Q: A medical billing company continues to send me bills with massive upcharges even after payments have been sent.
Is legal action applicable here? The statements are confusing and vary in amounts owed. When I've called the billing company which is separate from the doctors office, they don't answer the phone and they do not get back to me after voicemails. This gave me no option but to use the online payment system which didn't even have any information for the place, it just prompted me to input all the info in myself and felt unsafe. I have all the statements in chronological order and i don't know why the amounts balloons without explanation. My insurance covered this procedure. It really feels like illegal billing practices.
A: Your frustration is understandable. It could be worth discussing with your insurance carrier. As a general matter, they do not like to get involved in the collection aspect of bills through private third-party billing and collection companies. However, reputable insurance companies do want to ensure that their policyholders are being billed fairly, with proper coding, and in with transparency when it comes to explanations of charges. Good luck
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A:
You have every right to demand a clear explanation of all charges and how they were calculated. The frustration of not receiving answers or consistent statements is valid and could be addressed through consumer protection laws in your state.
You can consider disputing the charges in writing, providing copies of your payment records, and requesting a corrected billing statement. You can also contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage and payment details so you have proof to back up your dispute.
If the billing company continues to refuse to provide clarity, you can explore filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Managed Health Care. You might also think about taking legal steps if the problem remains unresolved, as misleading or deceptive billing practices can be grounds for a claim.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
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