collection timing

KS
My wife and I visited a medical center in TX while visiting from KS. The treatment was for me and most of bill paid by wife’s insurance. She received a bill for the balance (228.47) within 30 days. I commented to her at the time of the treatment that these people were not organized and careless in their treatment.
When we received the bill showing all the charges I wanted to contact the insurance carrier and recommend they investigate some of the charges. I didn’t do it.
However when they sent a balance due bill I did question their charges in writing. They have been sending the info over the last several months just from my original request.
Problem, I am receiving letters and calls from a collection service and I checked my credit report and found this is listed all while the hospital and I are working out some of their charges. Timeliness is important but apparently my simple request for what test was performed and results and who interpreted the results is not a usual request and the hospital is still working on this request.
Is it proper for the collection activity to start before the charges are resolved for an accurate claim?
Thanks Jim from Kansas

[Ladynred]

Medical facilities don't waste ANY time sending unpaid accounts to collections. The bill isn't paid, even though you're disputing it, so it got sent to collections automatically. I'd call the hospital and ask them if they will take it back from the CA until your dispute over the balance is resolved.

Thanks for your reply.
That was my first reaction. They had a change in personnel and would not pull the collection activity, while admitting the amount maybe inaccurate.
Is there a legal responsibility on the hospital to properly conclude a transaction before using collection companies or can they legally use collection activities as a substitute for normal billing?
Thanks

[Ladynred]

The question is, what is 'normal billing' and how long did they give you to pay the outstanding bill after insurance paid their part ? They're not very forgiving in medical. I don' t think you'd have any case with that idea.

I'd send a dispute/validation letter to the CA saying that you're disputing the charges and the hospital is still investigating.

You could protect your credit score by paying the account up now, and continue to push for clarification of questionable items on the bill. However that removes the hospital's incentive to work with you in a timely manner. They are essentially holding your-(and anyone else's who challenges a hospital bill, or who's insurance provider delays or screws up)- credit rating to ransom. I do know you can dispute the items on your credit report, and attach an explanation for unfavorable items that you can't succeed in getting removed. I've heard that medical/insurance billing issues are a pretty common cause of consumers exercising the right to attach an explanation to their credit report.
Good luck!