Medical Bill from when I was a minor in 2005

[Deshi88]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Ok, I had been sent to a residential treatment program in 2005 at the age of 17. I was and still am covered by Blue Cross HMO plan. I was under the care of a medical coordinator at the school who took care of appointments. I was sent on june 30th 2005 to get lab work done at her request. I graduate in 2006 and come back home. 2007 comes and I get a phone call from a collections agency demanding over 1k in bills for the petauluma hospital labs. I told them I was a minor at the time and they asked for my parents info, I said no and the conversation ended. I never recived a letter from the agency asking to pay, or telling me they would put it on my report. Fast forward to 2008 and I apply for a small loan, I get denied because this is on my credit report. I do some digging and try to get my insurance to pay, they said its too old for starters and it was out of network. I can file a grievance but I spoke to my uncle and he advised me to contact my fathers benifits division before doing so. My father is an employee of the city of Los Angeles. I had also filed a report with experian about the debt on my report, they found the debt valid and it seems the collections have stacked new interest onto the bill.

SO my questions are

1.How can I get my insurance to pay this? Its been 3 years, it was out of network. But I was NEVER informed they needed authirization and neither were my parents. It would have been covered if we had been notified and made the effort to get the authirization. Is the medical coordinator at fault for being negligent about health care and scheduling things without proper research of coverage?

2. Is what the collections did illegal? The collections agency used my credit report for something when I was a minor at the time. How do I get this taken of and completely erased? I was also never informed by the agency that it was put on my report. I called them once I had heard about it but have been told not to speak to them over the phone, they keep calling now. I just don't want them to stick it on my dads file next.

3. Can the members benifit of the city of Los Angeles actually fix this? I've been trying to speak to someone there but they are quite backed up and I plan on going into the office in a few days. But if anyone knows anytihng now I would be grateful.

[lealea1005]

Originally Posted by Deshi88

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California


1.How can I get my insurance to pay this? Its been 3 years, it was out of network. But I was NEVER informed they needed authirization and neither were my parents. It would have been covered if we had been notified and made the effort to get the authirization. Is the medical coordinator at fault for being negligent about health care and scheduling things without proper research of coverage?

*It was you/your parent's responsibility to ask whether the insurance company would have paid with prior authorization. If the provider/facility was out of network, they would have no idea. Out of network providers, for the most part, do not deal with and are not obligated to accept payment from the insurance company.

2. Is what the collections did illegal? The collections agency used my credit report for something when I was a minor at the time. How do I get this taken of and completely erased? I was also never informed by the agency that it was put on my report. I called them once I had heard about it but have been told not to speak to them over the phone, they keep calling now. I just don't want them to stick it on my dads file next.

*You refused to give them your parent's information when they called the first time. It is ultimately YOUR responsibility to pay the bill. The credit agency DID inform you they would put it in your credit report if the bill wasn't paid.

3. Can the members benifit of the city of Los Angeles actually fix this? I've been trying to speak to someone there but they are quite backed up and I plan on going into the office in a few days. But if anyone knows anytihng now I would be grateful.

There's nothing to be "fixed". The provider was out of network, your parents did not obtain prior authorization before admission, and it's too late to file a claim with your insurance company. You received services and the provider/facility deserves to be paid.
Maybe you can talk to your Dad about the situation and ask that he help you out.

[ecmst12]

You received the service, you owe the money. You can ask your parents to pay, or split it with you, but ultimately, you are an adult NOW and you owe the money.