Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

I received a call about two weeks ago from my doctor's office that stated my wife owed about $2000 for a service date of September 2010 for some tests that were run. The billing manger at her doctor's office apologized they had never billed us but was requesting payment. I called my insurance company told me that the doctor did not code the tests correctly and needed to include my wife's diagnosis. I told the doctor's office this and they said they would rebill. Today I received a call from a collection agency demanding payment in full. I called the doctor's billing office and they said they did not rebill my insurance yet and had not contacted any collection agency. The collection agency said tough, I must pay and if I didn't it would be recorded as refusal to pay. However, one will not talk to the other. What are my options? Thank you for your help.


Asked on 12/30/11, 3:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Jordan Jordan Law Office

If the doctor says they did not refer the account to the collection agency, is it possible the collection agency is collecting for another provider? It is common that when tests are performed, there are 2 or more providers and they bill separately. For instance, the doctor bills for drawing blood and the lab charges for performing the tests. Ask the collection agency who the provider is and demand a copy of the bill. They must provide you with documentation of the amount owed.

Good luck!

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Answered on 12/30/11, 3:26 pm


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