Old Medical Bill.....need help ?

Review your insurance with an agent.If that hospital was a network provider in a Hmo or Ppo,most insurance carriers require them to file patients claims electronically. I would get Insurance agent to contact higher ups in hospital& insurance company to straighten out this mess.

Based on my years of experience with a major HMO, I find it hard to believe that the hospital did not file a claim with your carrier. Trust me, they want to get paid!!!! If they had your information, there is no excuse for them not to do this--and then send you to collections.
What normally happens is when you're admitted, the hospital has to call the HMO to get a preauthorization for services, after which they bill. If they don't have the preauth, the HMO will not pay the claim.
When you got your bills, did it say that your carrier had been billed? It would be good to dig one out and see. If it does, then they did file a claim and I would definately escalate this with your carrier.

if it fell through the hospital cracks, it is their problem not yours. you are only liable for amounts that your insurance does not cover, when they are billed. Many insurance companies say they won't pay on bills submitted after a year, which is the hospital's fault if they didn;t submit it. You should not be penalized for their negligence. I would dispute it on your credit report and don't let them get away with this!

In my opinion you should immediately dispute it with the credit reporting agency.

Everybody is right here. I would call your HMO tomorrow, find out what they would pay for a hospital stay with your diagnosis, and then make arrangements to pay any left-over balance. It is the hospital's problem if they didn't file a claim--and to go after you is just wrong.
Now remember, you also have to pay the MD bill and radiology, etc., aside from the hospital.

I by passed the chain of command at the hospital.I went for the person in charge.Once I explained that the hospital had not filed this claim.She said they would write it off,contact the collection agency and
have it removed from my credit report.The whole transaction took less than 10 mins.
:D :lol: :D

I work for a major insurance company. First find out if the provider was a PPO provider (if you have a PPO policy) during the time of the service. Call your insurance company and find out if the provider can bill for you that because of timely filing. If they can't have your insurance company call the provider letting them know. I would also ask the insurance company if they can send you a letter so that way you can have it for your records.

Karen,
That's great! Sounds like things have been taken care of. Make sure you get it in writing from the hospital, so they don't do it again!

Hi Karen that sounds great. You must be relieved after all the unpleasant circumstances you had to go through.