Friday, December 22, 2006
So frusterating!
The other day, I get a 300.00 bill from a creditor that says I have an outstanding balance from Johnson Memorial Hospital from 2001! 6 years ago? Are you freaking kidding? Im just getting a bill now? Ive never gotten a bill or a phone call or anything! I dont even know what its for. All the bill says is that there are 4 different accounts and it lists the dates of service. So I call the number (which is the creditor, not the hospital) and speak to a supervisor (Dan) and he basically tell me theres no one I can call at the hospital as its out of their hands once they send it to a creditor. All he can tell me is that they (the creditor) just got my account from a different creditor (although they cant even tell me what creditor) as of Dec 7th so that's why I'm just getting it now from them. They said it was balances from Dr. George, and there are 4 different accounts, 3 of them with small balances like $30.00 so it appears like it may have been something that insurance didn't cover or co pays or something. That was 2 insurance company's ago! Its not like I can even track it that way or dispute it through my old insurance company! All they can do is send me an itemized bill with the dates of service. Ok Dan, send me the itemized receipt and then I'm going to call you back and tell you that I'm not paying this because even when I get it, how the hell am I supposed to remember if I was in the office June 12th, 2001 and what it was for? Or if these bills are even valid. He tells me that the insurance company would have sent me an explanation of benefits and I should have known if something didn't get covered. Are you freaking serious? Does anyone save there explanation of benefits for that long? Where were you Dan on the night of June 12th 2001? Seems a little odd to me that someone wants my credit card for $300.00 and they cant tell me exactly what its for, but there certain its from 6 years ago and I was there and its a valid claim. How do I know this isnt a scam just to get my CC number? Dan tells me he doubts the hospital would go through so much trouble as to make up false account numbers.. Yeah, ok Dan, except I havnt ever heard from the hospital, or the Dr's office your claiming I owe, or even the previous creditor your saying you got my account from! And again, need I remind you this is six years ago?! I just got my credit completely cleared up when we were trying to by a house earlier this year. Theres nothing outstanding on it. Wouldn't you think that something like this would have been reported to my credit report long before now? It hasn't. And wouldn't you think I would have known about it by now? Nope, had no idea. So now, I really don't feel that I should have to pay this money or suffer the consequences given that no one has ever contacted me about this in the last 6 years. But, If I don't pay it there going to harass me by phone and mail, report it against my credit report, and they could actually sue me for the money. Any suggestions? As much as I love JMH, this isn't the first time Ive had a problem with their billing. And now I'm set to deliver this baby there any day! Should I save my receipts and explanation of benefits until the kid is 10, just in case? This is absolutely ridiculous!
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4 comments:
It's quite possible they were auditted recently and since most records/bills have no merit after 7 years, their "statutes of limitations" is about to expire shortly, so maybe they're tyring to bully you into it. I would definitely tell them you do not agree to pay a dime until you have PROOF from JMH or any of the prior creditors that can firmly put you there on that day. I think if you spent a decent enough amount of time in a hospital (be it for stitches, out patient surgery or to have a child) you would remember it. And $300 is not "Oh I needed a piss test for work" or something, ya know? If it's not on your credit and hasn't been, let it ride till they can prove it. No sense in getting all riled up about now...get past Xmas and then you can get worked up and go into labor!!
Hmmm, I didnt think about that whole statues of limitations thing. And if its 7 years, do you think I will have to go through a year of them harassing me over it?How am I gonna get proof I was there? Is them sending me an itemized bill enough? Its actually a Dr's office, who I havnt used in years because he is a quack. And he isnt at the hospital but he is affiliated with JMH and must have his billing dept through them. It might have been easier if it was hospital visits because I would remember them more than Dr appts.
If they send you a bill and it looks familiar and it jogs your memory and you were there, then I guess you'll have to pay it, but I really think if it's not on your credit report and they are unwilling to provide you with proof, it's their problem. If they call you just tell them you're waiting on proof from them and to stop harassing you (if they do) until they prove it. It's up to them to follow up with the original debtor, not you. Either they do their job and get paid or they don't!
Clark Howard just talked about this on the radio the other day. He said when collection agency's send you a bill you can dispute it. They have x amount of time (not sure 30 days or 90 days) to provide proof of the bill. An itemized accounting. He says most collection agents dont bother to get that info. If they cant provide it the are required to remove it from your report.
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