What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Rhode Island
My story starts here: I went to an Urgent Care to get my hand checked out because it felt as though I had broke a finger. Turns out I had a boxers fracture on my pinky finger and the was a clean break. I paid my deductible at the Urgent Care, however at the time they did not have an X-Ray tech working to get an x-ray of my hand. At that point a velcro brace of some sort was put on my hand, even though I expressed the pain that was caused by it, and I was told to go to the neighboring hospital to get an actual x-ray. I was told to make sure I wore it until I got there and to keep it on unless they told me otherwise. The x-rays were taken and a few days later I received a call back from the Urgent Care confirming that my hand was broken. At that point they told me I had to go see a specialist and have him take a look at it. So again I paid another deductible and went to see another doctor. He looked at the x-rays, touched my hand, and said I just have to be careful with it for the next few weeks and it would heal on its own. When I asked him about the brace that the Urgent Care gave me he said I could wear it but it wouldn't do anything in my situation except cause more discomfort and pain. Fast forward 3 months and out of the blue I receive a bill from the Urgent Care for $138.00. I called to find out what it was about and they said it was for the brace. Now, when I had the thing put on my hand I told them I didn't want it because it hurt and there was no point to have it if it wasn't helping. They told me I needed to have it until my situation was figured out. This to me seems extremely unfair, not only because I wasn't told ahead of time that I would be charged for it, but also because I firmly told them I didn't want it yet was still forced to take it. How is this legal? I understand that the denomination is small enough to the point where hiring a lawyer would end up costing me more in the long run, but what options do I have. I told the Urgent Care that the situation was very out of line and that I didn't want to pay the bill and they could have their equipment back, but they said I had to and if I didn't I would be sent to collections. Any advice on the situation or legality would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
My story starts here: I went to an Urgent Care to get my hand checked out because it felt as though I had broke a finger. Turns out I had a boxers fracture on my pinky finger and the was a clean break. I paid my deductible at the Urgent Care, however at the time they did not have an X-Ray tech working to get an x-ray of my hand. At that point a velcro brace of some sort was put on my hand, even though I expressed the pain that was caused by it, and I was told to go to the neighboring hospital to get an actual x-ray. I was told to make sure I wore it until I got there and to keep it on unless they told me otherwise. The x-rays were taken and a few days later I received a call back from the Urgent Care confirming that my hand was broken. At that point they told me I had to go see a specialist and have him take a look at it. So again I paid another deductible and went to see another doctor. He looked at the x-rays, touched my hand, and said I just have to be careful with it for the next few weeks and it would heal on its own. When I asked him about the brace that the Urgent Care gave me he said I could wear it but it wouldn't do anything in my situation except cause more discomfort and pain. Fast forward 3 months and out of the blue I receive a bill from the Urgent Care for $138.00. I called to find out what it was about and they said it was for the brace. Now, when I had the thing put on my hand I told them I didn't want it because it hurt and there was no point to have it if it wasn't helping. They told me I needed to have it until my situation was figured out. This to me seems extremely unfair, not only because I wasn't told ahead of time that I would be charged for it, but also because I firmly told them I didn't want it yet was still forced to take it. How is this legal? I understand that the denomination is small enough to the point where hiring a lawyer would end up costing me more in the long run, but what options do I have. I told the Urgent Care that the situation was very out of line and that I didn't want to pay the bill and they could have their equipment back, but they said I had to and if I didn't I would be sent to collections. Any advice on the situation or legality would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
