not sure if it is classic fraud, such as billing for services not rendered, but it does sound like there is a problem in the billing department.  I'd write the doctor a letter explaining what happened and telling him your concern.  He/she may not be aware of the problem.  The billing department is filling in the wrong information on the form.  \n\nHowever, if the problem persists, you have your letter as proof that he knows it.  Change doctors and get all of your medical files forwarded.  Then, send a formal complaint to your state attorney general with a cc to the insurance company and the doctor.  Be sure to enclose a copy of the letter previously sent to your doctor, and his response, if any.
147784
Absolutely not. Most medical facilities are not allowed to refuse treatment to you even if you cannot pay. Though depending on the circumstance, they may be able to refuse to set another appointment until payment is made (i.e. the dentist)\nI imagine that this facility is using this as a sort of "scare tactic" to prevent people from not paying. However, you are entitled to have a certain amount of time to make a payment. If you cannot make the payment in full you are entitled to make a payment arrangement. If you are sending them a reasonable amount of money each month to try an pay off your bills, they cannot even take you to court over the issue. If they harass you for a higher payment which you are unable to make you can accuse them of harassment.\nIt seems like so many companies try to bully people these days. Please know your rights when it comes to your bills. \nYou are protected under the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. Though these laws apply to collection agencies, I am certain they would also apply to anyone trying to collect a debt, including your hospital.\nCheck out the link below.
43925
I provided a link for the free credit report from the government. As for your medical bills. Call the doctors and explain to them your situtation. Some doctors are known to reduce their bill and sometime even write them off. If your bills are with a hospital, call them and try to work off a payment plan. The best way to do this is to sit down and write a budget for the month. Make sure you list your home, food, and utilities first. Next, car and gas payments. Then other bills, like daycare. Make sure you have all the money going towards something. Just be honest with them and tell them you want to do the right thing and pay them. They should be able to work something out with you.
307485
the best advice is not to avoid the phone call from the bill collectors.  call them and explain honestly the situation - see if they can offer a payment plan that you can afford.  if they are not willing to work with you, go to a credit counseling service - they will offer advice free of charge.  also, check with your state on affordable health insurance - many states have implented programs so that no one has to go uninsured.  try calling city hall to see if they have such programs.  hope that helps.  best of luck.
66299
I think they attorney may have just been trying to make a joke.  The attorney may have been giving you different amounts throughout the process as what the insurance carrier was offering or what he thought it may settle around.\n\nWhen you signed up with the attorney, you should have signed a retainer agreement, which stipulates what percentage the attorney gets from your settlement (usually anywhere from 25-33% plus expenses).  That amount is off the actual settlement, not off of what is left after medical bills.  So if you settled at $50,000 and the attorney gets 33% (hypotheically), he will get $16,500, leaving you with $33500.  After $21000 in medicals, that leaves you with $12500 to cover future medical bills and pain and suffering.\n\nThis should have all be explained out to you by the attorney up front, and is probably done in the paperwork he gave you at your consult.  Getting another attorney will not help necessarily, because your current attorney is legally entitled to what he earned, and he can prove he earned that share of the $50,000.
500340
Their defense will be that you knowingly used their services.  By making a payment you agreed to the contractual agreements.  I don't think you will win this one with such a defense.  Sorry.