Expert: Ray A Miller - 10/18/2011

Question
Hi Ray,

We live in Illinois and received a dental office statement, written on it collection and contact them to avoid our credit score affected, it was 4 years ago the last time we went there. On the statement, there is just the total amount due they are claiming without any details to justify this amount. We were their patients for three years (three people) which means a lot of dental services. I talked to the billing person and had a verbal agreement that we'll work together to resolve this issue without involving a collection agency, and I'll let her know by email what I need from her to reconcile this account and validate the total amount that is claim from them.

I sent her an email confirming our mutual verbal agreement that we'll work together to resolve the issue and requesting some reports I need to reconcile the account, which are history reports sorted by patient name and an excel report showing: each service date, claim sent to our insurance, ins. adjustment, payment received from insurance co, payment received from us and balance due after each service date, the final report should match the amount on their statement. I informed her that I contacted my insurance to have all the claims they received from their office so I can match it with her reports. But I never heard from her, the following week I resent an email asking when I should expect these reports, but she's still ignoring me. I have her right email address, because I received an automatic out of office reply after the second email I sent.

With the backup (emails) I have showing I tried to resolve this issue with them - Can they still damage my credit? If yes, what can I do to protect my credit score? I'll pay them if I owe this amount, but they must be able to justify this amount on their statement they are sending. Am I wrong? If this is that easy to screw up people credit score by sending statement without having the obligation to valid the amount on it -  all of us, American people, is in big trouble.

Thank you for your help,

Answer
The main thing that needs to happen is that you resolve the debt.  Send the office manager a certified letter explaining what you have to have in order to make this happen. Ask for an itemized bill showing all charges and payments and give them 30 days to respond.  Also, ask that they not report this to your credit history until you have had a chance to resolve it.  If you have not heard from them in the time allotted, send them another letter stating that you have referred this matter to Consumer Affairs, the BBB and the Attorney General of your state.  Make sure you copy the dentist with the letters. That should do the trick.  Thank you for your question and good luck with this.