This means war

[ellid]

Remember how last month I got a bill from my doctor for a fee I'd already paid? And how I sent them a letter telling them that no, I paid the debt in May?

They just sent me TWO dunning letters for the same debt, one of them threatening collection.

I just e-mailed their billing office AND left an angry telephone message on their voice mail. I can understand a two or three day delay in posting the debt, but nearly two months???????

Comments

[varianor.livejournal.com]

This probably comes about because the alleged debt was sold to a collection agency while you paid it. This is very frustrating and annoying for the consumer because the systems move the debt through them at a pace that does not match up with what's happening in the real world. (Kind of like banks that don't register a payment for a week after you make it then hit you with a fee - there's tons of stuff going on behind the scenes.)

I might suggest sending registered or certified letters (latter is better - proof of delivery) with copies of the payment to all parties concerned. Email is not always sufficient. Then check out your rights in Massachusetts. Some information that may help:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagoterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer+Protection&L2=Credit+and+Financial+Literacy&L3=Consumer+Credit&sid=Cago&b=terminalcontent&f=consumer_fair_debt_collection&csid=Cago
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/debt.html

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's from their usual billing office so I don't think it's a collection agency. I already sent them a letter stating very clearly that I didn't owe them this money, and next weekend will, if I don't hear back from them, go to my bank and get the evidence I need to show that yes, the debt was paid in full.

Would leaving a message for my doctor do any good at this point?

[orphandani.livejournal.com]

Would leaving a message for my doctor do any good at this point?

Not really. Most doctors don't handle that end of things-- they leave it to their billing department. You could try calling them... but I'd have the canceled check in hand first. That way you can say "The back of the check shows it was deposited into your account on such-n-such a day".

[varianor.livejournal.com]

Only if it's a very small office and the doctor gets involved in these matters. If it's a practice with multiple physicians, they have an office manager or even a billing manager who handles this. Escalate it to them first.

[orphandani.livejournal.com]

I had that happen once-- I paid the bill at the doctor's office, which then sent the payment to the local office. Meanwhile, the corporate office sent out a "pay this or else" notice. I sent them a copy of the receipt and they said I still owed it 'cause the money went to the wrong office. I wrote back and said MY LAWYER (of which there was no such creature) said I didn't owe anything because I paid at the doc's office IN GOOD FAITH that the doc would know where to send the money. The local office agreed and told the corporate office to leave me alone. Eventually they did. Good thing I had copies of the canceled check and the receipt and all that. Hope you get them to leave you alone SOON. :)

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I can't find the receipt, but I can easily get something from my bank showing that I paid the correct amount on May 5th. I'm hoping that the phrase "I will contact my attorney" will stop this nonsense, because they sure as hell aren't getting another penny from me for a debt I've already paid.

[orphandani.livejournal.com]

For a nominal fee your bank can get you a copy -- front and back -- of your canceled check. Or a copy of your statement if you used a debit card. Either way, the threat of a lawyer usually makes 'em back down a bit. :) Go get 'em!!