I haven't read the entire thread, but will share a similar experience I had many yrs ago.
Probably 15+ years ago had a preventive colonoscopy scheduled. Prior to the procedure, I went into the office where the procedure was to be performed w/ all my info and specifically asked what charges I would be responsible for. I was told, no charges, they were in network with my insurance. it was a "preventative" procedure, no charges. I got nothing in writing stating such, however.
FF some time after the procedure I rec'd a $900-ish bill for the anesthesiologist. Having the name and phone # of the person I originally met F to F with, I called her up and explained the bill I rec'd. And that I was told since it was preventive medicine, there would be no charges. She said the anesthesiologist used did not accept insurance.
I told her I wasn't going to pay it since she specifically told me the was no charge for the "preventative procedure". I didn't care if they reported it as debt, etc.
I received a series of past due bills, then letters from bill collectors. I just ignored them all. Then some time later I received a letter (reduced bill amount) from either the office where procedure was performed, or maybe it was the anesthesiologist? Don't recall.
Letter said they would consider the debt paid in full if I sent them a much smaller amount. I want to say it was about $180-ish. So I sent that much reduced amount in and that was the last I ever heard of it.
OP might try playing some sort of version of that, or try and negotiate the bill down.
Probably 15+ years ago had a preventive colonoscopy scheduled. Prior to the procedure, I went into the office where the procedure was to be performed w/ all my info and specifically asked what charges I would be responsible for. I was told, no charges, they were in network with my insurance. it was a "preventative" procedure, no charges. I got nothing in writing stating such, however.
FF some time after the procedure I rec'd a $900-ish bill for the anesthesiologist. Having the name and phone # of the person I originally met F to F with, I called her up and explained the bill I rec'd. And that I was told since it was preventive medicine, there would be no charges. She said the anesthesiologist used did not accept insurance.
I told her I wasn't going to pay it since she specifically told me the was no charge for the "preventative procedure". I didn't care if they reported it as debt, etc.
I received a series of past due bills, then letters from bill collectors. I just ignored them all. Then some time later I received a letter (reduced bill amount) from either the office where procedure was performed, or maybe it was the anesthesiologist? Don't recall.
Letter said they would consider the debt paid in full if I sent them a much smaller amount. I want to say it was about $180-ish. So I sent that much reduced amount in and that was the last I ever heard of it.
OP might try playing some sort of version of that, or try and negotiate the bill down.
Statistics: Posted by morsetaper2 — Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:00 am — Replies 34 — Views 3270