OT - What would you do?

[mneilmont]

For a back operation, I had to stay in hospital overnight. I had been advised to take my pill bottles with me. Followed instructions and took pills in pharmacy bottles. Hospital nurse gave me hospital pills after I told her I had my own pills in my overnight bag. That was repeated the next morning. Insurance refused to pay for hospital pills because they had paid when I had scripts filled at pharmacy.

So, hospital sends me a bill for $290. I objected because I had my own pills with me. I offered to replace their pills from my supply. No deal they want $290. They charged me $20 or $30 per pill. I get a 30 day supply for $9 at CVS. So I offered to pay hospital at my normal rate. They still want $290. I said I would not pay it. Next thing I know collection agency is calling.

I have been refused credit from all the normal finance groups on an auto loan. My credit rating was 800+ before and had dropped about 50 points last week. I have no bills other than monthly utilities and one credit card that is paid in total two weeks prior to due date..

Question. Would you eat **** and pay a bill that I do not feel I owe, or go with least resistance and pay the bill? I have never been extorted before, and at 77 years old, I am reluctant to start now. Credit rating be damned. Just a little stubborn? Principles involved. Help, any comment appreciated.

 

[rog1187]

For a back operation, I had to stay in hospital overnight. I had been advised to take my pill bottles with me. Followed instructions and took pills in pharmacy bottles. Hospital nurse gave me hospital pills after I told her I had my own pills in my overnight bag. That was repeated the next morning. Insurance refused to pay for hospital pills because they had paid when I had scripts filled at pharmacy.

So, hospital sends me a bill for $290. I objected because I had my own pills with me. I offered to replace their pills from my supply. No deal they want $290. They charged me $20 or $30 per pill. I get a 30 day supply for $9 at CVS. So I offered to pay hospital at my normal rate. They still want $290. I said I would not pay it. Next thing I know collection agency is calling.

I have been refused credit from all the normal finance groups on an auto loan. My credit rating was 800+ before and had dropped about 50 points last week. I have no bills other than monthly utilities and one credit card that is paid in total two weeks prior to due date..

Question. Would you eat **** and pay a bill that I do not feel I owe, or go with least resistance and pay the bill? I have never been extorted before, and at 77 years old, I am reluctant to start now. Credit rating be damned. Just a little stubborn? Principles involved. Help, any comment appreciated.

Call the financial services department from the hospital and tell them you want to work out a payment plan and remove the collection agency. The work with the patient advocate at the hospital to get the charges removed entirely. A little stall tactic - see if it works.

 

[Mntneer]

For a back operation, I had to stay in hospital overnight. I had been advised to take my pill bottles with me. Followed instructions and took pills in pharmacy bottles. Hospital nurse gave me hospital pills after I told her I had my own pills in my overnight bag. That was repeated the next morning. Insurance refused to pay for hospital pills because they had paid when I had scripts filled at pharmacy.

So, hospital sends me a bill for $290. I objected because I had my own pills with me. I offered to replace their pills from my supply. No deal they want $290. They charged me $20 or $30 per pill. I get a 30 day supply for $9 at CVS. So I offered to pay hospital at my normal rate. They still want $290. I said I would not pay it. Next thing I know collection agency is calling.

I have been refused credit from all the normal finance groups on an auto loan. My credit rating was 800+ before and had dropped about 50 points last week. I have no bills other than monthly utilities and one credit card that is paid in total two weeks prior to due date..

Question. Would you eat **** and pay a bill that I do not feel I owe, or go with least resistance and pay the bill? I have never been extorted before, and at 77 years old, I am reluctant to start now. Credit rating be damned. Just a little stubborn? Principles involved. Help, any comment appreciated.

At this point, I don't think it will matter much more if the damage has already been done to your credit.

My wife had something pop up on her credit years after we got married and years after we had bought our first house. A college she attended while living in Georgia nearly 10 years prior, updated their records to an electronic system. In the process change her account to indicate she had never paid. Because it was so old, she no longer had any records of the account being paid (it was paid through her ex-husband's GI Bill), and there was no way for her to prove her case or challenge it with credit agencies. Even the people at the college itself admitted that she didn't owe and that other people were having the exact same problem. Ultimately, when we went to re-finance our home, we were told to basically just pay it, even though we shouldn't have to, otherwise it would seriously damage our credit. It was a couple thousand out of pocket.

 

[mneilmont]

At this point, I don't think it will matter much more if the damage has already been done to your credit.

My wife had something pop up on her credit years after we got married and years after we had bought our first house. A college she attended while living in Georgia nearly 10 years prior, updated their records to an electronic system. In the process change her account to indicate she had never paid. Because it was so old, she no longer had any records of the account being paid (it was paid through her ex-husband's GI Bill), and there was no way for her to prove her case or challenge it with credit agencies. Even the people at the college itself admitted that she didn't owe and that other people were having the exact same problem. Ultimately, when we went to re-finance our home, we were told to basically just pay it, even though we shouldn't have to, otherwise it would seriously damage our credit. It was a couple thousand out of pocket.

Yes, If I weren't so damned old I would probably opt for that solution. I just don't see the need at this point in life. It is more of an insult than a credit problem. I do not see anything I need that I cannot pay for.

My first thought is to write a couple letters to editors of the serving newspapers, That may help other people who are contemplating a visit to provider.

I had a similar episode about 25 years back trying to get credit with Brooks Brothers Clothing. A man called me checking out my credit. He gave me a couple things to respond to. He mentioned Goose Creek. I told him my only connection was I passed thru there going to Charleston, SC and passed thru on return trip, but never put foot on ground in Goose Creek, SC. The man hung up and I got no credit. Never found the association, but it was still hanging out there on credit check. Don't know what it is or how to get rid of it - 25 years later.

 

[Airport]

For a back operation, I had to stay in hospital overnight. I had been advised to take my pill bottles with me. Followed instructions and took pills in pharmacy bottles. Hospital nurse gave me hospital pills after I told her I had my own pills in my overnight bag. That was repeated the next morning. Insurance refused to pay for hospital pills because they had paid when I had scripts filled at pharmacy.

So, hospital sends me a bill for $290. I objected because I had my own pills with me. I offered to replace their pills from my supply. No deal they want $290. They charged me $20 or $30 per pill. I get a 30 day supply for $9 at CVS. So I offered to pay hospital at my normal rate. They still want $290. I said I would not pay it. Next thing I know collection agency is calling.

I have been refused credit from all the normal finance groups on an auto loan. My credit rating was 800+ before and had dropped about 50 points last week. I have no bills other than monthly utilities and one credit card that is paid in total two weeks prior to due date..

Question. Would you eat **** and pay a bill that I do not feel I owe, or go with least resistance and pay the bill? I have never been extorted before, and at 77 years old, I am reluctant to start now. Credit rating be damned. Just a little stubborn? Principles involved. Help, any comment appreciated.

$9 is your copay. You have to find out what your insurance company reimburses to be exact.