Holiday Hospital Trip = Debt Collection Agency

Benny1978

Hi All, not really sure this is the right forum for this, apologies if not !

During a trip to New York City a family member ended up with a bug that put them in hospital with severe dehydration. Not ideal !
I night in a Manhattan hospital, 3 saline IVs and some antibiotics. Now they get a letter from a debt collection agency (Computer Credit Inc) asking for $15,000.
However, the travel insurance details were given to the hospital who said they would take care of it. After speaking with the insurance company they said that no claims had been made. So obviously the hospital did not make the claim. The insurance company have now been informed of the debt letter.

Has anyone has similar experiences ?

We are obviously very worried about them not paying out or if they do, not covering the debt collection agency fees !

Also any suggestions of where to get legal assistance in the event we come across further problems with this ?

Thanks in Advance
Benny

isplumm

Benny1978 wrote: »

Hi All, not really sure this is the right forum for this, apologies if not !

During a trip to New York City a family member ended up with a bug that put them in hospital with severe dehydration. Not ideal !
I night in a Manhattan hospital, 3 saline IVs and some antibiotics. Now they get a letter from a debt collection agency (Computer Credit Inc) asking for $15,000.
However, the travel insurance details were given to the hospital who said they would take care of it. After speaking with the insurance company they said that no claims had been made. So obviously the hospital did not make the claim. The insurance company have now been informed of the debt letter.

Has anyone has similar experiences ?

We are obviously very worried about them not paying out or if they do, not covering the debt collection agency fees !

Also any suggestions of where to get legal assistance in the event we come across further problems with this ?

Thanks in Advance
Benny

Assuming that these are debt collectors & NOT bailiffs - then they do not have any power - they can not enter property without a court order - so I would let the insurance company deal with it.

Mark

Steve1981

seems a very expensive night too, we had a full day in a vegas hospital with scans, and all sorts of test when we found out my wife was expecting a few years back and that was about £600 if I recall, our issue was that there was no uk contact number to get authorisation for the care, it was settled in the end but a bit of a nightmare.

can you be sure that the company are legit and its not a scam?

SandC

What have the insurance company said, are they now happy that you have a legitimate claim? When they say they have no record of a claim they probably mean from you, rather than the hospital. Insurance companies usually specify that in any event you ring them immediately an icident occurs, or as soon after as possible.

Have your insurers accepted this as a claim now? If so leave it to them. If not I doubt whether a firm from USA can chase up debts from you anyway.

TheBlonde

It's quite normal - the hospital immediately pass it on to debt collectors - it happened to me as the insurer was slow to pay

Best to hassle your insurer and make sure they will be paying out

FH_Brit

Benny - I am a medical debt collector
(See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1011487)

Isplum - not totally right, correct debt colectors cannot "force entry" but wrong that we cannot do anything against Debtors in the UK (we report to the credit reporting agencies in the UK - so that you are "black listed" as some call it) We can also engage any number of UK companies to assist us in collection. Bailffs also need a court order, no one can enter your home regarding debt if not first obtained a court order to do so.

The other "problem" that I see in what you say is "so I would let the insurance company deal with it." if your insurance company do not deal with it (AXA typical to "leave it in the pile") then as YOU are legally respobnsible to the medical providers (and plural is common - you may have multiple bills) YOU are in delinquency NOT you insurers.

Steve - Irrelevant how long - it's what services you have that makes the cost - similar .... Enter A Mini dealer and spend £20k in ten minutes, spend the same ten minutes in a Rolls Royce dealer and spend £250k!!!

To be sure of a debt collectors "legitimacy" call the hospital/facility and ask if "ABC Debt Collectors" work for the hospital.

The Blonde - Is totally correct - You need to pursue your IC and inform them that you will make a complaint to the FOS (0845 010 1800) if they do not get this matter settled in 30 days - on day 31 if not settled - call the FOS. Also you MUST inform the debt collector what you are doing and ask them to hold a short while. They don't have to but normally they will. Inform the debt collectors that you need a UB04 (Hospital) or 1500 (Doctors) form sent to your insurers (supply the debt collector weith your IC's name, address, phone number and your claim number.

If the debt collectors don't/won't PM me for further assistance.

isplumm

FH_Brit wrote: »

Benny - I am a medical debt collector
(See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1011487)

Isplum - not totally right, correct debt colectors cannot "force entry" but wrong that we cannot do anything against Debtors in the UK (we report to the credit reporting agencies in the UK - so that you are "black listed" as some call it) We can also engage any number of UK companies to assist us in collection. Bailffs also need a court order, no one can enter your home regarding debt if not first obtained a court order to do so.


If the debt collectors don't/won't PM me for further assistance.

So just so I understand this - you are saying that without any form of court order, you can go to the credit agencies & get someone blacklisted. As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as a blacklist in the UK - see http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/082008/have-you-been-blacklisted.html for example

Could you clarify?

Thanks Mark

isplumm

FH_Brit wrote: »

Benny - I am a medical debt collector
(See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1011487)

Isplum - . Bailffs also need a court order, no one can enter your home regarding debt if not first obtained a court order to do so.

Indeed - but as they are court appointed, it is very unlikely they will arrive at someone's door without a court order.

Mark

Benny1978

Thanks for the advice, esp FH Brit.

It’s all still in the early stages of the IC dealing with it. Fingers crossed it will proceed without problem.

Just a bit of a shock to have had the hospital say they will inform the IC, only to find they didn’t and are now chasing bills.

Benny