I recently received a medical bill. As you know some doctors offices have billing companies do their billing.
In looking at this recent bill, one I had just paid the balance on, I noticed there was a charge for something apparently done last July 2014.
However I knew I hadn't had it done. The billing company billed our insurance of course and billed me for the balance.
I called and asked about it since I didn't recognize the doctors name. Certainly NOT my doctor. They explained it was for "lab" work and the doctor was the pathologist.
I informed them that I do not have lab work done in office but by an outside lab.
I also explained that I save ALL statements and that this charge had never shown up before.
Mind you this "bill date" was 6/29/15 but the so called test was 07 of last year. She said the insurance had finally paid on the charge. ONE YEAR LATER?
She said she'd look into it and get back to me. Which she did and stated that the charge was an error and they would have to refund the payment to the insurance company.
SO MY POINT?
DO NOT simply pay a medical bill if there looks to be a mistake. (this bill was less than $10)
DO NOT toss your statements for medical bills. Keep a file.
If you make partial payments STILL KEEP THOSE STATEMENTS. Write on the statement the amount you're paying the check/money order number and date it.
I keep a file for each family member and match bills to insurance statements.
If you don't know your copays call your insurance company. DD just told me she'd been being charged the wrong copay by her doctors office. Do not trust the doctors office. I don't think they do it purposely but they do make mistakes.
Had I simply paid the bill, I and the insurance company would have been cheated. We did recently change health insurance companies.
I have a very common name as does DW. Keep an eye on our credit record too.
Too if you can't pay the entire balance don't hesitate to call the billing office and explain your circumstances. Do not ignore your bills. I write a note and mail it with partial payments. While they say they'll note the account they DO NOT always.
We all pay more when these types of mistakes happen.
I wish you well,
Rancher
In looking at this recent bill, one I had just paid the balance on, I noticed there was a charge for something apparently done last July 2014.
However I knew I hadn't had it done. The billing company billed our insurance of course and billed me for the balance.
I called and asked about it since I didn't recognize the doctors name. Certainly NOT my doctor. They explained it was for "lab" work and the doctor was the pathologist.
I informed them that I do not have lab work done in office but by an outside lab.
I also explained that I save ALL statements and that this charge had never shown up before.
Mind you this "bill date" was 6/29/15 but the so called test was 07 of last year. She said the insurance had finally paid on the charge. ONE YEAR LATER?
She said she'd look into it and get back to me. Which she did and stated that the charge was an error and they would have to refund the payment to the insurance company.
SO MY POINT?
DO NOT simply pay a medical bill if there looks to be a mistake. (this bill was less than $10)
DO NOT toss your statements for medical bills. Keep a file.
If you make partial payments STILL KEEP THOSE STATEMENTS. Write on the statement the amount you're paying the check/money order number and date it.
I keep a file for each family member and match bills to insurance statements.
If you don't know your copays call your insurance company. DD just told me she'd been being charged the wrong copay by her doctors office. Do not trust the doctors office. I don't think they do it purposely but they do make mistakes.
Had I simply paid the bill, I and the insurance company would have been cheated. We did recently change health insurance companies.
I have a very common name as does DW. Keep an eye on our credit record too.
Too if you can't pay the entire balance don't hesitate to call the billing office and explain your circumstances. Do not ignore your bills. I write a note and mail it with partial payments. While they say they'll note the account they DO NOT always.
We all pay more when these types of mistakes happen.
I wish you well,
Rancher
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