Really Upset (Bloodwork Test swapped)

I had bloodwork done in July before I started my bipolar meds. It was to be a baseline before I started any medication. My p-doc office doesn't have a lab, so I went to an idependent LabCorp place. It was set up where they don't bill you up front, so I didn't pay anything that day. They were supposed to send the results to my p-doc within 10 days. After 3 weeks, my p-doc hadn't received them and sent them an email asking where they were. Still nothing. After 4 weeks, they sent another email. Same after 5 weeks. At five weeks, my p-doc's office CALLED the lab and asked where my results were. They said they had no record of me ever coming in. My p-doc office called one more time and asked them to search with all my personal information to see if there was some sort of mix up, but the lab said no, they had no record of me coming in. My p-doc then asked me to call.

So then I called. First time they said, Nope. No record of me coming in. The second time I called in I gave them the confirmation number of my appointment and told them the lab tech's name I saw and even the conversation we had when she took my blood. They said I was lying about having bloodwork done and I needed to schedule an appointment and show up. I hung up crying and decided I needed to go to a different lab to have the test done. For the last six months I have assumed they must have lost my test.

Until yesterday. (Yes, six MONTHS later) I got a bill at my house. For $400. For the test from July. It was addressed in someone else's name but to my address. This is the very first letter I have from them and it is marked in giant letters PAST DUE. So I put two and two together and figure my test was swapped with someone else's since the letter is addressed to someone else. Or the test was run under someone else's name. I don't know. Somehow the test was compromised. Because they have my address and it says PAST DUE it concerns me and I call them to get the charges dropped since they screwed up. I have excellent credit and don't want it somehow to mess up my credit. So I call.

Only they didn't drop the charges!! They say they will fix the name on the test and send a new invoice to me. I said that was unethical. They swapped the test, so the results are not reliable. They had told me in August that they had no record of me getting a test and to get tested again. They hadn't even figured out what went wrong until I figured it out yesterday and just called in. I am so mad. They would not transfer me to a supervisor. I think this is so wrong to charge me for a test they mishandled and swapped with someone else's.

I am writing a letter, but the address they provide is for the same location of the call center so I'm not too hopeful. How in the world do I convince them that billing me for this is wrong? There is no way I can submit this to my insurance. They are not going to pay for a second claim of the same bloodwork. I just can't believe this mess. This stuff is so aggravating.

I'm trying to stay calm, but I'm coming off a really horrible couple months of a severe depressive episode. My p-doc is still switching up my meds. I'm doing a withdrawal from klonopin and lexapro right now and feel lousy, so I'm sure that isn't helping my mood. I want to be rational, but maybe I'm not. Tell me...it isn't fair for them to bill me for a blood test they swapped or tested under someone else's name, is it? Is it unreasonable for me to want them to drop the bill? I shouldn't be crying over this, but today it really has me upset.

It's absurd for them to bill you for something they never delivered on. They messed up, wasted your time, your doctor's time, accused you of lying. Your insurance company may actually have advice on how to handle this. What a mess.

Contact them and say that you will be contacting the state attorney general if this is not resolved. Make good on the promise. Businesses are terriified of the AG. I had an apt complex cheat me. I told them I was going to contact the AG. They said fine. I did. The AG just sent them a letter saying they were starting an investigation and the complex immediately cut me a check for the disputed amount.

Also, don't worry too much about the "past due" notation. Our local hospital sends ALL bills out stating that they are past due. It is apparently a way to motivate you to pay quickly?

Good luck!
EJ

I would be livid also.

Just write down everyone you call date/time/who you spoke to etc..
Advise your Insurance company, If they have paid claim trust me they will demand repayment from the lab ASAP.
I agree with Eliza about contacting the Attorney General, just call them. then inform the lab you have already called no need to ***** foot around at this stage.

This will be all figured out in the end. I know this mess isn't doing you a bit of good.

I'm sorry

call your insurance, please.

I guess I wasn't clear. Because they didn't bill me in July, and I didn't hear from them until this week, the insurance hasn't been billed for twice. It's up to me to either pay the lab the $400 or to submit a claim to the insurance company for this test that was lost/swapped in July. When I had the second (what I thought was the first "real- not lost" labwork done in August) I submitted that to my insurance. Now that this has been mysteriously "found" I'm not thinking they will cover the same tests twice. I guess I will call the insurance company anyway. Maybe I'm assuming wrong. Thank you all. I'll write down a log of everything. And thanks for the suggestion of the Attorney General too. I hate feeling helpless. I'm not generally one to throw a pity party, but I feel like these people are big bullies. Thanks for your kind words. <3