Not sure I understand your point. Is your point that any bogus bill one gets should be paid without question to avoid being sent to collections? Just shut up and pay the unreasonable bill? Sorry, I don’t agree with that. Especially bogus bills from the medical profession that are finally being subject to strict regulations.
That includes people in the provider’s billing department.
I tend to agree with you on this one Bali. There are quite a few people though who are of the mindset that it is better to pay smaller bills than deal with the hassle, which is what a lot of creditors count on.
Ultimately, it's a business decision. If I spend more than about half an hour on the matter, then it's easier to pay it. Really.
Okay, GiorgioP. Explaining why you are disputing some of the charges might actually be helpful.
And that is absolutely a decision that you have every right to make, for you. It is a bit arrogant however, to assume that it is a decision that is right for everyone else, particularly those whose incomes might be more limited than yours.
Slow down there. The OP clearly stated that he had the means to pay the debt. No arrogance is involved.
You didn't get my point. Just because you believe that for you it's better to go ahead and pay if it takes you more than 1/2 hour to deal with it does not mean that everyone else should automatically have the same opinion. It is perfectly fine for you to feel that way for you. It is just not fine for you to assume that is best for everyone else.
I agree, OP won’t get anywhere trying to deal with the debt collector. IF they have insurance, contact the company and understand what claims are covered, copays, deductibles are in place. And have the insurance company explain all this. If no insurance contact a consumer protection agency and file a claim. Medical bills are complicated and if one understands the rational behind the bill, they will feel better about paying.Okay, GiorgioP. Explaining why you are disputing some of the charges might actually be helpful.
Like Zigner, I probably would have paid the small claimed debt (to prevent or to stop all collection activity) and then I would try to resolve the matter directly with the doctor’s office.
If your dispute is a legitimate one (e.g., double billing, charged for service not performed), you might have a better chance of convincing the doctor’s office to refund the amount than you could expect to have trying to get the debt collector to erase the debt.
I don’t see any reason for a consumer protection agency to be involved - at least, not based on the limited amount of information we have been given so far.
I got your general point. I simply took exception to the accusation that I was being "arrogant." I was not assuming that something was best for "everyone else," rather, I was making a specific statement relating to this matter (more precisely, the matter that Bali brought up).
Please do not post to dead threads. This thread is months old and the original poster has not been back since March.