I recentyly got a letter and then a call from NCO Financial collection Agency, stating that I have to pay $318 for my visit to "US HealthWorks" in Aug 2008 for common illness coughing and fever.
I had my Medical insurance with "Allied Benefits" at that time. I had then changed to "Blue Cross Blue Shield" in 2009. US HealthWorks claimed $318 in Jun 2009. "Allied Benefits" rejected to pay. and hence "US HealthWorks" has handed over the account to NCO Financial collection Agency.
I called Allied Benefits", They only processed claims submitted untill 1/31/2009.
You are missing a lot of information. Might as well headed to creditboard.com or debtboard to get some answers and get your story straight.
FoolishJumper
Senior Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 3:20a
Not missing info, just isn't clear with what happened and adds way to many quotes and pointless info. Timeline follows:
August 2008 - OP went to doctor with insurance #1 Feburary 2009 - OP switched from insurance #1 to insurance #2 June 2009 - Doctor billed insurance #1 for visit from 10 months prior June 2009 - Insurance #1 rejected bill because OP wasn't insuranced in June 2009 August 2010 - OP didn't do anything about notes from doctor, so doctor forwarded bill to collection agency
Sounds like the problem is two-fold. 1) Doctor waited 10 months to file claim & 2) OP didn't respond to doctor's letters about denied claim
I'd assume this is the doctor's fault, as they can't waiting 10 months to file a claim. I know my insurance has a maximum of 6 months to file a claim, and they indicate that this is for claims filed by me or medical practitioners. Hence call "US HealthWorks" and tell them they need to explain why they waited 10 months to file. Their failure to file in a timely manner is not your responsibility, since they are the ones who have an agreement with US HealthWorks. Was US HealthWorks 'in network' for your insurance? Because if so, then they should certainly know Allied Benefits requirements for filing claims.
You should contact Allied Benefits to get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for this particular doctors visit. This will list why the claim was denied. If the claim was denied due to untimely filing, then you need to start the dispute process with NCO because you don't legally owe anything. Otherwise, check up at creditboards.com for this type of issue.
Went to Dr while under plan A near the end of plan A cycle. Switched to plan B. Dr billed plan A a while later. Plan A denied. Dr billed me. Send letter with proof to Dr and Plan A (CC both on the letter) that I was covered at the time of service. Never heard from them again.
mihai124
Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 12:25p
Does anyone know what is the timeframe for the provider to bill the insurance company? Does it vary by state?
SanjuYadgiri
New Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 1:50p
I am a new User , sorry if I didn't provide enough details. But I think some one you got my point and have provided with enough suggestions which will help me to start with. I started with calling to NCO and asked them to mail me the details given by US Health Works. I am trying to contact Alliedbenefits. I will update as I get more info. Thanks again I really appreciate your valuable suggestions and your time.
You'll also get a letter from NCO telling you that you have 30 days to dispute in order to preserve certain rights under FDCPA. Unless you are 100% sure the issue is resolved by then, do dispute in writing to NCO, postmarked within 30 days of the date you receive the initial contact letter from NCO.
EDIT: In re-reading the OP, it appears that you already got the letter. Do get a letter of your own in the mail within 30 days of receipt of theirs.
SanjuYadgiri
New Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 2:30p
Thanks for the Info. That sounds a good Idea. I did tell the rep at NCO to add a note on this case to hold onto this issue, untill I get documents from US Health Works and Allied about this Claim. But I will send a written note to NCO as per your suggestion. Thanks Again.
SanjuYadgiri said: Thanks for the Info. That sounds a good Idea. I did tell the rep at NCO to add a note on this case to hold onto this issue, untill I get documents from US Health Works and Allied about this Claim. But I will send a written note to NCO as per your suggestion. Thanks Again.
Calling does not count, kind of. You need to send a letter to them, so that they know you are serious and you are keeping a paper trail. Good luck.
SanjuYadgiri
New Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 2:45p
You got a point. I will send them in writing. Thanks.
SanjuYadgiri
New Member
posted: Aug. 18, 2010 @ 6:32p
I have sent "certified mailed" written dispute letter to NCO stating the facts which will reach then within 30 days of their letter, and have asked for additional information from Allied and US health works. Based on the documents I will receive, I will send another letter to NCO and hope that will resolve the issue. I once again thank everyone for guiding me through this.
mikeres
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Aug. 24, 2010 @ 1:48a
SanjuYadgiri said: I have sent "certified mailed" written dispute letter to NCO stating the facts which will reach then within 30 days of their letter, and have asked for additional information from Allied and US health works. Based on the documents I will receive, I will send another letter to NCO and hope that will resolve the issue. I once again thank everyone for guiding me through this.NCO is not your friend. NCO is an unscrupulous collection agency - just Google to view horror stories. Do not believe/rely on anything they tell you over the phone. You do not / should not provide them with any details (too late now) - all your letter should have said is "I dispute. Please validate" It is up to NCO to provide you with the details that support the existence of a valid debt. Go to creditboards to at least familiarize yourself with the procedures and options available to protect yourself.
aeiouy
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Aug. 24, 2010 @ 2:54a
Do you still use that Doctor?
If so or even if not, I would call and yell at their billing department.
It won't probably do a lot for NCO, but you can follow the other advice to deal with them, but it may make it help from getting this debt from re-appearing in the future.
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