I have had a lot of medical tests done over the past year. I never receive any bills from the hospital, but will from like the radiologists office when they read the tests, etc. Between that, and my drs, specialists, etc, I am getting bills everyday. I haven't really realized that I wasn't getting bills directly from the hospital (for what I am not even sure, since it seems like I am getting bills directly from the person that does the test, and the person that reads the test, and then my dr, etc). I called the hospital and they confirmed my address, and that I had a lot of balances that I had no idea about. I set up a payment plan with them, and got one statement since them, which I sent in a payment for (May). Like I said I get a ton of bills, so I just pay my monthly payment for whichever bill it is, and have not really realized that I am getting nothing directly from the hospital again. Now they have sent some of my accounts to collections, and I called asking why and they said they have sent statements (verified name/address), and got no return mail so they can then send to collections. Any idea what the heck to do? I just went the other day for another test, and don't want this to continue happening. I'm almost tempted to rent a PO box just for them, but I find it very hard to believe that they are sending them monthly, and to the right address because I seem to get everything else just fine. UGH this stinks.

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

Call them again. I find that the hospitals will send one every two weeks or months. They are willing to set up payment plans (another one ). Pay as you can. If it goes to collections, you can set up a plan with them.

The bills from the hospital are for facility charges (or for techinical components of a procedure). They charge "rent" for using their equipment, their rooms, their materials, etc.

First thing, I would not call again. I would write a letter explaining the situation, request that they provide you with a total balance (and an itemized statement of what they are charging for). That balance should indicate what you may have already paid, as well as what your insurance (if applicable) has already paid. Advise them in writing that when they provide the requested information you would like to have a payment plan started.

Secondly--even if they do turn you over to collections: Most states have laws that allow to not DEAL with a second or third party (collection agency). If you receive correspondence or phone calls from any agency you have the right to request they not contact you again and that you will deal only with primary debtor.

Thirdly, if you are making an effort (see #1) to pay the debt and it's a reasonable attempt (say $25+/month) most medical providers will let it ride. It costs more to try and FORCE you to pay (collections, going to court, collecting on any court order, etc) than just accepting your effort to pay. Just remember there is no debtors prison anymore!!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Our hospital didn't care if we were willing to send our payments in monthly. They sent us to collections within 2 mo of my ds's delivery. They wanted their money immediately no matter what the cost.

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

Add our hospital bill story. My ds had his appendix removed. At the release of the stay we learned that we were charged for medicine my ds never received. Told the hospital. Received the bill after insurance paid their part. $96.70 was still on the bill for medicine never received. Call the hospital first person said to take off the amount and pay the rest of the bill in full. A couple months later a bill came for the $97.60 that I removed as told for medicine my ds never received. Hospital said that I need to pay it. And then they would rebill the insurance company without the charge and refund me the money. Agree to do so. Couple more months past. Now instead of receiving refund for the $97.60 overcharge I was bill an additional $90.
The hospital and insurance reason because the hospital rebill the total amount in group amounts before like all lab together and now bill each item separate. So the insurance paid more to the hospital and I owed more. They did tell me that I could have them rebill it to see if they would take off the $97.60 and now the additional $90. I said no thanks. Hard to tell what I would owe this time around. Plus from the beginning everything was billed as outpatient. Never could get them to change that even though he came to the hospital at 6am on a Friday and didn't leave until 11 am on a Saturday. Had to pay a $100 copayment for emergency room that would have been waived for admitted. I went rounds and rounds talking to people with no luck.

Always check your hospital charges. When I had my son 18 years ago I requested an itemized bill. I was charged for a foley catheter which I NEVER had. It was removed from my bill. Depending on which state you live in there are different law on medical collections. When I lived in OK they could garnish your wages to get their money. Other places I've lived, this was not allowed. As long as you are paying them something they can't send you to collections. Even if you just pay them $10/month, I don't think they can sick collections on you. Again it may depend on where you live. I would contact the hospital billing department and request the itemized statement along with a monthly statement.

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This conversation reminds me of a discussion I had with our local hospital years ago. After my daughters birth I demanded an itemized bill, I found numerous items that I had questions about, the main one being that they had a charge for the delivery room, along with a charge for the *birthing* room. I never saw a delivery room. I went thru labor and gave birth in the birthing room. When I questioned them about the charge for the delivery room, I was told that they had to reserve the delivery room in case it was needed at the last moment, so therefore, I would have to pay for it, even if I never used it. I actually called the insurance company to inform them that they were paying a charge for a room that they shouldn't be paying for. They couldn't understand why I cared, since they paid for it, not me. That is why our insurance rates keep going up.....they were willing to pay rather than confront the problem!

I had something similar happen. I had outpatient surgery. The hospital billed my insurance. Insurance company paid in a large, lump sum check for a bunch of different claims. One of the claims was bogus, so the check was voided. Well, that reversed the payment on my account. Since they didn't get paid, they sent it to collections. It took a year to finally get it resolved and off my credit report.

Sarah.........mom to Jason & Devin

My preemie daughter spent 6 weeks in a special care nursery but the bill showed she'd spent 6 weeks in pediatrics. Upon calling the hospital about the error and finding out that pediatrics was more expensive than the nursery I asked for the bill to be corrected. They couldn't understand why I'd care because the money wasn't coming out of MY pocket but out of the insurance company. This was 29 years ago and it still pi$$es me off when I think about it.

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