Would you pay the $218.30 or fight it? And, please tell me how to fight it from this point on!

[mom2lucas]

The story starts last February. We got a bill from my OB for a charge that they had fought with the insurance company over since July 2008. This was the FIRST bill we had actually received over than notifications when they refiled with insurance. We sent a check for the full $528.xx. (Side note: This was for a Level 2 ultrasound the diagnose a heart problem with DD. The specialist said she didn't have it, and she did have the defect when she was born plus another worse problem that should have been seen on the L2.)

November 2009: We get a collections letter for the $528.xx plus $218.30 for a collections fee for an unpaid bill. We sent a dispute letter, the original invoice, the cancelled check copies, and all communications between us and the OB office to the collection service and to the OB's mailing address via signature delivery. The OB's office returned their copy unopened. The collection agency sent a letter that it was "under review". We called and were told it could take 60 days to verify.

February 2010: We get a bill for the $218.30 and a note that we owe that amount because it was a "collection fee" from the OB and not the collection agency. (We paid upon the first actual bill we recieved, within 30 days.) We dispute via registered mail, yet again. We send copies, again, of everything we had. DH called and spoke with a supervisor. The supervisor researched it and said that our check was cashed (based on the cancelled check data) one month after it was mailed to the OB's office. That same day, we were turned over to the collection agency for the $528.xx and the $218.30. He said it was their mistake (OB's office) and he would call us back or send us a letter when it was taken off or "written off". DH called collection agency multiple times since and was told it was in process and supervisor was busy. DH left his number and requested call back. MULTIPLE TIMES, like at least 5.

Today: We get another letter demanding payment in full immediately. :hectic1: I called, explained the situation, and was put on hold for 27 minutes. DH called while I remained on hold, spoke to a rep we've dealt with before over this, and she said the supervisor was on another call. She said he'd call back Monday to discuss. She did say she had notes on everything, but she couldn't give us more information. Her recommendation: We needed to send them another dispute letter with any "new information" we had. he told her there was no new information, and we had sent dispute information in February. She could see that in the notes and said she had no authority to waive the $218.30, but she would talk to supervisor and have him call us on Monday.

Now, please tell me why I should have to send yet another dispute letter since we sent one in February for this same issue? The OB office refuses to speak to us about it since it has been turned over to collections. We seriously are at a loss as to what to do since we have disputed and fought and sent proof with no resolution. We kept being told someone will call us, or that it's in process to be written off. Obviously, nothing has changed. Do I need an attorney? Would you just pay the $218.30? I'm so frustrated. :hectic1:

[allison1887]

I would fight it- Try contacting your local attorney general or take them to small claims court. If you have the proof then they will have to pay all of the fees.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I would re-send the dispute letter with all copies of checks and stuff that you sent before. And if they are reporting this on your credit reports I would dispute it there as well by mail with copies of all paper work.

[mom2lucas]

I would re-send the dispute letter with all copies of checks and stuff that you sent before. And if they are reporting this on your credit reports I would dispute it there as well by mail with copies of all paper work.

I'll have to run a credit report and check on that. It was not being reported in February, but who knows by now.

DH said I get too stressed over this stuff, that it's just business. He's right, but I just can't help but get stressed. :hectic1:

[leqet]

Yes, keep fighting it. Also keep trying to contact the OB's office about it. Don't let them tell you there is nothing they can do. It's THEIR fault it was sent to collections by mistake. They need to contact collections for you. I had something similar happen with a neurologist's bill (it was their fault it was sent to collections, I had paid my bill in full) and the neurologist's office had to fix it by contacting the collections company. The collections people will not listen to you, they just want to get paid whether you owe the debt or not. They hear all kinds of stories from people trying to get out of paying, they may seem friendly and like they are working with you, but they just want to get paid. They have no motivation to really look into your case and take it off. Also, consult with an attorney and let the OB's office know you are consulting with an attorney and are prepared to bring a suit if this is not fixed by them. Good Luck!

[melodyjg]

I would demand that the doctors office take care of it!! Since it was their fault it was turned over to collections in the first place. Tell them if they don't take care of it within 30 days your lawyer will be calling them.

[$Saving!]

I agree with the suggestion of contacting your States Atty Generals office and see if they can offer immediate assistance.

If not, should you have a local TV station that does Consumer news and fights for the consumer, contact them. They're highly successful because the OB's office will not want the bad press in their backyard

I would absolutely go public if you could.

[shaeharbin]

I completely agree!

I agree with the suggestion of contacting your States Atty Generals office and see if they can offer immediate assistance.

If not, should you have a local TV station that does Consumer news and fights for the consumer, contact them. They're highly successful because the OB's office will not want the bad press in their backyard

I would absolutely go public if you could.

[CW&M Mom]

Yes, keep fighting it. Also keep trying to contact the OB's office about it. Don't let them tell you there is nothing they can do. It's THEIR fault it was sent to collections by mistake. They need to contact collections for you. I had something similar happen with a neurologist's bill (it was their fault it was sent to collections, I had paid my bill in full) and the neurologist's office had to fix it by contacting the collections company. The collections people will not listen to you, they just want to get paid whether you owe the debt or not. They hear all kinds of stories from people trying to get out of paying, they may seem friendly and like they are working with you, but they just want to get paid. They have no motivation to really look into your case and take it off. Also, consult with an attorney and let the OB's office know you are consulting with an attorney and are prepared to bring a suit if this is not fixed by them. Good Luck!

Yup this!

[lmcconne]

My lay opinion is there is no basis for a small claims case yet as there has been no unjustly deserved payment by you and no loss beyond minimal expenses. Now if they were to garnish your wages or something for the "$218.xx collections fee, then the opposite. I would be sitting in the OB finance manager's office everyday until they took care of this since they are the instigator of action.