[BCR]

Every couple of years I get a notice in the mail, stating I must pay this bill before its sent to default.
Fortunately 2 of the 3 main credit bureaus no longer deal with medical.

Most people will not know from looking at me that I am disabled (I'm ok with that, trust me I still have my personal issues)

I get these bills from a hospital that has sent to a collector, yet the hospitals know me well. Or should, I have been going to this hospital on/off for last ~40 years, and they know I am permanently disabled for last 20 years, in multiple way I may add.

Yet every other year, usually when a new president comes through (but not always, and not this time) I get a letter that disability is not covered/they will not pay/etc.. for whatever computer glitch a person can see is easily wrong (specially when it is sent to a collector every time) That all they need to do is look back last visit, as well any and all visits to local hospitals in the county. That state has me listed as such.

It does ruin my credit for a short time, once in awhile. Fortunately I budget well, and am on top of it most of the time. But times have shown to drop 20~30 points for a few months.

Heck, I know I should not be angry, as it is likely a auto computer glitch that will never be fixed in my life time. As well, if they really knew the actual medical costs I racked up in the hospital for 2 years, and ICU for nearly 1 of those years. I would never have any credit with my richening 9 bills a month (that's dollars, sadly) Even sadder is 7 of those goes towards rent, here in Sflo..

I guess it would be better for me to have the last laugh every once in awhile.
Sorry for ranting on nothing.:|

 

[DaninVan]

You'd think the Debt Collection Agency would have picked up on it by now? Surely they've flagged your name??

 

[BCR]

Yeah it would seem that way. But as stated, not in my lifetime. Perhaps when all computers are true AI or even by the time a small quantum (home) computer is made without the need for liquid nitrogen.

 

[George B.]

Years ago my wife had hospital bill we could not pay in full immediately. I made a payment and sent a note that we would pay the balance over the next two months.,,Next thing I know we receive a letter from a collection agency. I called the collection agency. They tell me we can have six months to pay the balance. I say thank you and pay the balance over the six month period offered. It took the hospital longer to get their money and got to give half of it to the collection agency. What is wrong with this picture?

 

[DaninVan]

Heh...well done, Sir!
They're supposed to arrange a repayment schedule, not bludgeon the 'owee'.

 

[gdonham1]

I used to get letters about a credit card that was not opened by me and charged to the limit. Every 2-3 years the "Debt" would be sold for pennies on the dollar to a new collection agency. I would get a letter about the debt and threaten me with doom. This cyclic notification may be the same thing. The debt is open at the hospital and they wrote it off and sold the debt to a collection agency. When the collection agency figures out you are not going to pay it they sell it on and on.

What I would recommend if it is really the hospital that is trying to collect is to call them and ask them to discharge the debt and get it off the books. IF the hospital no longer has the debt you can ignore it or simply call the collection agency and get their address and write them and tell them not to contact you any more. If they want to go to court they can but they never do. Most likely your debt has been sold and the collection agency is trying to get money and will write you periodical hoping they can worry you into paying.

I know that getting demands for money are annoying but confront it directly by calling and writing try to get the debt discharged so they will quit bothering you.

 

[BCR]

Oh I did that immediately. I told the lady not even to speak, and let her know I have been disabled for 20 years, per state of florida.
And to never send me another notice. This always gets them to stop, but my rant is that it hurts my credit for about 2 months. And that it happens every other year. It is always a new/different debt, but always from same hospital. If they were not the closest hospital to me I would go to another (which I have done in past)

 

[Knothead47]

My wife and I had two separate bills with a hospital. They kept applying payments to the wrong one, even though I put the account number on the check. I finally got tired and sent a $1 payment. Cost them more to process it than what they received. Computers run billing. I used to get a past due notice a couple of days after I pay the bill. My bills are paid within 24 hours of receiving them or picked up the following business day.
Do you have papers confirming your disability? That plus the date of approval would be good to have.

 

[MEBCWD]

One common problem with health systems they have different codes for the same procedure. There is one procedure they do on me that coded one way it costs twice as much and is listed as exploratory and the insurance will not pay any of it, coded as a preventative procedure it cost half as much and the insurance will pay everything except a $20 copay. I always try to remind them to use the right code when the do the procedure.

 

[BCR]

Do you have papers confirming your disability? That plus the date of approval would be good to have.

Of course I do. Not to mention a Medicare card, that shows disability.

Thanks for the stories fellows. Most of what others have said, has happened to me as well (multiple times) to note: I had one that was also putting payment on another account, yet I was sending with correct act #. Then the next month I would do double payments so the original act. did not lag. I have started doing phone payments rather than sending checks, it has helped on that matter, so I can here the automated response on exactly which act. payment is going to.