Hospital made mistake - I have to pay?

[smkat]

What is the name of your state? CO

Back in October I was given an order for labwork and told to have it done at the hospital next door. I went to the hospital and spoke with several people there who told me my insurance required all labwork to be processed through Labcorp. They said that what they do is draw the labs at the hospital and then send them to Labcorp to be completed, that way my insurance would pay. No problem, I had them draw the labs, even the person drawing the labs marked it down to be sent to Labcorp. And I left.

Last week I got a call from Centura telling me they were trying to collect on a bill for $150. I asked what it was for and was told it was for my labwork in October. I asked her to check if it was just for the draw or for processing. She said the bill was for processing, that the blood was never sent to Labcorp, so my insurance wouldn't pay.

I went in to the hospital and spoke with the registration department, lab, and business office. They all confirmed that when insurance requires Labcorp they do the draw and send it off so everything is covered. But the business office also tells me that since they didn't send it off (and admits it was their error) I am responsible to pay the $150.

Is that right? Can they hold me liable for a bill that was created by THEIR error? I've been receiving calls every few days about this.

[moburkes]

Have you spoke with someone in the billing department? Have you written a letter?

[smkat]

I spoke with someone in the business department, which I was told handles the billing. They confirmed that they are supposed to just draw and send to Labcorp, but that since they didn't, I have to pay.

I haven't written a letter. What should the letter cover?