Comments on: Medical Bill Went To Collections Even Though I Never Received it.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:49:38 +0000

Here’s a great list of thing you can do to prevent being overcharged in the first place at a hospital.

- If possible, call the hospital’s billing department ahead of time and ask them what you will be charged for a room and what that charge includes. If it doesn’t include something you might need, such as tissues, bring your own.

- Ask your doctor to estimate your cost of treatment.

- Bring your own prescription medications to avoid paying top price for medications purchased from the hospital.

- If possible, keep your own lists of tests, medications, and treatments. Hospitals have been known to charge men for pregnancy tests and adults for newborn tests.

- Never pay the bill before leaving the hospital. You may be told this is required, but it is not. Before paying your bill read it carefully, and compare it to the estimated costs you were given before being admitted.

- Demand an itemized bill, and ask for a detailed explanation for any items you don’t understand. Don’t accept generic answers like “lab fees” or “miscellaneous fees”.

By: John

John — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:54:55 +0000

You can list your used or unwanted equipment on medwow marketplace for free.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:20:02 +0000

SO, I was in a car accident in February of 2009. (almost a year ago). long story short, was the other person’s fault, I settled, got money to pay the hospital, etc. Had several things happen during the course of the year that led me to have to spend that saved money from the insurance co. Meanwhile… Hospital bill NEVER made it to my house. yet… was told it bounced back and forth through two auto insurance companies, both denying (of course, expected) to pay. My boyfriend’s (the owner of our car) policy said they’d pay for the bill, which of course, never happened. so it was up to me to pay it. Spoke to someone saying they’d send me something to sign agreeing for a 12 month payment plan in october. Never got the bill. Again was told id be sent something (with a 40% discount because I was ”uninsured”, and paying out of pocket) in mid December. Still no agreement came in the mail. Got a call back January 4th (today) saying oh, there’s a problem, you settled with the auto insurance company, you can only get 25% off your bill now) WHAT?! I told the kid on the phone the first time I spoke with him (it’s so far been 3 times up to jan 4th I’ve spoken to him) that i had to use my settlement money and nay payment plan we would work out would be awesome. I guess now my question is; isn’t there a certain time in Florida when a bill become void, you don’t have to owe on it, if the billing dept. screws up like this? Or, shouldn’t I be allowed to contest this screw up in court because I’ve been told 3 or 4 different things to this point?!
Any information would be awesome. Or even where to visit for information. I’ve searched, and I know laws like this exist…but I am in Ohio, so obviously I know different laws exist for different states. Oh gosh… we’ve all had such nightmares with stupid hospitals!

By: When We Received a Collections Letter

When We Received a Collections Letter — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:48:58 +0000

[...] It’s surprising how many collections letters are sent out by mistake (at least, the bill hasn’t been received…or it hasn’t been received (again)…or it’s already been paid). Normally [...]

By: david

david — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:04:32 +0000

Thanks for the all the comments guys, it’s good to know that some of us are in the same boat by no fault of our own!

By: Zee

Zee — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:38:35 +0000

I had a similar thing happen too: a bill I’d never received was sent to collections. The only twist was, it went to collections *6 years* after the service was rendered. My credit was fine for years and then I tried to take out a loan for something and the bank called to ask if I knew I had a bill in collections. I didn’t know that since the item wasn’t there when I’d checked my credit report two months earlier! When I called the hospital, they said they’d sent me a bill right after my hospital stay, and then heaven knows what happened for the next 6 years, and suddenly I owed an amount to a collections agency for 4 times what the original bill was.

And, of course, when I called the collections agency they didn’t care I’d not received the original bill: all they knew was that they’d paid for this CURRENT bill and wanted their money. I eventually negotiated a settlement with them for something over the original bill but much less than what they wanted me to pay and it got taken care of, but it was a total nightmare for several weeks there.

By: stngy1

stngy1 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:20:34 +0000

Happened to us too. One was semi-legit, the other way wrong. I have a theory that hospitals (hey I was a nurse for ages) go after -intensely- people they think will pay up. They do get a lot of deadbeats and uncollectible bills, so they overcharge and enthusiastically go after the rest of us. Rather like a bully.
I’ve learned to go through bills from medical practices, labs, hospitals, etc with a fine tooth comb, AND compare what my insurance EOB says I owe and what I’m charged. There have been real discrepancies. I have sent more than one “strongly worded” letter demanding detailed bills, I’ve disputed charges, threatened to report them to the insurance company, and basically told them to STOP. It’s worked so far, but what a hassle–just when you don’t need it. Our medical expenses typically exceed $4k/year, so I get plenty of practice.
Don’t forget there is a time limit for collecting on a bill, but if you pay even a portion of it (whether you think its a mistake or not), the clock gets reset.

By: Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan

Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:53:50 +0000

This happened to me, but not with a hospital bill, with a lab bill. I was at the lab for several days in a row with my newborn for blood draws, but one bill never made it to me because it had the wrong address on it. And, like you, the collections people were very nice about it did not negatively impact my credit.

By: The Friday Gathering For 4/25/2008

The Friday Gathering For 4/25/2008 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:32:10 +0000

[...] My Two Dollars – Medical Bill Went To Collections Even Though I Never Received it. [...]

By: Wade Young

Wade Young — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:42:28 +0000

Make sure to check your credit to make sure it doesn’t show up. Collections people sometimes lie. http://www.annualcreditreport.com — it’s free.