[joedirt]

I had an old hospital bill from 11-27-05. My Ins Co. did not pay it because they said it was submitted improperly. I dont remember getting a notice from the OC saying it was denied. Well after some research I find that it should have been paid and the Ins Co sends me a check. I call the OC, who knew what I was doing and they say, " Ok, send it to the CA" I said "NO FRICKIN WAY" you been lookin for this money for 2 1/2 years now, I have check in hand and am willing to give it to you. All Im lookin for is a note saying its not in collection any more. Girls says I will call you tomorrow and let you know if thats acceptable.

So if she says no send to CA should I call and argue the point with them??

[drivel]

joe, the reason hospitals hire collection agencies is because they dont have the time or the money to continue to waste on you.

You got an explanation of benefits form from your insurance company telling you that the claim was denied. 2 1/2 years is a long time.

The ca gets paid whether you send the check to the hospital or the ca. so you are getting all hot and bothered over a non issue.

[Enigma]

Agreeing with Drivel, I would add to check your credit reports to ensure that it is not reporting.

However, if the chack is made out to the hospital, your only option is to send it to the CA or send it to the hospital and they will forward it to the CA for you.

[Lost]

You didnt say if it is being reported on your CR -- though after 2 1/2 years, it probably is. Is the check from the Insurance Company made out to you or the hospital?

Here is what *I* would do and we all know that doesn't mean too much-----and this is if I was paying with my own check--

I would NEVER send money to a CA concerning a bill like this.

Here is what I would do:

Send the payment to the OC, when the check is returned (they will cash it) make a copy of it, mark out your account numbers on the check and send it with a letter to the CA. Notate your account number with the CA and let them know the debt has been paid to the OC and ask (don't demand--I subscribe to the more flies with honey philosophy) that it be marked paid on your CR. They probably won't, so You will have to do some extra work to get the collection marked paid by the CRA's, but that's how it works.

I wouldn't have wasted my time calling the hospital....

[joedirt]

Thanks for all the comments....yes its on my CR's. Ive paid several of these small collections to the OC in the past and they have all been removed from CR's. My concern is getting it removed because its from 2006 and will be there for awhile. This is a billing company for the Dr's part of the hospital bill. Hospital was paid way back when. The billing company made a mistake when they billed it originally. The Ins co told me that so Im trying to play that card now. I really only want this off my CR's and if I pay it now does it start the 7 year clock again??

[jlynn]

No paying it does not restart the clock.

[joedirt]

Woooo Hoooo !!! OC called today and said OK We will pull it from collections if you send us the check.

[Hedwig]

Way to go!

[apexcrsrvc]

Great . . .