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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    5

    Default Collection of Medical Debt That Should Have Been Covered by Insurance

    My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: New Jersey

    My question is regarding billing and collections. I was notified in August 2017 that I had two outstanding medical bills from 11/7/2012 and 1/24/2013. During this time I had an issue with my medical coverage as there was some confusion. however I was covered (have certificates of credible coverage from both insurances) In the winter of 2013 I was notified of billing issues regarding the November 7 service date and a few earlier service dates as well. I contacted the hospital and provided them the proper insurance/ID card and thought it was resolved as the previous services were paid In full. The same goes for the 1/24/17 service date, but it was under a different insurer.

    I never received a bill regarding these dates nor EOB’s until I requested them in 2017. It is now over the two year limit and insurances will not process these claims. What should I do as it’s in collections. The collection agency states that since 2012 it is on record they attempted to contact me at my current address three times, which, I have only lived at since 2015, and I was never truly notified. My debt totals around 32k for both services.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    Quote Quoting Wjm6440
    View Post
    My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: New Jersey

    My question is regarding billing and collections. I was notified in August 2017 that I had two outstanding medical bills from 11/7/2012 and 1/24/2013. During this time I had an issue with my medical coverage as there was some confusion. however I was covered (have certificates of credible coverage from both insurances) In the winter of 2013 I was notified of billing issues regarding the November 7 service date and a few earlier service dates as well. I contacted the hospital and provided them the proper insurance/ID card and thought it was resolved as the previous services were paid In full. The same goes for the 1/24/17 service date, but it was under a different insurer.

    I never received a bill regarding these dates nor EOB’s until I requested them in 2017. It is now over the two year limit and insurances will not process these claims. What should I do as it’s in collections. The collection agency states that since 2012 it is on record they attempted to contact me at my current address three times, which, I have only lived at since 2015, and I was never truly notified. My debt totals around 32k for both services.
    Could you clarify that part please?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    The only notification I ever received in writing occurred once around Jan 2013 - March 2013 when I was told there was a billing problem, which, I immediately addressed The collection agency stated that the hospital sent a letter to addresses I didn’t live at any longer. Mind you I go to the hospital every 2 months for an outpatient infusion where I never signed documentation or was asked for my updated information. However I was always sure to provide my update insurance as my infusions require preauthorizations. My last notification was from this year - telling me my bills are in collection.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    Contact the insurance companies through which you had coverage to determine if claims were ever made and, if so, why they were denied.

    Were these in-network providers? If so, if their inability to get paid resulted from their failure to submit proper claims to insurance that they had on record, it is possible that they are contractually barred from trying to collect the money from you.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
    View Post
    Contact the insurance companies through which you had coverage to determine if claims were ever made and, if so, why they were denied.

    Were these in-network providers? If so, if their inability to get paid resulted from their failure to submit proper claims to insurance that they had on record, it is possible that they are contractually barred from trying to collect the money from you.
    Thank you for the response, I did contact them and I am aware that they claim that I was not covered by insurance at this time, however, I have certificates of credible coverage proving I did. The hospital/provider also has the correct insurance on file for other claims that had previously occurred and after they occurred (for the January service date). The hospital was and always has been in-network.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    8,006

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    So the insurance companies are saying you weren't covered?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    Right. But in the end the hospital didn’t file my two service dates correctly, and they are now claiming that it’s because I did not notify them of the insurance changes (however I did because the other claims were properly updated)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    The dates you received services should be the dates the services were provided. The question of whether and when you had insurance should have no bearing on those dates.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Medical Debt

    You are correct, essentially I discovered today that insurance is claiming that they cannot process either claims. I in turn called the hospital to find out that although I provided the proper and new insurance cards they did not update those two service dates although I requested it.

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