Furious!

While our credit is still trying to recover from HH's illness and my obliviousness to it, we've been working hard. Whenever we get a medical bill we can't pay, I pay as much as possible and wait for the next month to do the same. Hospital bills get paid the least amount of money because they will cover everything once our application for help goes through. Doctors and other techs get paid more - as much as we can do.

Each month its the same. Slowly, I whittle the bills down and eventually these people get their money.

As long as they send me a bill.

This morning HH and I received a lovely wake up call from a collection agency. We owe money to a doctor - a doctor HH saw while in the hospital during his second "episode". This was in September of 2004. 2004!

We received one bill. ONE! Five months after his stay. I still have the bill stub actually (I save everything). I did what I always did with these kinds of bills - paid as much as I could and waited for next month's bill. Which never came. I contacted the doctor's office and they sent another one and I paid a little more on it. However, things get hectic and life gets busy. I didn't remember to call each month and demand a bill (they don't allow you to just send them money - whose account would they attribute it to).

Several months later, I wondered about the bill - but I thought I had paid it all since we hadn't received another bill (and there was talk at the time of parental help).

Apparently not.

So now, we must pay X amount of dollars before the end of the month otherwise there will be something added to HH's credit report. Don't get me wrong, the agency is more than willing to work with us to pay this off, but still the end of the month or it affects our credit.

I'll be damned if I've worked my *** off for 3 years to get our credit rating on the road to recovery for us to get a set back now. It will not happen. That bill will be paid by May 31st. Right now, I just don't know how.

Long story short - I CAN'T PAY BILLS I DON'T RECEIVE!

OH geezelouise, what a major YUK !!! Why can't people/society be consistant so we can plan our survival strategies????? You did your best. Good luck working through this bomb. Sorry sorry sorry

((((((((((((( 1day )))))))))))))

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. How utterly frustrating, especially for someone who tries so hard to keep all the insanity in order.

Hugs,

Jan

I've had similar situations, and when I said, if I haven't received a bill or notice, how was I to know/remember it was due?
But the office the bill was sent from, told me, regardless if you didn't recieve one,if it had been lost in the mail,it was still our responsibility to call and send a payment. Though I was really pissed, I later realized they had a point, and sent a payment in.
Our mortgage company often screws up, sending our payment coupon/bill late, or even once while they were in transition. After the one time they attached a late charge fee to us once, I call them right away and say, "where is my payment stub"? Yes, I know I can cut you a check, but I can bet, without that slip your computer payment department will screw up, being lost of how to work outside of common procedure. I know for a fact, so I demand they send that month's stub and refuse to pay late charge if it is sent later than it is suppose to, they said if they are late like this to disregard it when they screw up.
Ah, I know it is so aggravating, especially when dealing with so many docs/hospital bills when there are things going on in the household with the family member(s) and their illness.
After dad died, mom wasn't taking and paying their bills, her dementia/care less attitude had herself putting the mail in grocery bags and shoving them in the closet, which I found, and then knew why nothing was paid and loads of collection agents were calling her, my husband and I, had to work so much with the agencies, to save her ***.
When we moved her, we did what my dad had done with certain monthly bills, put on direct payment, cause I know my mom is so gone, she wouldn't even write a check. But that is a whole other story.
I'm sending you positive energies,and wishes for luck with this stuff.
Take care now,
DE

I have had something much like this happen to me when I saw a doctor right after my ECT. I still do not remember seeing him or why or what I even saw him for. A couple of months later, the first bill arrived along with a final demand and a rude note. I called them up and asked why I was receiving a final demand and a rude note when the bill was only being sent for the first time. Naturally they were not interested in anything I had to say other than to demand the money.

I agree that it is not your responsibility to call each month. It makes me so angry that payment is expected promptly when the administration of sending out bills is a mess in the first place.

Wishing you much relief for you.

We did call them (after we didn't receive a bill). They never sent another bill - even though we requested it. I don't have an address to mail a payment to so my hands were somewhat tied. It's just so frustrating to try and stay on top of things and have this happen.

I feel like this office set me up to fail.

My parents had their cable turned off after the cable company forgot to send them a bill/it got lost in the mail. My mother called to get it resolved and even the rep couldn't argue when she said "if we don't get a bill, we're supposed to call YOU?" It's totally illogical! She ended up not having to pay some of the fees to get it turned back on. Probably because she has good credit and pays everything on time. But again, that's a different story.

Thank you everyone for your support. I haven't decided how or where we're going to get the money but it's nice to sympathize with others. I appreciate it.

Oh, I feel for you, it is very aggravating when they take this attitude, it is their responsibility to send a bill, regardless if we are responsible to pay.
One thing that really is annoying is when med bills need to be paid and then we wait to see how much hospitilazation covers,then they pay and the doc office and/or hospital issues you a credit, grrrrrrrrrr! Oh, and of course they make you wait long, while you are now out of that cash, why the heck they do not do like some, send it in and then bill us any unpaid balance?? I'm grateful that I do have hospitalization through my husband's job, naturally he has a good portion taken from his pay to have it.
I hate when one has to be calling a billing dept.,get put on hold or get the "leave your name and number and someone will get back to you", could you imagine??
I don't blame you for being furious, if it helps any, vent here to us, it can help a bit to at least talk to someone that has had similar situations or even the same.
Please take care,
Roe

((((((((( 1dayatatime2 )))))))))))))

Sounds like a good way for this company, institution, private...whatever to get more money. I once had a cable company set me up with cable. My husband.....grrr...you wouldn't believe this, ordered 100 dollars worth of porn of the movie demand center. The cable bill was in my name.

They sent one bill, I made my husband pay for his dirty nasty movies, but we were unable to pay the basic stuff...because of the dirty nasty movies. Well they never sent another bill, and like 3 years later I received a letter from a creditor and told me if I did not pay X amount to them by this time I would have my credit affected.

I truly think that that is a way for them to receive more money, because the later the payments are, the more they charge (in this company at least). It's all crooked crap.

I hope it all works out for you and you don't get what you've worked hard for affected by this.

Huh!! Sounds familiar!! I didnt get my utilities bill for the past winter and then I got a letter from their collection department, believe me, I was on the telephone as quick as anything and I told them their 'fortune'!

Then to cap it all.......... I work for a credit card company and was given a credit card with a 3000 pound credit limit, which was a godsend while I was waiting to get my benefits, I had to pay 3 months rent (2100.00 pounds). Anyway, they sent their bill thru to me and I paid the bill the day before it was due, but because it was a Bank Holiday here, they received payment late and they decided to charge me a late payment fee of 25 pounds.......... they also got a phone call!! stupid f**kwits honestly............ grrrrrrrrrrr and pffffffffft

I wont even mention cell phone companies because I have pulled out most of my hair already and might get mistaken for ET should I be brave enough to go outside..........

Money does not make the world go around unless you are a debt collector or insurance company.......

Huggles and I hope you get sorted out soon

Thanks everyone for your support. I guess it's just one more example of "life's not fair". We'll survive somehow, but it doesn't make it right.

I appreciate the support.

The saga continues...I'm literally shaking I am so upset.

I guess collections agencies must deal with some interesting folks. However, when I have been trying for THREE weeks to get you your payment I expect to be treated with some respect. Afterall, I am making the effort to pay you.

Why on Earth should I be cautious when doling out hundreds of dollars to a voice on my phone demanding money? I mean, your number comes up "Blocked" on my caller ID, so you COULD be from the company or you could be Betty in her home working some scheme. I don't know.

Why on Earth should I be cautious in doling out hundreds of dollars to a company that "doesn't send bills"? It's not like I could send you a check (without my husband's name on it) and you might lose it. Ohhhhh no.

Furthermore, when I am TRYING to get enough information to feel comfortable mailing a payment to your office, since you don't send bills, try not to be such a *****.

Telling me that I am actually not trying to pay you and that I am trying to "bail" only infuriates me. You don't know me.

Telling me that you don't have to answer or explain anything to me since my name isn't on the account doesn't make me want to work this out any faster. I will be the one paying you.

Not answering the phone after you hang up on me doesn't really give me confidence in your professionalism either.

Karma is a boomerang, lady. I hope it knocks you upside your head real soon.

Any ideas who I can complain to about this woman? Besides the nice manager hubby talked to last week. We're definitely calling her tomorrow.

First of all, you must complain IN WRITING, to have any lasting effect and continued notice. Verbal orders/notes often don't make it into the "file" and often aren't carried through on.

Now, breathe. You are doing what's good and safe for you. If they can't deal with it, oh well... but if you can care for yourself enough to not get shaken... maintain some calm... this isn't about you (their incompetence.)

((((1day))))

I don't know about there in the States, but here all the calls that go thru a call center are recorded in case of dispute, which is a handy thing to know.

I would write a letter to this company, keep copies of all the mail you send and receive from this company. get the name of the TOP dawg and write directly to them.

I have worked in a call center before both in sales and in collections and these people who generally call are told to deal with the calls themselves unless it gets into a major dispute!!

I know exactly how you feel though!! I have cancelled a couple of things since I am not working, unnecessary things and I keep getting calls from them.............. complete f*ckwits, dont know how to take a NO for an answer then have the cheek to get very very pushy and persistent!!

Its a dirty job and some one has to do it though i suppose, I should take up training people how to be POLITE over the phone.

But yes write to them!! Best of luck

Complain in writing to the company and send a copy of the letter to Better Business Bureau in your area. You might want to ask them, too, if this company is legit, too.

Some people! I swear!!

Oh good point (BBB) when speaking with them, suggest that the FTC (federal trade commission) or the Dept of Professional regulation (re the doctor's allowing the billing hassles)should be contacted because of this, might trigger them into paying better attention to you

Thanks everyone.

Hubby is calling tomorrow to speak with the nice woman we've dealt with (she was apparently not in today - I don't believe that). I will be writing to the company, the BBB, and the FTC. Thanks for the suggestions!

Trying not to let this bother me. In a sugar/Moolatte induced haze currently.

((((((((((( 1day ))))))))))))

I hope hubbt makes progress with the nice manager. Most boo on the mean woman!

I hope you have a much better day tomorrow.

Hugs,

Jan

Besides recording the complaint in writing, I would write a letter to my local newspaper. I have gone to the media before for poor customer service and lack of professionalism.

Might seek help from local churches. Can't guarantee it but is worth a try. They may even be able to lead you to some help.

1day,

I am truley sorry to hear about all this. I know how medical bills can pile up, you pay and still there is a stragler.

I have worked at collection agencies, Dr. offices and so on. In my experience, payment plans are offered and you can keep an account from being reported to the credit bureau. However, it can only be extended for a certain period of time.

In addition I am going to go off on a rant here because I am still amazed that DR.'s offices, hopitals, and other healthcare professionals do not automatically discount self pay patients. You see, these Dr's participate with various insurance companies and in doing so, agree to accept their payment as payment in full and contractually adjust the balance. For example: if you see the Dr and the visit costs $100.00. The Dr. office bills your insurance and your insurance only allows $35.00 for the visit, then the overage of $65.00 must be contractually adjusted and the patient/member may not be balance billed. But when a Dr. see's a patient with NO health insurance they want to charge them the full $100.00 for the visit and are quick to send them to collections when payment is not received. I dont understand why a courtesy discount isnt given off the top to the self pay patient. It makes me sick. I work in this field and I know that our company, which is very large does well over 3 million per year in charity care for self pay patients, and others who can not afford services.
I also know that in the state of Maryland, Dr.s, hospitals and other facilities CAN NOT charge a self pay patient any more then what they would receive from the insurance like a usual and customary. As far as I know, Maryland is the only state that does that and I hope that other states will follow suit.

I know I have rambled here but everytime I hear a story like your it burns me up everytime. But at the same time, I know that these DR.s do not get paid as much as they once did and these insurance companies demand more and pay less and the whole system is screwed up and quite honestly I dont even know what or if there is a solution. Just know that I understand what your going through and just so you know, when a credit report is pulled on you or your hubby, medical bills are not taken too seriously. They take delinquent accounts and stuff like that more seriously. It still is reported but not looked upon as badley.

Please keep us posted. Take care hun.

Huggles,

Jen