Ask Me Help Desk - Can they do this?

Can they do this?

So I go to this doctor (an orthopedic guy), about a pain I was having in my arm. I get his bill and sure enough it was expensive. Oh well, what can you do? I paid it. Then...

Two weeks later I get a bill from a hospital. This guy's office is in a building adjacent to the hospital (it's not connected though). The bill was for $150 for a "utility usage fee"! My insurance paid half, and now I'm stuck with the other half.

I guess I signed something (among the multiple forms you have to fill out whenever you see a new doctor), saying that I agreed to this charge. It was never explained to me, and I rushed through the questionairre because I only got there 5 minutes before my appointment. So I didn't even know I was signing it.

This seems pretty fraudulent to me. It's like going to a JiffyLube for an oil change and getting a bill from the flower job on the other side of the parking lot. I was told this doctor was a private practice. I had no idea I was doing business with the hospital. This seems outrageous. Do I have to pay it? Thanks.

Rob

If you don't pay it they will probably send it to collections. I really am having a hard time believing this! I mean, I know greed is running rampant in our so called "society" but, this pisses me off. Now I have heard it all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by magprob

If you don't pay it they will probably send it to collections. I really am having a hard time believing this! I mean, I know greed is running rampant in our so called "society" but, this pisses me off. Now I have heard it all!

Thanks magprob-

It's already at the collection agency and I've got 10 more days to dispute it. I have excellent credit and don't want to mess it up. But this is principle. They are preying on unsuspecting patients. I mean why should you get a $384 bill from the doctor and then another $150 from some hospital that never had contact any with you?

If they own the building and need to collect more rent, they should charge the physicians and have them pass it on to their patients. I'm really peeved about this. Even if it was only for $3. I think they're crooks.

You say your insurance paid half of it, can they explain what its for and why they felt it was reasonable enough to pay?

I would like to see a fuller explanation of this charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobrobster

It's already at the collection agency and I've got 10 more days to dispute it. I have excellent credit and don't want to mess it up...... I think they're crooks.

Hello lob:

I think so too. And, I understand principle... However, you're going about this the wrong way, cause you're whacking off your OWN nose to spite them.

Since it's at the collection agency it already HAS dinged your credit. Pay them, and make sure they remove their entry from your report. If you're lucky, they haven't reported it yet... But, I'll bet they have.

Then sue the hospital in small claims court.

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobrobster

So I go to this doctor (an orthopedic guy), about a pain I was having in my arm. I get his bill and sure enough it was expensive. Oh well, what can you do? I paid it. Then...

Two weeks later I get a bill from a hospital. This guy's office is in a building adjacent to the hospital (it's not connected though). The bill was for $150 for a "utility usage fee"!! My insurance paid half, and now I'm stuck with the other half.

I guess I signed something (among the multiple forms you have to fill out whenever you see a new doctor), saying that I agreed to this charge. It was never explained to me, and I rushed through the questionairre because I only got there 5 minutes before my appointment. So I didn't even know I was signing it.

This seems pretty fraudulent to me. It's like going to a JiffyLube for an oil change and getting a bill from the flower job on the other side of the parking lot. I was told this doctor was a private practice. I had no idea I was doing business with the hospital. This seems outrageous. Do I have to pay it? Thanks.

Rob

Have you asked for a copy of the form you supposedly signed agreeing to this? I'd get that and read it and also ask your insurance company about it. Possibly they billed to insurance under another service. With most insurance companies you are lucky to get them to pay for actual medical services you received, couldn't imagine them willingly paying for that under that description.