Call someone and tell them your plan and ask them not to turn it over.

Do you have health insurance? If yes, what is your maximum out of pocket? Check with your insurance company to make sure they have paid their amount.

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Originally posted by Linda LD:
Lenny,

Call someone and tell them your plan and ask them not to turn it over.

L

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I have had more than a little experience with this.

DO NOT agree to a payment plan of any type. Make a payment of whatever you can every month.

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Originally posted by bettyg:
Lenny, I agree with Linda.

Do you have health insurance? If yes, what is your maximum out of pocket? Check with your insurance company to make sure they have paid their amount.

I will have paid my MAX shortly for 04 when we get the bill. Betty G., Iowa

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That's a good point. I was just talking to a coworker and I'm gonna call them and see what's up with that.
Do uncovered prescriptions usually count toward your deductible or max out of pocket? I bought about $2,000 of uncovered Bicillin this year.

I'm gonna call them this afternoon.

You know you can take the $2000 on meds off on your taxes--right?

Well, I contacted my insurance agent and then my health insurance company. I went thru each charged item with the insurance customer service. I'd discovered some very interesting charges on there, alright. I told him the discrepancies and he recommended that I contact the doctor again to clarify the incorrect charges.

After the call they told me that there will be a new statement submit to insurance company. Later I received another billing statement with a "few dollars" off! Well, I call the insurance company and asked to speak to a supervisor for this problem and stated that I need his/her personal help.

Guess what? After my conversation with him and clearly explain what had occured at my checkup and several unrequested tests performed by the doctor plus my financial issues due to my chronic illness he said I have nothing more to pay and I did paid my $35 co payment already so there I'm in the clear. He's going to deal with the doctor.

This is not the first time I got cheated by doctors with my money but also with my health. Most of these idiots have no clue what they are doing and they also try to rob you blind if you are not able to defend yourself. So don't pay the bill until you've checked out all sources and how to handle that. Email me if you need help. I have a large network of friends who are very knowledgeable with many issues so I can get answers for you. This really gets my blood boiling. I'm sorry you have to deal with this right now.

First off, most medical practices operate as any other business. They provide services at an agreed-to price and the person receiving the services is obligated to pay the bill.

If you receive unsatisfactory service you should discuss this with the office administrator. Almost every office has a policy for addressing these concerns. Also, if you are being billed for services that were not performed, they you have every reason to complain and get it corrected.

If you are looking for discounted services, you should discuss this ahead of time. If you are uninsured, practices have flexibility in their rates and may have a sliding fee scale set up to address lower-income patients. There are a number of government programs that require practices or individual practictioners to provide a sliding fee scale. Inquire about these ahead of time.

If you have insurance, you are covered by a contract that limits the flexibility that a provider has in reducing your rates.

For example, lets say that your insurance pays 80% of the contracted rate. It is illegal (and considered insurance fraud) for a practitioner to write-off the patient's portion of this bill.

Here are some specific answers to your questions (which differ from others on here). If indeed you owe the money, you should make every effort to pay the bill; even if you have to borrow money from a bank. Medical practices and hospitals can and do send people to collections, and these debts can and do affect your credit rating. They can garnish your wages and they can put a lien on your house or property.

Also, conversely to the advice offered above, if there is no way to pay your bill, I would call the billing office and ask to talk to someone about it. I would make an offer to make payments. The industry average is 10% of the outstanding balance per month - many practices/hospitals can and do charge interest. Most hospitals pay collection agencies 25%-50% of your bill to service your account. They are very motivated to have you make regular payment instead.

I know that this doesn't sound sympathetic and I'm in a similiar situation now myself, but did you walk into the office expecting it to be free or "pay as you're able?". Consider this to be one of the most important emergencies in your life. If you had to get your car fixed and it cost $1000 would you expect to pick it up and just pay as were able to?

One other insider's tip. If you call the accounting department, do not give them your cell phone number unless it is your only phone (and then make sure you tell them that). They are very unsympathic of people who prioritize luxuries ahead of medical bills. If you can afford a cell phone, you can pay your medical bill.

Just my 2 cents worth...

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Originally posted by SteveInMinnesota:
I would make an offer to make payments. The industry average is 10% of the outstanding balance per month - many practices/hospitals can and do charge interest.
If you had to get your car fixed and it cost $1000 would you expect to pick it up and just pay as were able to?

By the way, the doctors on our staff who saw Medical Assistance patients averaged $46/hour. My plumber just charged me $68 for 15 minutes.

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I was hoping to make payments for a few months. Which they will let me do, 90 days worth. So I can pay them it just make it pretty tight...especially this time of the year.
If I want a new clutch on my car and don't want to pay, I deserve to have my credit ruined. If I want to be healthy and stay alive and I'm willing to make payments I don't think I deserve to have my credit ruined. If I flat out don't pay it, then ruin my credit.
My plumber lets me make payments.

Thanks for the info.

I have never had a hospital charge interest.

That is always what they say, "we cannot accept that".

If you have been paying $200 a month over the number of months that you have had this bill, 95% of medical practices would not send you to collections. It makes no financial sense to them. Keep making monthly payments of whatever you can afford on a regular basis. The first thing they check when someone asks to make payments is their payment history.