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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:05:54 AM EDT
[#1]
Debt collector bought your debt. It’s no longer your debt to pay. Your gtg. I learned that on Tik Tok.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:12:43 AM EDT
[#2]
Holy shit, reading the OP, that's just highway robbery. I mean, that puts the old stories about transmission repair places to shame. Dayum.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:14:39 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It is a violation of the FDCPA for a debt collector to make threats or pretend to be a law enforcement agency, threaten you with jail time or arrest etc. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I got a call one day from a person with an accent that I could barely understand, making not nice threats. I had no fucking clue what they were talking about. . It is a violation of the FDCPA for a debt collector to make threats or pretend to be a law enforcement agency, threaten you with jail time or arrest etc. This is true, OP if any collector threatens you with arrest, pretends to be law enforcement, threatens to sue you but has no intentions to do so, is racist towards you, or cusses you out. If any of these things happen then you need to sue. I recommend that you read the key points of the FDCPA and the new Reg F, these 2 laws are meant to protect you OP. If the collector texts you with out prior consent, you need to sue for that because that’s illegal. Your best move is to hope the collector messes up and to sue, once this happens you will be labeled as a “litigatious debtor”, most collection agencies won’t call you and that will lower the amount of money they can sell your account for. This also speeds up the process of them selling your debt off to the next collector. Like I said before if this debt is passed off to multiple agency’s then your chances of being sued go down. Being a LDA will help you. I will continue to be active in this thread throughout the day OP and assist where I can. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:16:42 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They can't take your shit but they can sue you, get a judgement then place a lien on your house and pursue other assets. This is true in Florida for sure. The lifeflight helicopters always beat the Hospitals. They file a lien on your house first before you even land. It only comes off if they get the cash. A nurse I work with paid in full for her husbands ride and had to lawyer up because they wouldn’t remove the lien from years ago. She couldn’t sell her house. What a headache. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:17:46 AM EDT
[#5]
Pay your bills and get insurance.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:20:36 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Correct. You want some screwed up advice? If you ever go to the ER, give them fake information. I have customers who did this. Guy was a gang banger in chicago when he was a teen, got shot in leg, went to hospital and gave them fake info...... never paid a cent. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: And, the guy next to you, is likely welfare scum whose treatment is being paid for by your tax dollars. It is truly a fucked up system. Correct. You want some screwed up advice? If you ever go to the ER, give them fake information. I have customers who did this. Guy was a gang banger in chicago when he was a teen, got shot in leg, went to hospital and gave them fake info...... never paid a cent. People who have been victims of identity theft get bills too. The fucked up part is when the victim goes to the hospital and the criminal changed all their medical history. They get the wrong meds or has wrong allergy list from the updated visit and gets hurt or killed. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:23:08 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Another reason you don't give a hospital or healthcare provider your SS# |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:23:37 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have no advice, but that's insane. Sorry you have to deal with this. Same. I'm going to shoot every animal I see from now on. Also  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 7:44:26 AM EDT
[#9]
OP below are a few links that have some good info regard FDCPA and Reg F.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/2021-11-30/ https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text I haven’t read through all of these, but they appear to have the information needed. They might over lap a bit. Again what you need to do is send a CND and validation letter ASAP like today (use the link on page 1). The top left half on page 1 of that template is for you to provide your mailing address btw. Expect them to call you within the next week, if they call you before the letter is delivered thats ok. You need to say “I have sent you a letter on xyz date to validate this account, you are not allowed to call myself, family, friends, and my place of work. Consider this a cease and desist. All communication must be done via mail. Have a wonderful day, bye.” |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:10:31 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: OP below are a few links that have some good info regard FDCPA and Reg F. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/2021-11-30/ https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text I haven’t read through all of these, but they appear to have the information needed. They might over lap a bit. Again what you need to do is send a CND and validation letter ASAP like today (use the link on page 1). The top left half on page 1 of that template is for you to provide your mailing address btw. Expect them to call you within the next week, if they call you before the letter is delivered thats ok. You need to say “I have sent you a letter on xyz date to validate this account, you are not allowed to call myself, family, friends, and my place of work. Consider this a cease and desist. All communication must be done via mail. Have a wonderful day, bye.” I am getting ready for work. Bringing the letter with me. I will send out the letters today after work. Thanks for your help my man. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:14:35 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I am getting ready for work. Bringing the letter with me. I will send out the letters today after work. Thanks for your help my man. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: OP below are a few links that have some good info regard FDCPA and Reg F. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/2021-11-30/ https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text I haven’t read through all of these, but they appear to have the information needed. They might over lap a bit. Again what you need to do is send a CND and validation letter ASAP like today (use the link on page 1). The top left half on page 1 of that template is for you to provide your mailing address btw. Expect them to call you within the next week, if they call you before the letter is delivered thats ok. You need to say “I have sent you a letter on xyz date to validate this account, you are not allowed to call myself, family, friends, and my place of work. Consider this a cease and desist. All communication must be done via mail. Have a wonderful day, bye.” I am getting ready for work. Bringing the letter with me. I will send out the letters today after work. Thanks for your help my man. No problem happy to help, sorry to keep pushing the letter. It’s just a very important step, it also shows the collector you’re not a fool. Best of luck, you have any questions just reach out. Edit: don’t forget to send it via CERTIFIED SIGNATURE REQUIRED mail. You want proof it was delivered and signed for. Mail the letter to the mailing address on the letter they sent you. That letter is required by law to provide you with a mailing address. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:15:42 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The consequences if the dog was rabid = death  4.5 million dog bites reported last year and 5 people died from rabies, likely from wild animals. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:16:54 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Tell them to suck your balls FpNI. It’s the easiest, most straightforward way of addressing their bs shenanigans. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:44:29 AM EDT
[#14]
The debt collection agency bought your debt on good faith that it was a legitimate past due bill. IF I remember correctly, as I went thru this a long time ago, if there are fraudulent charges on the bill, the debt collection agency can either remove and settle for a lesser amount or kick it back to the hospital for false charges.
Firstly, if you do not have a breakdown of the service(s) that the hospital provided (IE itemized), that's the first thing I'd get ahold of. I would get this in person at the hospital. Actually, demand a paper copy and wait for it. Secondly, get a lawyer. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 8:59:34 AM EDT
[#15]
Hospital billing is one of the few things I will say is truly deceptive and abusive and most of them deserve to get fucked.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:08:29 AM EDT
[#16]
My mom (no insurance either) broke her hip and spent three nights in the hospital. Since she was indigent they came after my brother and I for the $130,000 bill. They negotiated down to 19k which we paid out of our pockets. What a sorry state of affairs.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:15:23 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The consequences if the dog was rabid = death Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: You got bit by someones little dog and went to the hospital. Hospital is to get your heart pumping again. It's not like it was a racoon stumbling around, missing half it's hair and frothing from the mouth. I got bit all the time riding my bike as a kid from neighborhood dogs. Hospitals suck, sorry you couldn't pass the ridiculous bill on to the dog owner. The consequences if the dog was rabid = death Um, rabies is 100% fatal. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:18:53 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Um, rabies is 100% fatal. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: You got bit by someones little dog and went to the hospital. Hospital is to get your heart pumping again. It's not like it was a racoon stumbling around, missing half it's hair and frothing from the mouth. I got bit all the time riding my bike as a kid from neighborhood dogs. Hospitals suck, sorry you couldn't pass the ridiculous bill on to the dog owner. The consequences if the dog was rabid = death Um, rabies is 100% fatal. 0% of the time from domestic dog bites. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:20:41 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 0% of the time from domestic dog bites. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: You got bit by someones little dog and went to the hospital. Hospital is to get your heart pumping again. It's not like it was a racoon stumbling around, missing half it's hair and frothing from the mouth. I got bit all the time riding my bike as a kid from neighborhood dogs. Hospitals suck, sorry you couldn't pass the ridiculous bill on to the dog owner. The consequences if the dog was rabid = death Um, rabies is 100% fatal. 0% of the time from domestic dog bites. Lol really? You going to run that risk? Dying from rabies is way down on my list of preferred ways to go. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:25:42 AM EDT
[#20]
These guys that hang out on street corners and end up getting shot and hauled to the hospital for lord knows how much in $$$. You think that they sweat the bills?
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:33:07 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: He has a house. He won't get medicaid. If he has any savings, even 500.00, he won't get it. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The price you're quoting is likely for the drug alone. That doesn't count the labor costs, overhead and other supplies. The debt collection likely bought that debt for pennies on the dollar and the longer it goes they will likely be willing to accept less. Why not offer to settle for $10,000? Did you not qualify for Medicaid since you didn't have health insurance? He has a house. He won't get medicaid. If he has any savings, even 500.00, he won't get it. Wrong. Medicaid is only income based now. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:33:09 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You got bit by someones little dog and went to the hospital. Hospital is to get your heart pumping again. It's not like it was a racoon stumbling around, missing half it's hair and frothing from the mouth. I got bit all the time riding my bike as a kid from neighborhood dogs. Hospitals suck, sorry you couldn't pass the ridiculous bill on to the dog owner. Morale of this story is to use the ER to get the bites treated, and the county health dept for the vaccines. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:35:56 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Collection agency can do that? OP didn’t do business with them If you look at the language of any contract between yourself and a business, you will see a clause that says "XYZ company, its successors and assigns". The collection agency becomes the 'assign' if it buys the debt. Similarly, if you have a loan with LittleBank, inc and they get bought out by BigBank, Ltd, your loan doesn't vanish - it becomes the property of and due to BigBank. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:46:47 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you look at the language of any contract between yourself and a business, you will see a class that says "XYZ company, its successors and assigns". The collection agency becomes the 'assign' if it buys the debt. Similarly, if you have a loan with LittleBank, inc and they get bought out by BigBank, Ltd, your loan doesn't vanish - it becomes the property of and due to BigBank. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Collection agency can do that? OP didn’t do business with them If you look at the language of any contract between yourself and a business, you will see a class that says "XYZ company, its successors and assigns". The collection agency becomes the 'assign' if it buys the debt. Similarly, if you have a loan with LittleBank, inc and they get bought out by BigBank, Ltd, your loan doesn't vanish - it becomes the property of and due to BigBank. This is correct, this is also where validation comes in. OP should get paperwork from the collector proving that they have the right to collect. They need to show the paperwork OP signed that states they can legally collect on this account. You would be surprised how often this key paperwork is missing. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 9:52:45 AM EDT
[#25]
What is shown in the detailed charges from the hospital? Is most of that cost allocated to the emergency room?
I wonder whether the collection agencies get those details. Not that they'll care, it's just business. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 10:00:35 AM EDT
[#26]
that sucks
I got the shots and IIRC it was like 7k -paid by insurance the fact that they are coming after you only shows that they think you have $$$ and care about being honest. the pay-zero fuckbags using the ER for a scratch are the ones driving up the prices |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 10:01:58 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a gentleman from a different forum tell me his bill totaled a little over 1k. It is blatantly obvious they are ripping me off. The vaccines and immunoglobulin are both old technology, and they were administered by a run of the mill nurse in my shoulder, like any other shot. Funny how the COVID shot is free, considering it just came out and was done so under emergency circumstances. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I'm pretty sure I posted about it before but I went through exactly the same shots you had with the first visit being a ER visit because that's where my primary care doctor told me to go . Total bill was 14 k I had a gentleman from a different forum tell me his bill totaled a little over 1k. It is blatantly obvious they are ripping me off. The vaccines and immunoglobulin are both old technology, and they were administered by a run of the mill nurse in my shoulder, like any other shot. Funny how the COVID shot is free, considering it just came out and was done so under emergency circumstances. Don't hunt for logic, logic that makes sense to you. Call hospital billing to learn whether the debt has been sent to collections. Cut off the scammers. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 10:29:42 AM EDT
[#28]
All unleashed dogs should be shot on sight.
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Posted: 3/22/2023 10:56:31 AM EDT
[#29]
Not trying to scare you OP but I'll share my story:
This was 10+ years ago. My ex wife racked up a bunch of medical debt I didn't know anything about. Ex wife was in a similar situation as you as she paid a few bills to the hospital and thought it was the end of it. Nope, larger bills poured in. She still hid it from me. It was sold to a debt collection agency. They found out we had a house, took us to court and won the judgement against us which ultimately was a lien on our house. We divorced and when the house was sold the debt collection company got their money. Sucked for me as when they won the judgement the lien on the house hurt my credit for a few years and obviously I had to basically split that debt with my ex wife when the house was sold. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:05:35 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not trying to scare you OP but I'll share my story: This was 10+ years ago. My ex wife racked up a bunch of medical debt I didn't know anything about. Ex wife was in a similar situation as you as she paid a few bills to the hospital and though it was the end of it. Nope, larger bills poured in. She still hid it from me. It was sold to a debt collection agency. They found out we had a house, took us to court and won the judgement against us which ultimately was a lien on our house. We divorced and when the house was sold the debt collection company got their money. Sucked for me as when they won the judgement the lien on the house hurt my credit for a few years and obviously I had to basically split that debt with my ex wife when the house was sold. This can happen but it’s on a state by state basis, OP needs to check his state laws. It had to be ALOT of money for them to go that far. We rarely sue anyone where I work, it’s usually for 100k plus. Then again my experience is the consumer collection side not medical. I did successfully sue a collector for a small 2.5k medical bill. Got it forever off my wife’s credit and a settlement of 750 bucks. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:07:15 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Wow, it's way cheaper to shoot the dog.  Doesn't know the dog or owner. I'd come in with the dog's head for testing. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:10:10 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What is shown in the detailed charges from the hospital? Is most of that cost allocated to the emergency room? I wonder whether the collection agencies get those details. Not that they'll care, it's just business. Since rabies in humans is rare, I bet there were 20 or more "doctors" who walked in looked at the chart for 10 seconds, left and billed $500 each for an examination/visit. The medical field billing/charges are a total scam. I have nearly always had insurance, even is the coverage isn't great you normally only owe the hospital what the insurance company allows. Example, I had Blue Cross on the cheapest plan. No office visits, labs were covered but I only paid what Blue Cross paid for the visit. It was normal to have a bill come in for my annual bloodwork from Labcorp for $300=+. Blue Cross would send me their allowed payments for services and I owed somewhere in the $50 range. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:13:13 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Since rabies in humans is rare, I bet there were 20 or more "doctors" who walked in looked at the chart for 10 seconds, left and billed $500 each for an examination/visit. The medical field billing/charges are a total scam. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What is shown in the detailed charges from the hospital? Is most of that cost allocated to the emergency room? I wonder whether the collection agencies get those details. Not that they'll care, it's just business. Since rabies in humans is rare, I bet there were 20 or more "doctors" who walked in looked at the chart for 10 seconds, left and billed $500 each for an examination/visit. The medical field billing/charges are a total scam. This is correct. This is also why OP and everyone for that matter MUST validate the debt. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:42:42 AM EDT
[#34]
"For my well being I elect to get rabies vaccines"
Im confused. Did the physician insist on rabies treatment or was it an option that you chose? |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 11:58:31 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: "For my well being I elect to get rabies vaccines" Im confused. Did the physician insist on rabies treatment or was it an option that you chose? Your physician can insist on anything but it's up to you to accept or refuse the treatment. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:05:48 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The consequences if the dog was rabid = death Mine wasn't a dog bite Raccoon that was sick tangled with my dog and I tangled with the raccoon .
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:08:21 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Your physician can insist on anything but it's up to you to accept or refuse the treatment. Was the doctor like "You really need to get the rabies shot we're gonna go ahead and get that set up right now" versus the OP going. "I'm really nervous about rabies and I want a rabies shot." |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:13:49 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Oh I know. But exactly how it went down is important. Was the doctor like "You really need to get the rabies shot we're gonna go ahead and get that set up right now" versus the OP going. "I'm really nervous about rabies and I want a rabies shot." I am sure that you can certainly decide for yourself to roll the dice and opt out, but that it's going to be the recommended path of care because by the time a human starts presenting symptoms, it's too late. So in the event of unknown, the only safe path is to error on the side of caution. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:18:05 PM EDT
[#39]
It sounds like one shy bought the other shy's note.
How much vig are they squeezing you for? You know, how many points a week? 
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:24:13 PM EDT
[#40]
I ended up at the ER in the middle of the night with the first kidney stone I ever had. They gave me pain medicine, did urine and blood work, performed a CT scan and sent me home with prescriptions for Flomax, Zofran and Toradol. They subsequently sent me a bill for $7k.
Back in January I had a kidney stone. I got pain medicine, urine and blood work, a CT scan and sent home with prescriptions for Flomax, Zofran and Toradol. But instead of going to the ER, I toughed it out until the urgent care opened the next morning. Since my deductible had just reset I had to approve the charges and pay the bill while there. The $475 bill. Going through the ER was 15x the cost for the exact same procedures and treatment. The hospital likely doesn't give one fuck that you found other places that give the rabies treatment for a fraction of the cost they billed. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:25:09 PM EDT
[#41]
The surgeon general has nothing to do with this. You need your states attorney general's office.
And check with your homeowners insurance. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:28:33 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: "For my well being I elect to get rabies vaccines" Im confused. Did the physician insist on rabies treatment or was it an option that you chose? I think the real problem is the lack of transparency in medical billing. I would have never suspected it would cost $40,000 for a rabies series. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 12:42:33 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I think the real problem is the lack of transparency in medical billing. I would have never suspected it would cost $40,000 for a rabies series. This is the problem, NOT OP seeking reasonable treatment |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:10:52 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I ended up at the ER in the middle of the night with the first kidney stone I ever had. They gave me pain medicine, did urine and blood work, performed a CT scan and sent me home with prescriptions for Flomax, Zofran and Toradol. They subsequently sent me a bill for $7k. Back in January I had a kidney stone. I got pain medicine, urine and blood work, a CT scan and sent home with prescriptions for Flomax, Zofran and Toradol. But instead of going to the ER, I toughed it out until the urgent care opened the next morning. Since my deductible had just reset I had to approve the charges and pay the bill while there. The $475 bill. Going through the ER was 15x the cost for the exact same procedures and treatment. The hospital likely doesn't give one fuck that you found other places that give the rabies treatment for a fraction of the cost they billed. The bills are rolling in she said her insurance is refusing to pay anything from the second hospital because their words (She was in two hospitals at once and they aren't double paying). She has explained to them several times that it's impossible for her to be in two hospitals at the same time....that she was transferred to the second hospital, by the first hospital. That she didn't ask for this to happen, the hospital decided it needed to. They haven't payed out and it's still an ongoing thing she is trying to fight. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:34:22 PM EDT
[#45]
**SNIP**
-For my well being I elect to get rabies vaccines (The key part here is your decision) -Only place I am aware of who administers rabies treatment is hosptail OK, awareness is one thing but you should call your PCP (Primary Care Physician), or call the Phone # on the back of your insurance card to talk to a "nurse advisor". If you don't have a PCP, or insurance (as denoted below), unless you are dying you don't go to the emergency room, emergency room is for pending death. You schedule a visit. If things are bad, but you aren't dying, go to urgent care. -Go to ER day after bite occurred This is not an emergency. At worst this is urgent (i.e. urgent care). But you should have scheduled a visit with your hospital, not walk in the ER. -I did not have health insurance Normally no big deal, but this has consequences I'll outline below in detail. -Doctor administers rabies immunoglobulin around bite area -Nurse administers rabies shot and tetanus shot -Process takes about 45 minutes (Wait in ER room was probably 3 hours) -Over course of next few weeks I am given 3 additional shots by nurses via outpatient center in different part of hospital (takes about 20 minutes per visit) I'm not a doctor, so I can't comment on the care provided, only the revenue cycle/billing issues you are experiencing. -Month or so after all of this, bill arives in the amount of 1000 and some change, they reduce it to 900 and change since I paid in full via credit card This is likely the Hospital charge for the use of the ER. This probably didn't include any of the actual care you received. -Several months later out of the blue I am floored when a second bill arrives, totaling $34,000 This is probably the care given, and I'm guessing the lion's share of the bill is the cost of the vaccine. THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE INSURANCE. Not directly for paying the bill, but because insurance companies negotiate this shit. I guarantee you that BCBS, UHG, Aetna, Cigna do not pay this. I know for a FACT that Medicare/Medicaid doesn't pay this. - I immediately contact billing department, talk to employee, they tell me all they can do is offer me monthly payments of $1200 per month Not a bad idea but the proposed solution is unimaginative. -I ask about settling for a lump sum, she gives me fax number, I fax over an offer I like this play, good on you. -Hospital never replies regarding offer Need to badger them -I contact billing department, ask them for itemized bill, and later ask them to audit bills to confirm amounts Post the items if you want some review done, I'd be glad to -I inform billing department that average cost for this treatment is $3000-$7000 , why TF are they charging me so much I'm pretty sure this is "medicare reimbursement rate" and IS DEFINATELY what you should be paying. As to "why" they are charging so much, I made a post about 5-6y ago that is several pages long explaining the history as to why we got to this place. But the jist is that all payers negotiate, nobody pays the hospital rate, except those people without insurance. The main benefit of having insurance is you get those lawyers negotiating on your behalf. -Second bill eventually arrives, for additional $10,000 -Billing department says bill is correct, "thats how much they charge." Yea, they gave you the line level unadjusted charge from thier charge master. -I file complaint with Illinois Surgeon General Office -I create thread in GD asking for help -Overwhelming number of members here advise not paying them a cent, they cannot collect on anything, I am being ripped off, etc. -3 months go by and I hear nothing from hospital , or Surgeon General Office -Get random email from woman at hospital stating she wanted to discuss settling my accounts last week (3/23) -I call and talk to her, they would accept $25,0000 to settle my $43,000 in debt -I explain to lady average cost for this treatment is $3000-$7000, and ill " think about it." This is where you missed your last real opportunity to press your case. You should have asked to talk to a financial advisor. They work for the hospital and could work on those non-contractual adjustments to the account. -Today (3/21/2023) I receive a random unmarked letter, inside is a letter from a debt collection agency, claiming my balance is $49,000 , but I owe them $34,000 Well shit bro, it left the Hospital's hands. Now you have no negotiation capabilites with this agency. They generally have no capability to negotiate beyond the $34k they quoted you. But you can go back to the Hospital and request to speak to a financial advisor (some places call them financial councilers). Advocate for paying in full the "Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement Amount". They might be able to get a non-contractual adjustment approved for that. But you won't make any headway with the agency. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:39:22 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Debt collector bought your debt. It’s no longer your debt to pay. Your gtg. I learned that on Tik Tok. It's still his debt but it's already hit collections and made it's impact on ops credit. Credit score will improve a bit if it's paid but it barely matters at this point unless op needs a loan for something. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:40:56 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Debt collector bought your debt. It’s no longer your debt to pay. Your gtg. I learned that on Tik Tok. ^^No offense, but this is not related to the medical industry. This is a bastardization or missuse of the term "collector" or "collection agency" in healthcare and how the rest of the world uses those terms. Generally in healthcare you have several "collection agencies" that are just basically contract employees working for the hospital that only do one thing: collect money. This isn't like a credit card that gets written off and goes to a traditional debt collector that purchased your debt. You almost always get 4 levels of "collections" on a healthcare bill: 1. "Collections" from the hospital - actual hospital employees that are just trying to get money in the door, they call themselves "collections", "collectors", whatever when they are just an employee for the hospital. 2. "Collections" from a vendor - sometimes they call themselves "early out", "self pay", or other specific collectors who are vendors who just supply non-hospital employees that specialize in getting money in the door from people who pay without insurance. 3. "Bad Debt" from a vendor (or hospital) - Somewhere in the 120-210d mark after the first bill, with no payment, your account will go into a status called "Bad Debt" where they have more forceful vendors who collect money. This is still a bill on the hospital books though and isn't written off. 4. "Debt Collector" - this is almost always 1y+ after the final bill date, after all other methods have failed, they write the $$ off their books and now it's someone who has bought the debt for pennies on the dollar. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:48:45 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My mom (no insurance either) broke her hip and spent three nights in the hospital. Since she was indigent they came after my brother and I for the $130,000 bill. They negotiated down to 19k which we paid out of our pockets. What a sorry state of affairs. There is the rub. I have Medicare and a $20,000 emergency room bill was paid about $1,000 by Medicate and my trivial co-pay. The same percentage for your case might be $2200 or so. Not sure about the shots though. |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:55:25 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Contact a TV station for a segment on the news This is good advice |
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Posted: 3/22/2023 1:56:09 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ^^No offense, but this is not related to the medical industry. This is a bastardization or missuse of the term "collector" or "collection agency" in healthcare and how the rest of the world uses those terms. Generally in healthcare you have several "collection agencies" that are just basically contract employees working for the hospital that only do one thing: collect money. This isn't like a credit card that gets written off and goes to a traditional debt collector that purchased your debt. I asked for their company name and it was also provided on the letter which I requested which verified the debt. I googled the company. It was a debt collection agency which simply purchased delinquent debt and tried to collect a profit on it. There were all manner of reviews (complaints of course) from people talking about said company which they were in collections with, about owed money on vehicle loans, credit cards, health care, home repair/improvement loans, etc. |
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