I live in NC. In July I had to take my son to the ER for stitches in his head. When we were admitted, I gave our current address, phone number, and insurance information to the clerk. We're not VIP members of the ER or anything, so I didn't realize we would get billed seperate for the hospital and the doctor. We actually never received a bill from either, only a statement from our insurance company, and we only received the statement from the insurance company for the doctor so there were no red flags that we would get more than one bill.
I went to the hospital last week and asked them how much I owe. They told me I owe the co payment, which is $150, so I pay it right then. As far as I know, all is good. So Friday we get a message on our machine. I call the number back and it's a collection agency. I was still confused at this point so I told her I need to research this and get back to her. She told me that I have until December 18th before it goes on my credit. I go back to the hospital today and that's when I find out that the bill is not from the hospital. The cashier called the doctor's billing office and had me talk to her. I told her that I had never received a bill. Of course she got nasty and started telling me about the bills they had sent. Long story short, the hospital had given them the wrong address. The hospital gets defensive and swears that they gave them the correct address, that the billing office is lying, etc.
Regardless, I didn't get the bill. So I paid her the total amount, which was $454, with a credit card over the phone. I ask her if she'll send something stating that I have paid it in full on this date, and she says no, they won't send anything until it's processed. I asked her how long it takes to process, and she told me at least 2 weeks. At least 2 weeks is pushing my December 18th deadline. I have worked hard to get my credit score to 750, and I don't want it knocked down by something as silly as this. I've called my insurance company, but there's nothing they can do.
My questison is, how do I prove that I paid the bill today? What do I need to do in case my credit gets hit with this mistake?
I went to the hospital last week and asked them how much I owe. They told me I owe the co payment, which is $150, so I pay it right then. As far as I know, all is good. So Friday we get a message on our machine. I call the number back and it's a collection agency. I was still confused at this point so I told her I need to research this and get back to her. She told me that I have until December 18th before it goes on my credit. I go back to the hospital today and that's when I find out that the bill is not from the hospital. The cashier called the doctor's billing office and had me talk to her. I told her that I had never received a bill. Of course she got nasty and started telling me about the bills they had sent. Long story short, the hospital had given them the wrong address. The hospital gets defensive and swears that they gave them the correct address, that the billing office is lying, etc.
Regardless, I didn't get the bill. So I paid her the total amount, which was $454, with a credit card over the phone. I ask her if she'll send something stating that I have paid it in full on this date, and she says no, they won't send anything until it's processed. I asked her how long it takes to process, and she told me at least 2 weeks. At least 2 weeks is pushing my December 18th deadline. I have worked hard to get my credit score to 750, and I don't want it knocked down by something as silly as this. I've called my insurance company, but there's nothing they can do.
My questison is, how do I prove that I paid the bill today? What do I need to do in case my credit gets hit with this mistake?