Can Debt Collector On Behalf Of Medical Offfice
by Lisa
(Mississippi)
...Place their Name On My credit Report AS a Creditor as soon as it receives the bill, then start contacting Me???
I disagreed with the charge for services by a Mississippi Emergency Room "Physicians Assistant" over and above what my insurance company paid to them. Although the Hospital was contracted with my insurance,this ER company claims it was not and it would not honor my insurer's adjustment of the ER physician's charges. When I first entered the ER and registered, I presented my card and was told the hospital was under contract and I "was fine."
I contacted the ER physicians co. right away when I received their bill saying I was still responsible for their Balance in full: regardless of what my insurance subtracted under a contracted with their hospital. I told them I thought they were holding themselves out as a part of the hospital they were working in, and I would have to call my insurance company. My insurance said I was absolutely not responsible for any more than the contracted amount.
I called the ER company one week later and they told me they sent it to a collection agency, who handles their unpaid bills on the same day that I called them. I ended up being charged $1500 for a creek in my neck after seeing a PA for 10 minutes.
Is it legal for that collection agency to place on my credit report that "they" are a creditor who I owe $172? I never received anything in writing from them and the admit that they did not have my correct address. However, the debt collector said If I wanted them to remove the debt as being "DEROGATORY_ ABS COLLECTION AGENCY " from my report , I must first stop disputing the charges and pay in full!!
This is so unfair! I have never had a derogatory reporting on my credit report. It's like they are trying to coerce you into paying by notifying the credit reporting agencies.
My husband says just pay it, but my neighbor says they did the same thing to her after a visit to the ER. She, like me had no idea who this collection agency was placing the exact same words on her report. We both teach school, but we have been proud we stay out of debt.PLEASE HELP!