Help with a CA on disputed bill for an eye exam.

[willforste]

I need help on a CA that is trying to collect on a disputed Eye exam bill. I went through having a certified letter sent to the CA using the template found on your site to validate the bill. He sent me back copy of the itemized bill and the “contract” that was signed by me. But no information on his license (they are in WA and I’m in OR) so I can verify if he can collect in my state or not. Additionally, I asked for them to verify if they have been assigned the bill or have bought it (this is from the template that is posted on your site) and silence on both matters.

I want to pay this bill but don’t feel I should cave to being gouged by the doctor (has anyone ever heard of a $310 eye exam!). Specifically, charging for aftercare ($128) when their very contract says that it is not required and I never went back. So how can they charge me for something I did not receive and how do I communicate that to the CA? I also have a problem with them charging $33 and $35 for optiscan and some other scan that I had no idea that would be charged in addition to the regular eye exam.

I’m in the process of filling out a complaint to the Oregon Board of Optometry about this contract that is in clear violation of their administrative rules. So I need time to further that complaint process.

So how do I keep the CA off my back until that is accomplished?

The template ask for 30 days to investigate and the CA sent me a response back “to call immediately to verify I have received this and this bill must be paid ASAP to avoid further collection”.

Do I have 30 days to investigate?

Should I send a letter back asking again for the license number and his relationship to the original creditor?

Thanks I’m sure this has been covered but I sure couldn’t find something that would answer my questions.

[nevermore]

Hi, and welcome to the board. Sorry no one has responded, it's likely no one has a specific answer for this question. Hopefully you have been in contact with the OC and let them know you dispute the charges.

I've personally haven't been in this situation, but this is what I'd do.

I'd contact the OC, if you havent done so already, and dispute the charges in writing, and include a check for the amount that isn't under dispute. Also write the CA and let them know you were overcharged and you are dealing with the OC on this so please return it to them. Then contact your BBB and make a complaint against the OC and ask them to mediate for you. If there is any problem with this being with a CA ask for the OC to recall it, so this can be settled.

There may be better ways to deal with this, and hopefully if anyone has a better idea or thinks this one wont do, they will pipe up.

[willforste]

Thanks for responding

I really don’t think that will work though since I have already contacted BBB in regards to the OC. Which they had 30 days to post or send a reply; that would have been up Jan. 29th I checked on that day and nothing (online). Then Monday the 31rst of Jan. I checked and wow a response was posted. BBB posted an event stating to see the attachment; there was none. I replied to BBB stating that and how could I respond to something I don’t have/see. Next day they deleted their original event and my response posted a new response stating it was sent through the mail. Received it on Feb. 2nd this is where it gets interesting. The OC sent the letter dated Jan. 25 to BBB from Renton, WA from Tigard, OR and yet the event online stated they received the response dated Jan. 26. Amazing! Snail mail has become Hare mail. Obviously they backdated the event and sent out the letter to me on the 31rst of Jan. Quote from the letter “Please review their response to your original complaint and advise us of your position in the matter by February 5, 2005” I get 2 business days and a Saturday. Moreover, they state “If you find you are dissatisfied with the company’s response, please provide us with a MIDDLE GROUND offer we can present to the company in an effort to resolve this dispute” (note their bolding). Let’s just say the OC response was less than admirable. Moral of this story the statement of the BBB being impartial is ridiculous and folks don’t waste your time.

So I’m back dealing with the CA; and wondering if I should send another letter stating they didn’t provide me with the information I wanted. Namely are they licensed in this state (OR they are in WA) and have they been assigned or bought the bill from the OC. I wouldn’t have a clue on what to write to them.

Help don’t leave me hanging.

I sent the letter from this site to validate the debt I even bought a book. I should I proceed?

They have broken the law with their contract (also by the letter sent to BBB) and I need time to go through the proper channels. Namely the Oregon Board of Optometry and the FTC.

[DocDon]

Please keep all topics regarding the same issue in the original thread. There's no need to start a new one, and it gets confusing when they're split up.

Thanks!

Posted by willforste: Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:52 am Post subject: more info on previous post

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for responding

I really don’t think that will work though since I have already contacted BBB in regards to the OC. Which they had 30 days to post or send a reply; that would have been up Jan. 29th I checked on that day and nothing (online). Then Monday the 31rst of Jan. I checked and wow a response was posted. BBB posted an event stating to see the attachment; there was none. I replied to BBB stating that and how could I respond to something I don’t have/see. Next day they deleted their original event and my response posted a new response stating it was sent through the mail. Received it on Feb. 2nd this is where it gets interesting. The OC sent the letter dated Jan. 25 to BBB from Renton, WA from Tigard, OR and yet the event online stated they received the response dated Jan. 26. Amazing! Snail mail has become Hare mail. Obviously they backdated the event and sent out the letter to me on the 31rst of Jan. Quote from the letter “Please review their response to your original complaint and advise us of your position in the matter by February 5, 2005” I get 2 business days and a Saturday. Moreover, they state “If you find you are dissatisfied with the company’s response, please provide us with a MIDDLE GROUND offer we can present to the company in an effort to resolve this dispute” (note their bolding). Let’s just say the OC response was less than admirable. Moral of this story the statement of the BBB being impartial is ridiculous and folks don’t waste your time.

So I’m back dealing with the CA; and wondering if I should send another letter stating they didn’t provide me with the information I wanted. Namely are they licensed in this state (OR they are in WA) and have they been assigned or bought the bill from the OC. I wouldn’t have a clue on what to write to them.

Help don’t leave me hanging.

I sent the letter from this site to validate the debt I even bought a book. I should I proceed?

They have broken the law with their contract (also by the letter sent to BBB) and I need time to go through the proper channels. Namely the Oregon Board of Optometry and the FTC.

[willforste]

Obviously I’m new at this and I’m getting educated.

[DocDon]

No problem.