Medical Lien - Please Help - Urgent

[AdviceFreeUser]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I received a letter from my Chiropractor office. It looks like my insurance only allows certain visits per year to visit a Chiropractor but I exceeded that by a few more visit as needed.

The problem : Insurance did not cover a portion of the bill which is $346.06.

It shows The State of Texas Couty of Harris, Case #: XXXX

Am I going to get sued if I don't pay?

It says that it may result in additional legal or court cost to you and may impair your credit rating. Is this the same as unsecured credit card debt?

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I received a letter from my Chiropractor office. It looks like my insurance only allows certain visits per year to visit a Chiropractor but I exceeded that by a few more visit as needed.

The problem : Insurance did not cover a portion of the bill which is $346.06.

It shows The State of Texas Couty of Harris, Case #: XXXX

Am I going to get sued if I don't pay?

It says that it may result in additional legal or court cost to you and may impair your credit rating. Is this the same as unsecured credit card debt?

It's your responsibility to know the limitations of your insurance coverage, NOT your doctor's. That means the additional billing is 100% your responsibility to pay.

If you fail to pay the balance due, you certain run the risk of being sued for the outstanding bills. Will they sue? There's no way to know for sure.

If they do sue and win a judgment against you, you've been put on notice that you'll likely end up paying the legal and court costs of that happening. Having an unpaid bill on your record is usually what affects your credit rating. A judgment against you will do that as well.

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

It's your responsibility to know the limitations of your insurance coverage, NOT your doctor's. That means the additional billing is 100% your responsibility to pay.

If you fail to pay the balance due, you certain run the risk of being sued for the outstanding bills. Will they sue? There's no way to know for sure.

If they do sue and win a judgment against you, you've been put on notice that you'll likely end up paying the legal and court costs of that happening. Having an unpaid bill on your record is usually what affects your credit rating. A judgment against you will do that as well.

Is this the same exact thing as owning money on a unsecured debt credit card?
The SOL would be 4 years?
How high can the cost go up in total?

What are the chances I will be sued? Why is there a case # with The State of Texas County of Harris?

There is no collection agency here?

 

[Proserpina]

There's a better-than-good chance that you'll be sued.

Why not just pay the bill?



You owe the money.

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

There's a better-than-good chance that you'll be sued.

Why not just pay the bill?



You owe the money.

Is it too late to pay? I wonder if they would work with me now to do some kind of monthly payments?

There is this thing called a Medical Necessity form if more visits were needed to the doctor. My insurance company says that it is too late for that. Anyone familiar with this?

They would sue for $346.06?

 

[sandyclaus]

Is this the same exact thing as owning money on a unsecured debt credit card?
The SOL would be 4 years?
How high can the cost go up in total?

What are the chances I will be sued? Why is there a case # with The State of Texas County of Harris?

There is no collection agency here?

If there's already a case # with the courts, then you already screwed as you are already being sued.

IF the SOL were to apply here, then they would have the 4 years (or whatever the SOL is for unsecured debts) to pursue legal action. It appears that horse has already left the gates.

 

[Proserpina]

OP, in some areas they'll sue for $100. You'll end up paying their costs, too.

How long have they been trying to collect?

 

[Proserpina]

(@sandy - I've been trying to "quote" and "like" for days now; I need to update my thingies apparently. Because I'm agreeing with you as always!)

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

OP, in some areas they'll sue for $100. You'll end up paying their costs, too.

How long have they been trying to collect?

About 3 months.

So getting sued on medical bills is more common than having an unsecured debt on a credit card?

 

[sandyclaus]

(@sandy - I've been trying to "quote" and "like" for days now; I need to update my thingies apparently. Because I'm agreeing with you as always!)

Quoting and Liking, as well as replying and reporting spam posts are a PITA with this bug floating around. FlyingRon suggests that we remove Javascripting in the browser, and it works with MOST not all of the issues (can't properly multi-post reply, for instance).

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

If there's already a case # with the courts, then you already screwed as you are already being sued.

IF the SOL were to apply here, then they would have the 4 years (or whatever the SOL is for unsecured debts) to pursue legal action. It appears that horse has already left the gates.

Second page at the end says my commission expire 8/31/15. Notary public state of Texas.

It says "Your account is now seriously delinquent. We have sent you more than one request and still have not received your pass due payment in the amount of $346.06.

According, we have filed a Medical Lien with The State of Texas County of Harris, Case # XXXXXXX. We shall proceed with further action unless payment is obtained immediately. Enforced collection on this obligation may result in additional legal or court cost to you and may impair you credit rating.

 

[sandyclaus]

Second page at the end says my commission expire 8/31/15. Notary public state of Texas.

It says "Your account is now seriously delinquent. We have sent you more than one request and still have not received your pass due payment in the amount of $346.06.

According, we have filed a Medical Lien with The State of Texas County of Harris, Case # XXXXXXX. We shall proceed with further action unless payment is obtained immediately. Enforced collection on this obligation may result in additional legal or court cost to you and may impair you credit rating.

Were these chiropractic visits the result of medical treatment from an accident or other injury for which an insurance company is handling the case?

That medical lien they refer to simply means that these costs will be collected from any cause of action, a judgment, and the proceeds of a settlement arising from such a case.

If these were charges not having anything to do with an accident or injury for which an insurance company is handling the case, then the wording is probably on there and applies to those patients who are receiving treatments for that purpose.

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

Were these chiropractic visits the result of medical treatment from an accident or other injury for which an insurance company is handling the case?

That medical lien they refer to simply means that these costs will be collected from any cause of action, a judgment, and the proceeds of a settlement arising from such a case.

If these were charges not having anything to do with an accident or injury for which an insurance company is handling the case, then the wording is probably on there and applies to those patients who are receiving treatments for that purpose.

Other injury. I was allowed 12 times per year and I went there I think 16 times. My medical insurance company covered the 12 visits though.

If I call the office tomorrow and try to do work out a payment plan than I wonder if they will work with me?
Would they take a lumpsum tomorrow and close this case?

 

[AdviceFreeUser]

They are giving me 10% off to pay in lump sum.

$311.46 in Money Order.

 

[mmmagique]

I advise you to do it right now! If they take you to court, (and if you don't have a VALID, LEGAL defense) you will pay the full amount plus attorney fees and court costs. Not to mention you'll then have a judgment showing on your credit reports for...I *believe* it is ten years for judgments...although I could be wrong on the time.

ETA: as far as "liking" and "quoting", I found out yesterday that I can't do those things with my Chrome browser, but it works fine with Opera.