What is the name of your state? WASHINGTON STATE
I checked my Trans-Union report and found a debt from a collection agency/hand surgeon. I did not know what this was for so I sent in a dispute that it should not be there. Two weeks later I got a letter from the collection agency stating I have two accts with them, one for $40 and one for $996.00 with interest accrued of $21.30 and $470.55, respectively.
I have had the same mailing address for at least three and maybe up to five years, yet I had no contact from this place until now that I recall. The emergency/alternative number I have used for 15 years (brother) has not changed, nor has his address but nothing was sent there nor did they call to get another address if needed. I contacted the collection agency and was told they has a DSHS coupon but that DSHS had not paid and I was responsible for the bill. I explained that (as far as I know) when on DSHS, the patient is not responsible for bills if the provider accepts DSHS, whether or not they pay. She did not know if there was an actual denial, just that there had been no payment and that if they don't pay, I am responsible. I explained all I knew and asked for a copy of any files she had so I could research this since I had no records anymore, believing this was paid. I also asked her to make a note that this needed to be resolved and to hold off on further actions. Whether she agreed or not was not clear.
I called both providers and the $40 one said the date of service was 5.2000, they had no coupon, and it was for a hand brace. I said I am sure I would have paid a $40 bill had I known. She could offer no information. I explained to her I would try to get a coupon and see what I could do, and called the other provider. They have not contacted me although I contacted them a week ago, leaving a message with the billing office. I wrote a letter to the collection agency today to explain the situation in writing, to ask why they did not contact me and to please stop collection efforts of any kind including further adverse reporting and to stop interest accrual until this is sorted out.
My questions so far are as follows:
Am I responsible for a bill not billed for four years? If so, what about the interest since they did not contact me?
My credit report has been affected because, again, I was not billed. I think this should be taken off completely and the account brought to current status if I am responsible so I can pay it off as I would have had I known.
When on DSHS/welfare (I was in school at the time, folks) I understand the patient is not responsible for bills if the provider agrees to treat and or/accept DSHS whether DSHS pays or not, but of course, they must be billed. DSHS was no help since I could not get anyone who spoke english well enough to understand I need billing info from four years ago.
Anything else I can do for now?
I checked my Trans-Union report and found a debt from a collection agency/hand surgeon. I did not know what this was for so I sent in a dispute that it should not be there. Two weeks later I got a letter from the collection agency stating I have two accts with them, one for $40 and one for $996.00 with interest accrued of $21.30 and $470.55, respectively.
I have had the same mailing address for at least three and maybe up to five years, yet I had no contact from this place until now that I recall. The emergency/alternative number I have used for 15 years (brother) has not changed, nor has his address but nothing was sent there nor did they call to get another address if needed. I contacted the collection agency and was told they has a DSHS coupon but that DSHS had not paid and I was responsible for the bill. I explained that (as far as I know) when on DSHS, the patient is not responsible for bills if the provider accepts DSHS, whether or not they pay. She did not know if there was an actual denial, just that there had been no payment and that if they don't pay, I am responsible. I explained all I knew and asked for a copy of any files she had so I could research this since I had no records anymore, believing this was paid. I also asked her to make a note that this needed to be resolved and to hold off on further actions. Whether she agreed or not was not clear.
I called both providers and the $40 one said the date of service was 5.2000, they had no coupon, and it was for a hand brace. I said I am sure I would have paid a $40 bill had I known. She could offer no information. I explained to her I would try to get a coupon and see what I could do, and called the other provider. They have not contacted me although I contacted them a week ago, leaving a message with the billing office. I wrote a letter to the collection agency today to explain the situation in writing, to ask why they did not contact me and to please stop collection efforts of any kind including further adverse reporting and to stop interest accrual until this is sorted out.
My questions so far are as follows:
Am I responsible for a bill not billed for four years? If so, what about the interest since they did not contact me?
My credit report has been affected because, again, I was not billed. I think this should be taken off completely and the account brought to current status if I am responsible so I can pay it off as I would have had I known.
When on DSHS/welfare (I was in school at the time, folks) I understand the patient is not responsible for bills if the provider agrees to treat and or/accept DSHS whether DSHS pays or not, but of course, they must be billed. DSHS was no help since I could not get anyone who spoke english well enough to understand I need billing info from four years ago.
Anything else I can do for now?