Weird medical bill question

[mrsklamc]

So, earlier this year I had a CT scan. The Dr's office contracts another company to do the CT scans in house, but then handles the billing.

I know I have a $1500 deductible, and keep calling to try to pay this bill. I get $98 charges here, $200 there, but never the CT scan bill. I have my credit card in hand and am TRYING to pay them, but nothing.

So today I get a nasty collections call for $1100. DH says to let him handle it. He calls the collections company, and armed with their information, calls the doctors office back and says, "We have a misunderstanding here, and by the way, please contact me with this stuff in the future as my wife has just been diagnosed with cancer."

The woman agrees to look into it, and calls my husband back in a manner he describes as 'very emotional or crying.' She says no one ever diplomatically tries to resolve mistakes and people just call her yelling and screaming, so she will just write off the $1100.

I'm confused. We have the ability to pay this bill, and my DH made it clear that we had no intention of dodging it. Is this wrong somehow? I just can't get past 'but if we owe it, we should pay it." Our financial adviser says it's no different than anyone else wanting to help us out because we are nice people and handing us $1000 on the street to help with my medical bills.

 

[MomBoyd]

"Our financial adviser says it's no different than anyone else wanting to help us out because we are nice people and handing us $1000 on the street to help with my medical bills."

Your financial adviser is right. This is now one less thing to worry about and more time you can spend taking care of yourself.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think you are very blessed that they are willing to write it off. I have only gotten something written off for like $50 once. I would feel better if they sent you a bill with a zero balance etc. Are you the poster who was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer? Wishing you all the best. I usually let my dh handle all the ins. stuff tooi now since I have enough to deal with in just dealing with the cancer too.

 

[Soon2B4]

Be thankful you have such a wonderful doctor's office/billing dept. That is a wonderful gift. Like pp mentioned, just get a $0 bill from them if you can so it doesn't come back to haunt you.

When my DS had cancer, I actually had a doctor's billing dept tell me they wanted their money or they wouldn't do a 2nd operation on my son. There is a program in our state that covers children with such problems regardless if you have insurance or not. They will pick up your copay and deductible. They had to get the money from them, but didn't want to wait. I paid it so my son could have his surgery and then had to fight to get my money back. It finally took the state calling them to get them to give my money back. Long story short, be VERY thankful. Not all billing people are so nice.

I wish you all the best!

 

[bumbershoot]

That's really kind of her. I would accept it, make sure they send you a zero balance statement, and move on.

And no, they don't often get someone kindly wanting to pay. I spend well over a month calling two MRI places, trying to pay them if only they'd send a bill, and each time, each call, they were surprised that I was so on the ball. I just figured, I'd received the EOB by email 2 days after they submitted it, and I wanted to PAY....

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

If they are writing this off is this going against your credit? I would just make sure . I am not trying to be a downer . I work in the credit card business. If it is not going against your credit then I am happy for you. I wish you all the best !

 

[JimmyJr'sMom]

Used to do billing for quite a few years (then my job was outsourced to India- probably the same place where they read our x-rays and bill OUR Medicare program for it) and many doc's write off a number of things. It looks like a charity write off or they take it like the way they have to discount the charges to the agreed upon price with the insurance companies. Normally all charges billed to an insurance will have a portion that is paid and a portion that is written off.Best of luck to you.

 

[mamalle]

wow that is incredible. People never cease to amaze me. I didnt know they could waive deductibles either. Hope everything turns out well with your health.

 

[JeMarie6]

It's possible your doctor forgot to get it preauthorized and tried to bill you anyway. They are supposed to write that off since it there error but don't always unless they are called on it. Either way I'd be happy if its truly written off, but I'd get proof that the bill is paid in full/zeroed out so it doesn't come back to haunt you later.

 

[DisneyShannon]

I agree with many of the posters here, count it as a gift. The doctor is just going to write it off on his taxes anyway. You can use that money to pay for a diffrent medical treatment, or if you feel like you should pay give the money to a charity at the hospital.

 

[fakereadhed]

Nice to know that Karma is alive and well!

Best of luck!

 

[mrsklamc]

You'd think I would have learned to multi-quote by now Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes.

Yes, I am the one that was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Surgery is the 22nd.

Luvmarypoppins, I am sorry you are dealing with this too and I hope your prognosis is good.

Soon2B4, I hope that since you said your son HAD cancer, this is behind you now. I will take this any day over having a child have it.