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Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 04:13 pm: | 
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IF they dropped the bill that far already - it shows that the billing was way over and done in error to begin with.
It is typical - they have a differential pricing because IF you have insurance, and they accept that plan, they have to agree to the settled and contracted amount.... all the 'lost' money ends up somewhere .... usually on the next round of bills from the bloke that is paying cash, not on an entitlement, not on insurance, and not aware of proper and ethical billing procedures.
(they hope that you will pay it, because it is a bill - you would be surprised at how many people do - especially the older generation : don't even get me started about them balance billing Medicare beneficiaries in flagrant disregard of law and ethics)
this just when through the news with the Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood - no matter where you stand on the morality of funding what they do .... They are billing for services NOT performed - fraud as hell - I have busted our local office 3 times in the last two years. Billing for services not rendered is an easy scam - when medicaid, medicare electronically AUTOMATICALLY pay out if the coding is proper. We call em ghosts. IE there is an actual patient ssn, it is a legitimate and licensed provider with a T.I.N. and a certified modem to CMS... and a valid CPT coding for a service..... NOBODY is minding the kitchen, it is the fat kid at the bacon buffet.
CMS will claim they are more 'efficient' than private insurance because of their lower cost of overhead to provide benefits.... but when you are spraying the street with a firehouse of mispayments, you don't get to brag that you fixed a leaking faucet and so you are 'saving' water.
I am betting that there are several billing errors in there, the fact that they dropped their pants so fast when you said lawyer affirms it. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 04:19 pm: |
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on another note
those of you that hate hospitals and collections... feel better - the IRS is now available to TAX LIEN your assets to collect come 1.1.2014.
That new Health Care bill is nothing more than forced seizure and asset forfeiture for the fed.
If you think it is bad now - wait until the IRS gets their medly mucking meat hooks into it.
And all the new EMR/EHR records that they are so glad handing about the success of medical cures..... is all the collection skip trace data that an analyst has wet dreams over.
In Washington state, they have already started getting the 'Asset Declaration' form filled out for ANY inpatient admit - regardless of insurance, or medicare - so when it goes live - hello revenue stream
Its in the bill - pity your legislator didnt read it ... double pity if they did and did NOTHING about it. |
Whatever
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 05:14 pm: |
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Personally, I have delt with a lot of this crap.
If I were you, I would send them a check on the first of the month, every month for $100.00.
I would also call them every Monday and tell them you are considering bankruptcy. F***, if you want to drive them really nuts call them every day on your lunch break to tell them that.
What no one will tell you is THEY WILL SAY ANYTHING, legal or not, to try to force you to pay.
They will intimidate, harass and bully you as long as you let them do it to you.
I had one lady who started the "We will report to collection agencies..." on me.
I ended up screaming at her "Do you think I give a Flying F*** if you report me, I got laid off and have just spent 4 months in the hospital."
It was different after that when I talked to her and she knew she couldn't bully me.
I used to see the phone number, pick it up and say, "OH MY FAVORITE LADY, HOW ARE YOU, DID YOU GET MY CHECK?"
She would say yes and I would hang up on her. They cut my calls back to once every three months after that.
I finally got it paid.
The worst they can do is take you to court, and even then you can go bankrupt. That whole process may take several years, though if you send SOMETHING every month.
I wish I had City around when I was 60K and later 40K in the hole. It would have helped a lot.
Also, if you can prove financial hardship there are drug program companies that will give you meds for free. Google the meds manufacturer and see what they offer.
If that does not work you can legally get meds from Canada. I had to do this the year I worked for the Army because I was in the "pre-existing conditions clause".
In the US I would have paid $360 a month cash, and through Canada I paid $60 a month. Contact me first though, there are a lot of fraudulent websites.
I contacted the authorities in Ontario and got the Pharmacy License number to make sure they were bona fide before I sent them anything. |
Preybird1
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 05:26 pm: |
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I appreciate all who have had helpful advice on this matter and the (badweb community in general all good people). I know earlier in the thread i was being a little childish but i was just frustrated and venting so everyone don't take what i said to heart. I have never skipped out on my bills ever and i have every intention of paying my bills responsibly. I still have a few options to work out so just wish me luck and thanks to all. |
Guell
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 05:36 pm: |
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I appreciate all who have had helpful advice on this matter and the (badweb community in general all good people). I know earlier in the thread i was being a little childish but i was just frustrated and venting so everyone don't take what i said to heart. I have never skipped out on my bills ever and i have every intention of paying my bills responsibly. I still have a few options to work out so just wish me luck and thanks to all.
Good to hear, we all get overwhelmed every once in a while, hope it all works out for you! |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 10:18 pm: |
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Very commendable response to a very frustrating experience.
On the meds, maybe get a 2nd opinion from a doctor who comes highly recommended? |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2012 - 11:45 pm: |
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I agree with Blake . . this is good to see and I'd predict good things ahead. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2012 - 10:23 am: |
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for your prescriptions take a look at Astra Zenica , and the Peoples Pharmacy Plan
both of them have significant savings and subsidies |
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