Refused Service But Still Billed
I refused medical treatment 3 years ago. I was forced into the ambulance, strapped down, and taken to a hospital. I had several medical procedures done. None of this was life threatening. I have several eye witnesses, one trained in EMS when I refused treatment.
I was strapped down in the hospital because I kept trying to leave. They would not release me until i signed some papers. They had my HMO billing information when I left the hospital and thought that it was all taken care of.
Fast-forward 3 years.
I receive a call on my cell phone stating that I owe 3k in medical bills. I tell them they have my HMO info and that they should bill the HMO. They said that they did but that the HMO refused payment because they sent the bill too late to the HMO(+3 years also). I did not receive ANY letters from this company asking for money before this account went into collections.
Now on my credit report it states that I have an account in collections which brings my score down A LOT.
I really don't know what to do about this. I could just pay the 3k but it would still be on my credit score. I do not understand how they can charge me and kidnap me for medical treatment that I refused.
Should I just ignore this and dispute the collections on my credit report?
Kinds wrote this quick so I hope that it makes since.
Thanks
Re: Refused Service - Still Billed
Quote:
Quoting
ThisIsNotMyHandel
I refused medical treatment 3 years ago. I was forced into the ambulance, strapped down, and taken to a hospital. I had several medical procedures done. None of this was life threatening. I have several eye witnesses, one trained in EMS when I refused treatment.
I was strapped down in the hospital because I kept trying to leave. They would not release me until i signed some papers. They had my HMO billing information when I left the hospital and thought that it was all taken care of.
Fast-forward 3 years.
I receive a call on my cell phone stating that I owe 3k in medical bills. I tell them they have my HMO info and that they should bill the HMO. They said that they did but that the HMO refused payment because they sent the bill too late to the HMO(+3 years also). I did not receive ANY letters from this company asking for money before this account went into collections.
Now on my credit report it states that I have an account in collections which brings my score down A LOT.
I really don't know what to do about this. I could just pay the 3k but it would still be on my credit score. I do not understand how they can charge me and kidnap me for medical treatment that I refused.
Should I just ignore this and dispute the collections on my credit report?
Kinds wrote this quick so I hope that it makes since.
Thanks
Was the hospital in network with your insurance plan? If they were and they bill later than the insurance "timely filing" period, they cannot pass the fee to you. If they wre not in network with your insurance plan, they can bill you and you are responsible for payment.
As for being "forced" into receiving medical care or being "kidnapped" or "strapped down" in the hospital because you were trying to leave, I would have to ask what symptoms brought you to the hospital via ambulance? Sounds to me like it may have been life threatening.
Re: Refused Service - Still Billed
Dispute the charges and demand verification. Also check the SOL in your state. It is possible that they can no longer sue you but they can still hound you. Simply print up a number of dispute letters and keep disputing it every thirty days. Eventually they will not respond and it will drop off.
Re: Refused Service - Still Billed
Quote:
Quoting
ThisIsNotMyHandel
I refused medical treatment 3 years ago. I was forced into the ambulance, strapped down, and taken to a hospital. I had several medical procedures done. None of this was life threatening. I have several eye witnesses, one trained in EMS when I refused treatment.
I was strapped down in the hospital because I kept trying to leave. They would not release me until i signed some papers. They had my HMO billing information when I left the hospital and thought that it was all taken care of.
Fast-forward 3 years.
I receive a call on my cell phone stating that I owe 3k in medical bills. I tell them they have my HMO info and that they should bill the HMO. They said that they did but that the HMO refused payment because they sent the bill too late to the HMO(+3 years also). I did not receive ANY letters from this company asking for money before this account went into collections.
Now on my credit report it states that I have an account in collections which brings my score down A LOT.
I really don't know what to do about this. I could just pay the 3k but it would still be on my credit score. I do not understand how they can charge me and kidnap me for medical treatment that I refused.
Should I just ignore this and dispute the collections on my credit report?
Kinds wrote this quick so I hope that it makes since.
Thanks
Follow the credit bureau procedure for disputing this charge on their report. You might also write a letter to the hospital business office manager stating you never received a bill from them nor a letter from your insurance carrier and their poor billing practice/communication is a reflection on your credit rating. Ask them what they are willing to do to correct their record given to the collection agency.