Hospital sent me to collection without any prior notice....

[vbperez]

California


I want to place a complaint against a hospital for assigning my case to a collection agency without any prior notification.

My problem is that I was never notified by mail, phone, or in person that I had an unpaid balance with this hospital....or that certain services were not covered by either Medi-cal (2001) or by my insurance (2002).

On November 15, 2002 I received a letter from a collection agency stating that I owe this hospital over $500 (+ interest) ....

...The collection rep, informed me that I would probably have to pay cash since a long time has passed since these services were rendered....my insurance would probably not cover it now....bla ...bla..bla..

My complaint is that I was NOT ONCE billed or notified by this hospital for these services prior to my case being sent to collection.

If I were notified beforehand I could had settled these debts with my insurance company or medi-cal or paid them (assuming they are mine).

I am still not sure exactly what services they are charging me for since they would not give me this information over the phone.

I want to place a complaint against this hospital for their mischievous and unprofessional billing practices.

I should had never been sent to collection.

Please advise on the next step I should take.

I don't think I should have to pay for an account balance I had no idea existed until now.

This is ruining my credit.

-Veronica

Send the collection agency a certified letter disputing the amount and request written proof from the original creditor be supplied.

I believe under the Fair Debt to Collect that they must supply this information to you.

Don't ignore. Start with a dispute of the debt.