You are here:

Collections Law/BILLING INSURANCE / COLLECTION

Advertisement

Expert: Michael Brotherton - 6/5/2008


Question
I had an emergency room visit in October of 07.  My insurance was provided at the time of visitation.  30 days later I received a late notice bill and called hospital accounting.  They informed me that they had billed the wrong provider and not to worry.

No further activity until May 08 when I received another late notice and bill.  Since October 07 and May 08 my insurance provider has changed. I sent a letter to the hospital containing my former insurance information.  They responded with an intent to forward to collections notice.  I have called and left messages day after day with no response.  Finally I made contact and was informed that my former provider was billed May 23.

Clearly the hospital was incompetent in initial billing to the correct provider.  Must I pay for this incompetence?

Answer
Unless you force the issue they will probably continue their collection efforts. If they do, file a small claims petition and get the judge to make a decision in your favor. The cost is minimal and could get some good results. No, you should not have to pay for their incompetence.

Keep me posted so I can share with my readers.

Mike

Collections Law

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Michael Brotherton

Expertise

Consumer/Debtor Rights Advocate. Mike Brotherton is a negotiator with over 30 years experience in consumer lending and collections. Mike has 30 years in the credit and collections industry as a former loan officer, debt collector and manager of two finance companies over several years. Mike is well versed in Loss Mitigation practices and the legal collection process. He has helped literally thousands of people over many years overcome serious financial problems such as foreclosure, creditor lawsuits and abuse by debt collectors. For more information about resolving your "financial emergency" visit www.financialemergency.com. FinancialEmergency.com is a consumer web site which actively promotes Fair Debt Collection Practices and other consumer protection laws. We teach DEBTOR RIGHTS and enforcement of those rights. The more informed you are of your rights and the credit collections practices of creditors the more peace you can have dealing with your FINANCIAL EMERGENCY. Most financial problems are fairly common and as such have some very common solutions. The key is understanding your rights in the collection process and how to enforce them if need be. Primary business- Debtor Rights Advocacy and Debt Mitigation relating to foreclosure, creditor lawsuits, and other serious financial problems. www.financialemergency.com (copy and paste in browser).

Experience

Over 40 years combined experience negotiating disputes and resolving financial issues related to consumer debt, corporate issues and mortgage modifications.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.