AboutRay A Miller Expertise I am qualified to answer questions on the following subjects: FDCPA, FCRA and HIPAA as well as medical and general collections and collection agency related issues. I currently train these subjects at a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center and audit around 150 representatives for compliance to the laws. I have been in the Collections Industry for over 30 years. I feel that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with compassion and that is the way I train our collectors. Even though I work for a Collection Agency, I get great satisfaction in helping those who have been mistreated or in need of help with these confusing issues.
Experience I am the Compliance Administrator with a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center-I have trained hundreds of collectors on the above referenced topics. I currently train, audit and, give feedback to 150 associates and their Managers. I have been in the medical collections industry for over twenty years and research these topics on a daily basis.
Organizations ACA International
Education/Credentials Some college
ACA Certified Collection Specialist
Question My son owes $1000 to OU Medical Center, (a teaching hospital)in Oklahoma from 2006. When he went to the emergency room he told them he was not employed and had no money or insurance. They have since turned him over to collections and now state he should have filed paperwork as a charity case. They didn't tell him this at the time and now say it is too late.
He has moved out of state, gotten a minimum wage job, and is trying to get an apartment but can't due to this collection report. He is temporarily staying with friends but has to be out soon.
My understanding is that a teaching hospital can request but cannot force you to pay. Their billing department says not so and it can't do anything about it now. Is there anything he can do about this?
Answer I am afraid they are correct. You can verify this with the Oklahoma Attorney General's office. I would call the hospital and push the fact that your son was not offered charity at the point of service and ask that they step outside of there policy and run this bill through their program. For them to turn you down would be a shame since they do receive government funds. You can always suggest that the local paper and TV stations might be interested in a story like this for their Human Interest sections. Good luck with this and I wish I could offer better advice.
