Question:
8 months out...Will these bills ever stop rolling in?

Hi folks, I had surgery over 8 months ago and I STILL keep getting bills. My insurance covered surgery 100% after I fulfilled a 500.00 CO-Pay. I actually paid over 525.00 in 01 in CO-Pays. I still keep getting bills, the most recent saying I owe Radiology 35.00 (all in net work service btw I confirmed that before surgery and all work was done in 01) and they are going to send me to collections if I don't pay them within 15 days. I keep calling them and telling them to resubmitt to BCBS...if they aren't doing what they are supposed to do what are my resources for getting them to leave me and my credit alone? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. I have wonderful credit and don't want these people to ruin it for 35.00 that I DO NOT OWE them. Who's to say that if I just go ahead and pay it that they won't bully me into more payments??? Even BCBS says I have met my obligation for 01 and to have them re-submitt the bill to them. Thanks. -Kim open RNY 7/17 -101    — KimBo36 (posted on April 7, 2002)

April 6, 2002
Here are a couple of suggestions. First get your insurance to send you a statement in writing that all obligations on your part have been fulfilled. This way if you get another bill you can just send it right back to the doc's office with a copy of the letter. Second, send every bill you get in directly to your insurance company. If the doc's office is still asking for money then they are breaking their contract with your insurance company. Believe me, they'd much rather eath that $35 than lose the contract with BCBS. Hope this helps.
   — Vicki H.

April 6, 2002
I have Cigna for health insurance. Everytime any Dr office submitts a bill it gets rejected on the grounds that they don"t cover WLS. I have to call them directly, speak with a claims rep and after explaining they approved my surgery they apoligize and pay. Speak with a rep and get thier name if you are not satisified after a fwe times ask to speak with a supervisor.---- Good Luck
   — Robert L.

April 6, 2002
I am glad you asked this question. Because I am almost 7 months out and still have bills coming in. And I had BC/BS also. I am going to call them monday morning!!! Thanks Nancy
   — nkoehler88

April 7, 2002
Do you still have all the EOBs from the insurance company? Look at them to see if they show you owe anything to any of the people who are billing you. If they do, you'll want to call your insurance company to verify that. BTW, EOB is Explanation of Benefits. I'm glad you brought this up. I hadn't really thought about this issue, but I will be keeping them so I can check back if I'm getting billed for something I don't think I should have to pay.
   — garw

April 7, 2002
Having to only have paid about $500 is wonderful! I'm jealous! I work for a hospital and you would think that because of the type of business I work for I wouldn't have to pay that much. Wrong! I will be paying $3,000 for my surgery. About the $35.00, call the billing department and speak directly to a manager or supervisor. Usually management staff will take the time to listen and investigate the problem. Good luck!
   — Joanie J.

April 7, 2002
You should first check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier for this particular bill. If you don't have an EOB, call your insurance carrier to see if they have paid the bill. If they have, request a copy of the EOB and forward it on to the radiology company. If the insurance company doesn't have the bill, call the radiology company back and verify your social security number, group number and name AND address of the insurance carrier they sent the bill to. Tell them to send the insurance carrier and itemized bill with a diagnosis and ask them to send you one too (fax it if possible) and you forward the bill to the insurance company for payment. My guess if the radiologist probably never billed the insurance carrier.
   — Patty H.