A wrongful billing

[Abby08]

They're hoping you'll get tired of the intrusion and, pay it.

[pjohns]

Might be time to contact a lawyer. Look to see if there's a low-cost legal clinic in your area.

Typically they'll charge a couple hundred bucks to write a first cease-and-desist letter. That sounds outrageous, and it is - but if they don't cease and desist, he can follow through, and maybe also initiate punitive damage claims.

Actually, if it were me, I would thoroughly relish their following through with legal action--in fact, I would very much encourage them to do so--as it would only make them appear ludicrous.

[pjohns]

The problem with that plan is the hospital will just sell the bill to a debt collector.

I truly wish that they would. In fact, I very much wish it.

The only problem that I can see is that it would make the debt collector appear ridiculous (which I have no desire to do).

[pjohns]

Doesn't Medico send you a statement of what they paid?

Yes--when they are contacted.

But the hospital has not contacted them about this; so no statement was ever sent, in this regard.

[pjohns]

Have you contacted Medico to determine whether a claim has been filed?

That is certainly a fair question.

But my wife has contacted the hospital several times, and they have admitted to never having contacted Medico.

The first time, they did a mea culpa, and indicated that they would contact Medico.

It is just that they never did so.

[pjohns]

They're hoping you'll get tired of the intrusion and, pay it.

This is probably true.

But I am angry--no, thoroughly enraged--over it, even more than I am tired of it.

And I very much believe in fighting back--not merely caving in.

[carolina73]

Actually, if it were me, I would thoroughly relish their following through with legal action--in fact, I would very much encourage them to do so--as it would only make them appear ludicrous.

And catch whoever caused the problem in the net

[The Booman]

And yet medicare will suddenly, magically become efficient and organized if everybody has it.

[Captdon]

That is certainly a fair question.

But my wife has contacted the hospital several times, and they have admitted to never having contacted Medico.

The first time, they did a mea culpa, and indicated that they would contact Medico.

It is just that they never did so.

Medico should have told them they would be reported to Medicare. Medicare can blacklist them. That's what Aetna does.

[Dr. Who]

That is certainly a fair question.

But my wife has contacted the hospital several times, and they have admitted to never having contacted Medico.

The first time, they did a mea culpa, and indicated that they would contact Medico.

It is just that they never did so.

I would contact Medico and ask them if a claim was filed and if not, how you should proceed in order to resolve this issue. You certainly don't want the hospital turning the matter over to a third party for collection, have your credit rating impacted or end up in litigation.