Awesome. The hospital sent me to collections.

eminbmore

When I started bleeding with my second miscarriage, I went to the local ER (I live in the middle of nowhere, the closest ER is kind of podunk).  The attending doc refused to call anyone with OB experience, did an abdominal u/s on me (when I was 7 weeks pregnant), told me nothing, and sent me on my way.  OH and also felt the need to run a STD panel on me as well, without my knowledge or consent.

So, they're trying to charge us for the visit (obviously), including $250 for the STD panel.  Um, ex-fvcking-cuse me? I'm not paying for that! I was bleeding out my baby, there was no need to test me for STDs.  And if it was protocol, they needed to at least inform me of it. 

DH called the hospital when we initially got the bill, and said we wouldn't be paying it.  They said the doctor would be calling me to discuss it.  He never called, we thought the matter was closed and moved on.

Yeah, the hospital sent me to collections - I just got the phone call. 

WTH do I do now? I refuse to pay this $hit!

pepomntpat

They usually give you a chance to dispute the bill in writing. I'd do that.  You can also call the hospital again. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. It is so unfair.  They shouldn't be able to bill you for stuff like this. {hugs}

JuJuBe3

I'm so sorry, Em.  This is total bull.  I would write a firey letter to the hospital and include all of the facts, and send it to multiple persons, like the billing department, the ER doc and the CEO or whoever at the top.  The key is to include someone with power who can fix it. 

I've done this with several wrong billings and have always seen it taken care of.  I hope it gets fixed for you too! 

 

Scout05

You have to be kidding me. You're damn right they should have informed you before running any tests.

I would talk to the hospital again, and explain that you were not informed of, nor gave consent for these tests, and therefore you are not willing to pay for them. Take it from there.

Grrr, I'm sorry.

3ltlones

I'm really sorry.  I would definitely dispute it, it's just crazy.  I truly hope you can get it taken care of, though I"m sorry you have to, I'm sure that isn't something you want to deal with.

Mrs.EmmaLouise

That sucks.  Call and yell at everyone you can. That's what I would do.  Ask to talk to the biller, and the doc who you were told would call you.  In the mean time maybe pay the portion not including the STD panel.  As far as I know they can't send you to collections if you are making payments, so that would at least defer going to collections until it gets all sorted out.  

Sorry you're dealing with this nonsense. 

eminbmore

Thanks ladies.  DH is on the phone with the hospital now, hopefully getting this sorted out for once (he's meaner than I am, I send him out to do the hard negotiating ;-)).

The collection agency did give me the instructions for how to dispute it through them too, which I will do as well.

This whole thing is just such a PITA.  FU miscarriage

rjl07

Hope you can get it sorted out soon.  Sorry you have to deal with this.

bbhalphen

That's bullsh!t!  I hope you're able to get it taken care of.

butterfly843

Glad you have dh calling the hospital. I would dispute it also. That is just ridiculous.