Being billed by merchant after credit card dispute

[jjoshua]

What is the name of your state? NJ

My medical insurance mail order pharmacy doesn't tell you how much they are going to bill you for a prescription when you place an order through their web site. My corner drug store can do it but the insurance company's own web site can't - go figure.

When I received a prescription and a bill for twice the amount as the last time ($110), I called the insurance company to dispute the charge. They claimed that it was my responsibility to figure out how much the drugs should cost and that the charge was correct. This was a refill prescription and I was never told that the price had changed.

I filed a $55 dispute with my CC giving the reason that I was never told what I would be charged prior to being charged. They responded to the CC dispute.

Apparently the dispute was successful but now I received a $55 bill from the insurance company.

Am I liable for the $55 balance or should I tell them that I paid in full and that they should discuss the issue with their CC processor?

[moburkes]

Did you use the medication? Did you pick up the phone to see what the cost would be BEFORE filling the script? Of course you are liable. I wouldn't want to owe my insurance company money.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by jjoshua

Am I liable for the $55 balance

Yes, you are liable for the fee. And the fact that the credit company did a charge-back has nothing to do with determining your obligation. The 'problem' you gave (YOUR ignorance of the price) is NOT covered by the FCBA (Fair Credit Billing Act) and they either did the charge-back as a courtesy or it is temporary (until the merchant reprocesses and as invalid dispute).

Lesson learned... don't order something when you don't KNOW the price.

[jjoshua]

Originally Posted by moburkes

Did you use the medication? Did you pick up the phone to see what the cost would be BEFORE filling the script? Of course you are liable. I wouldn't want to owe my insurance company money.

This was a refill. If they are going to change the price, they should have told me. I'm locked into filling the prescription with them or else I have to get a new prescription.

Isn't this bait and switch?

[Ladynred]

Bait and switch is when they advertise 1 product and then try to sell you SOMETHING ELSE. You were buying the same thing you did before. Most of the drug companies have raised their prices dramatically on many medications. It seems ludicrous that they can't tell you ahead of time what the cost is going to be. Sounds like you're going to have to call them to find out before you order using their site. That or you're going to have to do your orders by phone.

[jjoshua]

Isn't the merchant bound by the terms of their agreement with their credit card processor?

Otherwise, what is the point of disputing a payment if the merchant is just going to come after you directly for payment?

[moburkes]

So, what are you saying that the merchant agreed to in their credit card agreement, that they are now violating?

[jjoshua]

Originally Posted by moburkes

So, what are you saying that the merchant agreed to in their credit card agreement, that they are now violating?

That they are bound by the outcome of the dispute resolution.

[moburkes]

You've seen that agreement?

[jjoshua]

Originally Posted by moburkes

You've seen that agreement?

No. Being bound by the dispute resolution makes sense.

Can someone who is familiar with these agreements shed some light here?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by jjoshua

Can someone who is familiar with these agreements shed some light here?

I already have. You just didn't like the 'light'.

[ecmst12]

I can't believe your pharmacy site doesn't have a checkout page that tells you the total amount you are being charged.

[jjoshua]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

I can't believe your pharmacy site doesn't have a checkout page that tells you the total amount you are being charged.

That's correct. They confirmed it in writing as part of the dispute.