I am 19 years old and in college, my dentist is threatening to turn my account over to collections after sending me a bill over a year ago. When I asked about getting crowns he told me that my insurance would cover the all of the bills, and never gave me an estimate. After he realized that insurance would only cover 75% he sent me a bill for 800 bucks.
Also he billed the insurance companies over two years, saying the work was done in 2 separate years, when in reality it was done all in one year. Is that insurance fraud?
Should I just pay the bill or fight this guy?
2007-04-30 14:18:36 · 6 answers · asked by Redwine 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
What you describe is indeed insurance fraud. However, that doesn't solve your problem. You should probably report him, but he will then bill you for the work that insurance paid for.
No matter what he told you, it is the responsibility of the policy-holder to determine what coverage they have and make decisions accordingly. Then, when a bill comes due, it is the policy-holder's responsibility to pay it. That's you, and that's where you are now. The fact that you neglected to do your own research and trusted the dentist to know your policy, doesn't change the fact that you owe the money.
2007-04-30 14:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by Still reading 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you received something from your dentist in writing that everything would be covered by your insurance, you may have something to work with, otherwise no deal.
Medical insurance is a contract between the patient and the insurance company. The dentist is only the middle man to handle some of the paperwork; your duty to pay is to him anything that your insurance did not cover. Was he an *** for telling you everything would be covered 100% - YES. Do ***es win in court? - Every day. Sorry.
Try to negotiate with him for either good re-payment terms or a partial payment to satisfy the entire balance. What ever you do, get it in writing if you pay anything less then the full amount he is billing you. Avoid getting this on your credit; your score will suffer greatly because of it.
2007-05-01 15:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by JJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I think I'd just pay the bill and be done with it. You don't want it on your credit report. As far as the insurance fraud stuff, well, that is actually probably to your advantage because you probably maxed out on your yearly cap. Because his office filed in two separate years, you probably ended up owing less money. So, if you report it, be prepared for your bill to go up! Kind of a catch 22 there ... That's why I say, just pay it and move on to a dentist with a better and more ethical office staff. Best of luck ...
2007-04-30 14:30:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why in the world would he send you a bill if you didn't own him anything?? I think you misunderstood this.
Insurance NEVER covers everything. I've never seen dental cover more than 50% of crowns. Your policy is amazing, covering 75%!!
It might be insurance fraud, if you want to file a complaint, go ahead - he'll have to reimburse the insurance company the extra amount they paid, and add it to your account.
If he takes you to court, you're going to lose. Pay the bill. Save yourself court costs and attorney fees - his - which will get added to your judgement.
2007-04-30 14:24:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its mail fraud,for sending the bill,extortion for the threat, call the postal inspector for the mail and the FBI for the threat.
2007-04-30 14:22:46 · answer #5 · answered by SMEAC 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pay the damn bill and get on with your life!!!!!
2007-04-30 14:21:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋