Doctor bill rant

[Palooka]

Surprise, surprise. heh.

I have payed on an over 250 doctor bill faithfully for 4 months. They cleared my checks everytime and I just payed them last week. Checked cleared and on time. It shows on my bank on line.

My balance is 75.42 left and they sent a notice in the mail that said this is from a collection agency that they will turn over to collections if I don't pay this in full in 30 days.

Now that does not sound like much at all, right? But this is not the only bill we have so we spread the money around to all doctor bills. Otherwise I would just pay the rest of the balance off. ASAP.

They will be getting a phone call from me tomorrow for sure. Why now are they jerking us around when we have been faithful to them every month!

It says....

This communication is from a debt collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information abtained will be used for that purpose.

Please treat this notice seriously.

So December I hope to pay the rest off or January at the latest. Are they crazy? Turning this over when they are getting payed every month?

Stupid and Dumb. The one time I made a post like this was because I did forget a month. This is not the case. They are almost payed off and on time. *grummble*



I will be calm when I talk to them of course. That would be the doctors office. Just wondering what would be the right thing to say. The only thing I can think of positive is that this got crossed in the mail before they got payed, but that can't be the case since my checked cleared last week and I got this today.

I will let ya all know what happens. If they don't have mercy and can't wait another month or two for the rest of the balance, it goes on my credit card because I am sick of this crap. At least they will be off my butt.

[janelane]

Yes, they are crazy! What a ridiculously small amount to send to collections, even if you weren't paying regularly! I hope they're able to do something for you and it was a mistake or something.

I went through some really severe health problems for awhile and had either no insurance or bad insurance throughout the time, and man I do NOT miss this BS. I can't tell you how many times I've had problems with medical billing departments for one reason or another.

[Palooka]

I wonder if they get payed to be so rude. I worked for doctors before. At least they where cool as hell with their patience. I worked for 5 internal docs and they saw the health of the patience before the bucks. My friend worked in the collections and she was like a poodle and everyone loved her.

My plan and goal is to keep paying them and if they turn me over to collections, that would be sad for them.

They can't garnish my wages because I don't have a job! lol

I will call and continue to make my payments to them and they can take it or leave it.

If collection people ring my phone off the wall, that is the great thing about caller ID.

[knotme]

We got notices like that for several months after my DS had a car accident. We were also paying several Dr's at the same time and we had a lawyer dealing with a lot of the mess we were in. There was 1 Dr that sent us that notice every month. but never did send us to collections. For him I think it was a scare tactic to try and get us to pay him off first. ( we were working on plastic surgeon bills opthamologist bills, orthopedic bills, internists bill, ENT bills, radiologist bills, hospital bills, helicopter, ambulance etc.) So according to this one Dr we were forget all those others that neded their money too and just pay him.. I think not.. We just ignored him and then quit paying him until the settlement when the lawyer did pay him off in full.

[AuntSissy]

First, catch your breath...

Next, please understand that there is no "they" and there is no one out to get you (though I know things like this can make one feel like spitting nails!)...

Here's the skinny re: Doctors' bills:

The schedule of remittances is set in the Doc's computer billing system to spit out paper - - automatically - - every, oh, 30 days or so (some Docs bill every 15 days, but the standard is 30). First bill is a ''notice" or statement of account, 'just in case' you have insurance and a claim has been filed (by law, they can't technically send a 'bill' if you've insurance).

Second bill is the first 'actual' bill, 'cause (again, by law, in most states - - at least in the US) insurance carriers have 15 business days to pay claims from the date received. Added to the time it takes for the mail to be delivered and the $ to be posted to an account, you've reached the next billing cycle - - and you get your...

Third notice, which is really your second 'notice to pay'. If no activity on the account, then the

Final notice drops, asking for $ or you will be turned over t collections...That's another 30 days...And you've reached the point where you are now (you said you'd paid for 4 months, right?).

My advice, call the billing office not the collections agency. Once they understand that you are paying on time, fathfully, each month, they should reset the cycle for you. In the 20+ years I worked in healthcare administration, I've never, ever seen a patient refused this 'courtesy'.

Last, though I understand this is frustrating and stressful, there was virtually no human involvement in the billing process (except for the person who entered the initial account, you mailing the checks, and the person who posted the $). All it takes is a quick call to remedy the matter - - and, by understanding the process, I hope it'll help should you have future Doc bills to pay!

OH! And, yes, most Docs did not use electronic billing until about 12 years ago, when HIPAA came into play - - so there was often a more gentle approach to the process. Now, however, you are at the mercy of the machine (though there may be a very kind person who just may help you out if you explain what a great payer you are!).

And, please - - don't ever ignore a bill from a Doc! If you call and explain your payment capabilities, the account can be noted. Again, I've never seen an office refuse to take regular payments from a patient. ALSO, if you are in financial hardship, there are programs - - and discounts that can be offered (the laws vary by State)...So don't just be a ghost...CALL THEM!

Hope your day is brighter!
Anna

[TexasPeanut]

I'm not surprised to be honest with you. I pretty much had the same thing happen when it was the hospital that set it up for us to pay out so much a month for 5 months. By month 3....we got collection notices lol. I would call the hospital billing office like AuntSissy suggested, it took me another month to clear up the mess that was created on us and make sure nothing was reported to the credit reporting agencies on us as well. So make sure you get that taken care of and check the CRA"s and make sure it hasn't been reported as not payment and in collections.

I have to laugh though and think that this is the healthcare industry and after all they charged us $3000 for 8 stitches. It's almost comical to think they get away with that kind of price gouging on things and then turn around and send you to collections when they are the ones setting up and allowing the payments!

[hippytreehugger4ever]

Why exactly is it that they gouge the pricing on healthcare so much, anyway? My husband just had a 15 minute cat scan and an ultrasound (colon problems) and it was about 3 times as much as my 6 hour visit to the emergency room in July for my gallbladder.

[rainbowgc]

Too much! I am glad you are going to call them up. This situation is just ridiculous!

[AuntSissy]

You know, Palooka, your income-level is not my business, BUT you stated you were unemployed, right? If so, you may qualify for what's called an 'Indigent Discount' (Federally funded for the most part, though some States are able to add more $ to their pots). Some are offended by the term - - but, if it meant the bill could either be forgiven/written off entirely or discounted by household or personal income-level (there are qualifying factors), I wouldn't mind if they called it the 'A$$hat Discount' myself!

Again, as most all US Docs (according to national reports) and all US Hospitals bill electronically, they have no idea what your situation is until you call them...

Frankly, I don't get the whole storming the gates and setting them straight mentality, as I've found that a simple call to the business office is all I've had to do...Most offices have appreciated the heads-up and been extremely helpful in working with me re: my bills. Funny enough, it was because of kind billing office and insurance clerks that I got into the field I am today...I owed over $10K and had maxed out my insurance. Once the dust settled, the insurance clerk helped me to get a job with her company, while I worked part time (for years) at the Doc's office to whom I had owed over $3K. Karma, ya know?

As for the whole 'we're being robbed by healthcare costs' debate, I only came to offer assistance in a situation with which I am more than familiar.

Anna (whose Mama taught her that honey attracts more bees than vinegar)

[Palooka]

Thanks for the reply's. I kid you not and this is the honest to God truth.

I called them first thing this morning and said I had a question about my bill and the letter that was sent. I said I didn't understand becuase I just payed you last week. She said it was because I had to have the bill payed off in three months and that was an agrreement. I said what agreement? I said if that was the case, you had no problem taking my 4th payment last week and now your sending me this? I said I would like to pay the rest of the balance today.(I was just going to use my credit card)

She said sorry ma'am, but it's all ready been turned into collection. I said you will not take my payment today and you took one from me last week so I would be paying you twice this month. She said I could not pay them.

Okay I was nice that whole time up until that point. I said to her, does your office know how stupid that is? I have payed you faithfully and you couldn't wait another month for the rest of the balance and I am offering it to you today and you won't take it?

I said now it will be forever before you get your money since you sent it into collections and I payed you last week and I have such a small balance. How stupid, Click.

I tried to pay them! That is crazy and the very worst office I have ever dealt with.

So guess what..Merry Christmas to me. I am 75 bucks richer and they are 75 bucks poorer.

I am sure that whatever collection agency it is will have bigger fish to fry than my amount. They will have to bang my door down. heh.

Aunt sissy, my husband has a good job so that would not work.

The crazy thing is that I always pay my bills on time and I have a high FICO score.

This was not fair at all so yes I have a bad attitude about it. Is what it is.

[Marie78]

That really stinks Palooka. I agree that you got a bad deal! I have thankfully always had health insurance, but there's always these stupid little things that come up with the health insurance and you have to wonder what "brainless zombie" is working in the billing office of these practices.

I just got a bill for $11 and some odd cents after I had a Dr.'s visit and paid my $20 copay. I called my health insurance first, to see why the Dr.'s office was coming after me for more money, after I already paid them. I recently got married and when I switched to Dh's insurance he didn't list who my primary care Dr. was (because he didn't know and the HR dept. said it wasn't a big deal). Well the insurance company didn't pay all of my Dr.s visit, because it didn't have a listed primary care Doctor. I'm sorry, but the knit wits working in the Dr.'s office deal with this enough to know what must have happened, instead of informing me they just billed me for the rest of the payment the insurance company didn't pay. I fixed the problem with my insurance company and then called the Dr.'s office and when they looked it up they laughed and said, yeah this happens often (well then maybe you could inform the patient in some way so you don't have to generate a bill that is NOT the patient's responsibility!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sick of the average person working hard, doing what they are supposed to do, paying their bills, and STILL having such stupid things happen that seem like they could be avoided. I wish you luck with this issue, it's stupid and total B.S. and it disgusts me at how often this happens.

[FrugalMomof3]

I too am NOT surprised, businesses are scared and want their money no matter how much it is.

I would give them a call and ask them WHY you received the letter as your paying promptly. Ask that a collection agency not be involved as you will pay within a month or so the remaining balance.

I do agree though that bills are automatically generated, then mailed without checking for correctness or even if they should be mailed.

Let us know how things turn out!

[Palooka]

I too am NOT surprised, businesses are scared and want their money no matter how much it is.

I would give them a call and ask them WHY you received the letter as your paying promptly. Ask that a collection agency not be involved as you will pay within a month or so the remaining balance.

I do agree though that bills are automatically generated, then mailed without checking for correctness or even if they should be mailed.

Let us know how things turn out!

Buts that what I did. I talked to the office directly. They refused my payment. I even told them I would pay it today and they refused. They rather turn it over to collections then take another payment. They knew they sent that to me about collections and admitted it because I didn't have them payed in full by the time they wanted it even though I payed them faithfully and they was almost payed off. It doesn't make sense when You are sitting on the phone with a bill you owe and trying to pay them twice in two weeks and they wouldn't take the money.

I could always call them back and ask to speak to some one higher in charge(if there is anyone) and give it a shot again, but somehow I don't think that would work.

I look at it as it's there loss and we do have insurance.

ETA - Also I keep tract of the doctor bills and I even gave her the check number and the amount and date. They already knew.

[HandyMom]

You have my sympathy since I've been dealing with crap like this for years. Just recently, I had promptly paid a bill in full right after I got it in the mail. Almost 30 days later I get the same bill in the mail saying it was overdue when my checking account shows the check cleared weeks before they sent out this overdue notice. I think they hope you don't check and pay it again. Then you would never see your overpayment back.

[Contrary Housewife]

I've seen this more and more recently. I remember not too long ago I used to be able to make monthly payments on a debt like that and the doctor's office was happy to get the money each month. Now they can't wait to send you to collections if you don't pay in 30 or 90 days.

The doctor's office doesn't want your money because they have "sold" the account to the collection agency. They got their money, or some of it, in exchange for the collections people getting the right to come after you for that $75. Stupid, when you were so good about payments, but there it is.

If you pay the collectors quickly and without hassle they may be nice and not report it. AND, you won't get stuck with interest on the debt.