drpsholder
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? GA
I own a chirpractic business. I had a patient enter my office, that was referred by an attorney. The patient signed a lien and wanted me paid directly, but no lien was signed by the attorney. Paperwork was sent to attorney about 3 months ago and my staff has been checking on the status every month. We were told that case was pending from attorneys office, but patient called me to inform me that the attorney was not going to pay me directly. The attorney said that he tried to reach me 3 or 4 times, but to no avail, so somehow this gives him the authority to pay the patient instead of me, when my lien with patients states differently.
I fully understand that my patient is responsible. Patient is telling me that they dont feel like they should have to pay either. If attorney was hired to help in settlement and reimbursement and does not help in reimbursement, then why should they. Yes, I can send them to collections, but to date, I have collected 0 from collection agencies. So, she got my money because I could not be reached?
My question is: Can the attorney take it into his own hands just because I cannot be reached? How ethical is this? Can I make a claim to the BAR. I have full time staff and caller ID. He did not call me. Also, he could have faxed or sent a letter. Also, my lien states that she wanted me paid directly. Attorney office is now saying that she signed something stating that she did not want me paid. Whose lien takes precedence? His or mine? Why is his lien enforceable, but mine is not? I asked them, the attorney, to fax me the signed letter, but I have received nothing. Sounds fishy!!!!!!
Also, how can I get protected next time. If I got attorney to sign lien, then they will just say that I could not be reached which would somehow nullify lien. If I got attorney to sign lien and patient to sign a lien, which states that they want me paid directly, what stops the attorney from telling patient that they dont have to abide by such lien. Or "just sign here and you dont have to pay that doctor."
This sounds very unethical to me. It may be legal, but only in a loophole kind of way.
Thanks,
Chiropractor in GA
I own a chirpractic business. I had a patient enter my office, that was referred by an attorney. The patient signed a lien and wanted me paid directly, but no lien was signed by the attorney. Paperwork was sent to attorney about 3 months ago and my staff has been checking on the status every month. We were told that case was pending from attorneys office, but patient called me to inform me that the attorney was not going to pay me directly. The attorney said that he tried to reach me 3 or 4 times, but to no avail, so somehow this gives him the authority to pay the patient instead of me, when my lien with patients states differently.
I fully understand that my patient is responsible. Patient is telling me that they dont feel like they should have to pay either. If attorney was hired to help in settlement and reimbursement and does not help in reimbursement, then why should they. Yes, I can send them to collections, but to date, I have collected 0 from collection agencies. So, she got my money because I could not be reached?
My question is: Can the attorney take it into his own hands just because I cannot be reached? How ethical is this? Can I make a claim to the BAR. I have full time staff and caller ID. He did not call me. Also, he could have faxed or sent a letter. Also, my lien states that she wanted me paid directly. Attorney office is now saying that she signed something stating that she did not want me paid. Whose lien takes precedence? His or mine? Why is his lien enforceable, but mine is not? I asked them, the attorney, to fax me the signed letter, but I have received nothing. Sounds fishy!!!!!!
Also, how can I get protected next time. If I got attorney to sign lien, then they will just say that I could not be reached which would somehow nullify lien. If I got attorney to sign lien and patient to sign a lien, which states that they want me paid directly, what stops the attorney from telling patient that they dont have to abide by such lien. Or "just sign here and you dont have to pay that doctor."
This sounds very unethical to me. It may be legal, but only in a loophole kind of way.
Thanks,
Chiropractor in GA