Ask Me Help Desk - Court Summons for medical bill

I had a routine endoscopy about 18 months ago that was approved by my insurance company.
I received a check for the anesthesiologist for $25.20 of the $894 dollar bill they submitted. I forwarded it to the office, albeit 6 months later due to current address mishaps and they cashed it. They then said that I took to long in sending them the check and now they want full payment from me.
The information was never disclosed to me that they did not fall under my BCBSNJ insurance. I had no idea who the anesthesiologist even was before, during or after the procedure. I did not learn of their existence until I received a phone call from a collections agency for the unpaid amount. When I called the Gastro. Dr. that did the procedure I was told that they have an arrangement with said Anest. Office that they will accept whatever the insurance paid as payment in full. But now I am being sued.
I have a copy of the ariginal check from the insurance company that they cashed.
Do I have any chance of going to court and winning this case?
I don't want to go and incur the additional court costs if I don't have a leg to stand on.
I am just so frustrated that this has even occurred. Can they claim that my delay in sending the insurance check is reason for paying the full amount? Do I go to court and present my case... or will I look like a fool?

*Original... opps! Typing to fast

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristen0814

I had a routine endoscopy about 18 months ago that was approved by my insurance company.
I received a check for the anesthesiologist for $25.20 of the $894 dollar bill they submitted. I forwarded it to the office, albeit 6 months later due to current address mishaps and they cashed it. They then said that I took to long in sending them the check and now they want full payment from me.
The information was never disclosed to me that they did not fall under my BCBSNJ insurance. I had no idea who the anesthesiologist even was before, during or after the procedure. I did not learn of their existence until I received a phone call from a collections agency for the unpaid amount. When I called the Gastro. Dr. that did the procedure I was told that they have an arrangement with said Anest. Office that they will accept whatever the insurance paid as payment in full. But now I am being sued.
I have a copy of the ariginal check from the insurance company that they cashed.
Do I have any chance of going to court and winning this case?
I don't want to go and incur the additional court costs if I don't have a leg to stand on.
I am just so frustrated that this has even occurred. Can they claim that my delay in sending the insurance check is reason for paying the full amount? Do I go to court and present my case... or will I look like a fool?

Ok, first it is your respoinibility to check with each office and know who is doing the procedure and if it is covered with your insurace. This is common to happen, that oe part of your hospital visit may not be part of the accepted insurance.

So you will need to try and work out a payment deal with them.