shamrockgal Posted February 21, 2003 Report Share Posted February 21, 2003 Last year i went to my doctor, and waited and waited on a check from my insurance - they cover $60 per visit, which was a total of $112 - I put off paying any of it because I was waiting on this check, which I was going to endorse over to the doctors office.Well, I put it off a bit too long - my doctors office didn't even let me know, and then they BAM - hit me with a collection letter from a collection agency.Within a day of getting that letter I sent a check to the Doctors office, and after it cleared I called the collection agency and said that I had just gotten their letter and that I had already paid the doctors office, that they needed to contact them.They OBVIOUSLY didn't like this, they wanted the check # and date of the check, I didn't want to give them any info, said they needed to contact their client and they hung up on me. Called again and the lady said that the doctors office would turn around and cut me a check for the same amount, that I needed to endorse it and send it to them.Well, I called the Doctors office like 3 weeks ago (last week of January) and they also said that they were going to cut me a check, but after 3 weeks of nothing - well OVER a month of them having the $, they send me a check in the mail. I explained to the lady at the doctors office that my insurance screwed up, and in fact, once i got my insurance straightened, they sent an ADDITIONAL $60 to the Dr's office. The doctors office said that if the insurance paid for it all the way that it wouldn't be an amount that "Couldn't be recalled" from the collection agency. So, at this point - The doctors office has insurance companys $60 and I have a check for $112 on my desk.Any idea in the WORLD what to do?? Validation? But what else?? It doesn't seem right that they would deposit the money and then refund it a MONTH later. And the funny thing is that the letter from CA was dated 1/3/03, but the doctors office assigned it to the CA in late December - CA said they got it on 1/2 - So my whole thing ALSO is that I could have paid the Drs office on 12/31 and I would still be in this predicimate.Any ideas?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted February 21, 2003 Report Share Posted February 21, 2003 I'm a little confused. As to the way you wrote it, does the Dr's office now have $120.00 and you have $112.00? If this is correct, go see the office manager at the Dr's. Go through the whole thing from A to Z. Let them know they have too much money and get it straightened out. The office can tell the CA to stuff it, or, as some do, pay them their share anyway. Don't give the CA anything. I can't believe the Dr's cut you a check. I have never heard of that before as any other time they would accept and settle with the CA, especially if assigned. If they don't, still go to the office and do the same thing, but, give them the check and get the balance back. Just make sure you get a PIF receipt from them. Then, I would find another Dr. as this one has a bunch of idiots working there (afraid of a CA?) which could mean poor medical care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronMan Posted February 22, 2003 Report Share Posted February 22, 2003 You could always tell the Doctor's office that they are the real party of interest, unless they sold the debt to the CA and the CA owns it now. If that's the case, demand proof.Doctor's office didn't follow Fair Billing practices it sounds like. They are supposed to send you past due to notify you of your default and give you opportunity to pay up. They should also notice you that it's going to collections.Anyway, if they didn't sell debt to CA and merely just assigned it be collected on, then paying Doctor's office is enough. CA's just pist cause they can't get squat since they were unsuccessful in collecting it. Well, that comes with the territory in the collections game, too bad.Inspect the back of your cancelled check and see how it's endorsed. If it was tendered by Doctor's office, that's enough to show payment and satisfaction. Check anything you signed at doctor's office that makes you responsible for other fees, or to any assigns, etc.Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrockgal Posted February 22, 2003 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2003 :notsure: My bank doesn't send the checks back at the end of the month. Is it worth paying them to request a copy of it? I knew I was past due on paying it, but nowhere did it say anything of the nature that it was going to be sent to a CA if payment wasn't recieved in a certain amount of days. Right now the doctors office has $60 from the insurance company, I couldn't endorse this whole check over to them anyway, I only owed $112. I dont want anything to show up on my dang credit report but this is just ridiculous. Couldn't I have it removed (If and when it is reported) if I send the Credit reporting agencies a copy of that check? Hmm, not sure. Looks like I'm stuck between two companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted February 22, 2003 Report Share Posted February 22, 2003 It would be worth the charge to get a copy of the check as it would show the endorsement, any possible alterations, etc. No, the CRA won't remove with a copy of check. Now is the time for you to go after them. The above comments and advice give you sufficient info to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronMan Posted February 23, 2003 Report Share Posted February 23, 2003 I would arrange that the bank send you all cancelled checks at the end of the month. That way you can keep them and destroy them at YOUR will, not their 3 years or whatever it is. Besides you have quicker access to them, and no fee to pay.You could have requested this when you signed up for on-line banking. I did it. I told them that if they wouldn't honor my request in sending me my checks, that I didn't want on-line service. It should cost nothing for them to send you your checks each month. When it comes to money, I still only trust what goes in and out by my hand. I will always do my best to keep control.Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrockgal Posted February 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2003 When I opened my account it was an option but it was a pay for service. I've never needed a copy of a check before now anyway...*sigh* Oh - and believe me, its not free for a Bank to offer that, I've worked in 2 banks and have seen the behind the scenes - its quite amazing. We are one of the only societies that use checks so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadynRed Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 :worry: :bun: :moo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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