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Advice on a medical collection


isislc
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Ok, I have a medical collection that came to me for a bill that was apparently for my daughter. When I DVd them they sent me copies of the transaction charges with her name on it even though she was a minor at the time. I called the OC and found out that they never applied her 2 insurances at the time to the expenses which would have left a 0 balance. Now they are trying to collect the charges from me since they neglected to file the claims before they had expired with the insurance companies and the insurance information was in the system for the hospital.

My question now is, Am I responsible for the debt since it was their negligence in filing the proper claims with the insurance company? I'm not even sure if I was with her that night she went into the emergency room. She may have walked herself in or my mom take her but I don't remember the night they claim anyways.

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Ok, I have a medical collection that came to me for a bill that was apparently for my daughter. When I DVd them they sent me copies of the transaction charges with her name on it even though she was a minor at the time. I called the OC and found out that they never applied her 2 insurances at the time to the expenses which would have left a 0 balance. Now they are trying to collect the charges from me since they neglected to file the claims before they had expired with the insurance companies and the insurance information was in the system for the hospital.

My question now is, Am I responsible for the debt since it was their negligence in filing the proper claims with the insurance company? I'm not even sure if I was with her that night she went into the emergency room. She may have walked herself in or my mom take her but I don't remember the night they claim anyways.

If they had an agreement to accept insurance assignment and they fail to file with the insurance company(ies), then the debt is discharged to the extent of what would have been paid had they actually filed the claims.

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You need to know what the Hospital's policy is RE accepting assingnment first.

Call the hospital without giving a name and ask them what their hospital policy is regarding accepting insurance assignment. Do your best dumb blond act and ask to speak to someone in billing. You really need to know what the hospital's policy is they don't have to accept assignment if that is their policy but it is enforcable to everyone.

Tell them you are trying to find out for an elderly aunt uncle or something.

Good Luck

Keep us posted if this works to find out what u need to know

Other option is to check State Statutes to see if there are any laws re: Billing

Only federal ones I am aware of deal with medicare but may be applicale not sure.

How old is your child? I don't think children can sign a binding contract may be your out.

I would say Hit up the Dad this is his Bailiwic. If he signed your name then you may have even more leverage. just a thought.

Moriah

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You need to know what the Hospital's policy is RE accepting assingnment first.

Call the hospital without giving a name and ask them what their hospital policy is regarding accepting insurance assignment.

Their policy isn't worth a hill of beans. What matters is the CONTRACT the hospital has with the insurance company/companies. Providers, and the hospital is one, depend on the good relationship they have with one another. Too many complaints and the provider can be "fined."

Call both ins companies and talk to someone in provider relations. They should in turn call the hospital and explain the situation and the fact that you are not liable for the charges. Don't let the hospital try to make you pay using the fact that you signed papers stating that you would pay if the insurance company didn't. Most of the time this is a smoke screen. I think the only way this would come into play for would be for things like your policy had lapsed, you were suppose to submit the claim for coordination of benefits, or you were liable for the first $$$$ and then you had to submit the bill.....stuff like this.

Call your states insurance department and lodge a complaint. Then call the BBB and lodge one with them, also. The state is the biggie....so call them first. Hospitals don't want black marks on their records. Funding and accreditation is very important to hospitals!

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