WhyChat,
i was served paperwork from a CA (that listed alll of the medical procedures i had had done!!!! grr....) from a CA. thinking that it had already been covered by insurance originally, i discovered it had not been. so i called the OC and they refused to help me (saved the VM) and told me to contact the CA. what should i do? i had called them to find out a settlement amount when they told me to contact the CA. what should i do? contact the CA to find out settlement amount? i need to do this before the court date. HELP!!

bump. please help.

bump. anyone??

Are you sure they're directing you to a collections agency or are they sending you to a third party billing agency? A lot of doctors & medical facilities use third party billers.

it says collection agency on the court papers.... can they put that if it isnt? probably!!

Were you billed for the balance due by the OC?? Do you have anything in writing from your insurance that indicates what ( or if) they paid??

You have apparently been sued, you need to file an answer and notice of appearance with the Court or you will get a default judgment.

Go to the "help I've been served" forum and get help on answering the filed lawsuit.

You should not try to "settle" with the suing CA unless and until you get your documentation together to file an answer.

ok i get that part. i went there and read it. i guess i am trying to Avoid having to file an answer or appear. i guess my question is, i read all over here to not deal with the CA but what happens when the OC wont tell you anything or do anything except refer to the CA? do i just go ahead and try to set an arrangement with the CA?
yes, i have documentation and can get it again from the insurance company. it kind of makes me upset that i get FROM the CA word for word of the procedures that were done. grr..... is there something in the hippa laws that you sign that say they can reveal your personal medical information with a CA?

Yes the HIPAA privacy rules allow for collection activities and reporting, HOWEVER, you are the only one who actually sees all the medical record data, everyone else would just see "medical account".

You need to file your answer and/or appear to defend yourself. Produce your documentation from your insurance Co. and request/require proof of the accuracy of the account.

SOME States have enacted new hospital/medical billing laws that prevent an account from being turned over to a CA without proper notice to the patient that there is a balance due.

ok but if i contact them to set payment arrangements then i wont have to go to court correct? there isnt even a case number on the paperwork. i so dont want to go to court. if i deal with the CA then i wouldnt have to go to court? is that right? i know it is a cardinal sin on here to deal with them but do you recommend me going to court and deal with them there or just call them to set up an arrangement?

it made me mad that the CA had been sent printouts of my account listing everything done. grr... cant trust anything anymore!

thank you!!!!

HAVE you been served ?? Check with the Court and see if an actual case has been filed.

How old is this account anyway??