Medical bill snafu

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Medical bill snafu
2
Fri, 12-02-2005 - 7:07pm
Hi, all. Well, the medical bill saga is ongoing. To my credit, I paid off one MD bill (total $400+). The insurance paid half, I paid the balance. I did talk again to the claims rep. They FINALLY paid on 2nd doctor bill from August (again, half). And, I spoke to another doctor's billing person, who is going to send me an updated bill. They did finally receive some payment. I paid off doctor #4. The only things outstanding---$1900+ ER bill, and an $8,000 bill for radiology. I contacted the ER by e-mail, and they sent everything in again last month for review, and I enclosed several phone numbers. The massive $8K bill, I am going to have to research more because no one has received a statement. The processing center didnt have a phone number listed, but I got that today. Really, to take 3-4 months to pay on a claim is ridiculous. It must be going by covered wagon or carrier pigeon. LOL. Just venting (sorry). Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Sat, 12-03-2005 - 11:36am
Oh, Whiz.
I'm sorry you are going through this. Try not to worry about it so much..it will all get straightened out one way or another. One thing to watch for is that the insurance flat-out rejects a claim, or syas that the service is not covered without further explanation. while they are playing ping-pong back and forth, there isn't an awful lot you can do.
Radiology bills tend to be outrageous. When i was in over the summer with kidney stones, my radiology bills were higher than every other bill, including the hospital bill, and I stayed as an inpatient. on those bills, more than half was written off as above the usual and customary charges. Not sure how it works, exactly, if you go out of network, or something. But anyhow, as long as you pay something towards the bill each month (once you receive a legitimate bill), than there isn't too much they can do to compel you to pay the entire amount in full.
Hang in there!! I know it must feel like a storm cloud looming over, but this is something that is pretty much out of your control at the moment, so don't let it consume you. Breathe!! Breathe again! Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 6:06pm
Hi, Heather and thanks for your support on this. All I want is to have no more trips to the ER. I have been watching my weight, etc., so am trying to do all I can. Whiz.