Had a bill for hospital meeting I didn't know I'd be charged for. What should I do?

Mine'sAPintPlease

Had a consultation at a private hospital at the beginning of the year, having been referred by a GP. Nearly a year later a bill has turned up.

The GP nor the hospital indicated I'd be charged, or what the charge was, before, during or after the consultation.

Wasn't happy with the service either, as they appeared uninterested, and didn't provide further info as requested at the meeting.

What should I do?

Write a letter (is it lawful to charge for something without making you aware of the charge first?)
Go see a solicitor or the CAB
Pay the bill and chalk it up as a bad experience
Send it back as unknown at this address (as it's gone to a previous address)

It's over 100 quid - would they really call in a debt service for that amount?

Any advice or previous experience much appreciated.

soolin

The obvious question is why were you given a private referral, did you ask for it?

I'm not sure how much I am currently paying for my private care as it is being paid direct by the insurance company, but the last time i actually paid it was around £80 for a brief consultation, and as that was some years ago I suspect £100 to be about right.

Caroline73_2

Mine'sAPintPlease wrote: »

Had a consultation at a private hospital at the beginning of the year, having been referred by a GP. Nearly a year later a bill has turned up.

The GP nor the hospital indicated I'd be charged, or what the charge was, before, during or after the consultation.

Wasn't happy with the service either, as they appeared uninterested, and didn't provide further info as requested at the meeting.

What should I do?

Write a letter (is it lawful to charge for something without making you aware of the charge first?)
Go see a solicitor or the CAB
Pay the bill and chalk it up as a bad experience
Send it back as unknown at this address (as it's gone to a previous address)

It's over 100 quid - would they really call in a debt service for that amount?

Any advice or previous experience much appreciated.

Firstly you need to separate the two issues. If you felt the service was inadequate why leave it until now to complain about it.

Regarding the bill - Why were you referred to a private consultant and not on the NHS? Did the GP think you had private cover? Why didn't you question that you had been referred for a private consultation?

Your first stop is to ring the billing department and ask why you have been billed. Maybe it's an error and it can be solved with a phone call. To go jumping in with mention of solicitors or CAB is a bit premature.

Equaliser123

Yes they would call in debt collectors.

How could you go to a private hospital and not think you were going to be charged?

Sambucus_Nigra

A - have you got private health insurance?

B- if you have look at the terms and conditions

C - if you haven't - well - who was going to pay for it?

topbadger

You need to check whether you were given a private referral or not. There was a scheme where the NHS would send you to a private hospital for treatment; was this what happened to you? If so, then it could be an admin !!!!-up on the part of the hospital. So you need to check with your GP whether it was an NHS or private referral. If the former, you shouldn't be paying. If the latter, well, you owe them and they're perfectly entitled to chase you for the bill.

I'm not sure whether or not this scheme is still running, but it was great - my mum had both her knees replaced earlier this year in the local private hospital rather than in an NHS hospital, all paid for by the NHS. It was one way they were trying to get waiting lists down, by using private hospital capacity to expand the number of operations that could be done.

mountainofdebt

tbh I'm surprised that the private hospital didn't ask for details of your insurance details (if you have any) or alternatively your card / debit details, as this is what happened to me when I booked Junior's appointment earlier this year.

As for calling in a debt agency, then yes they would as we were threatened with this for non-payment of the consultation fee.....which I would have minded so much but we had paid a second after seeing the consultant!

heretolearn_2

I'd start with your GP. Did he make the referral for private treatment knowing you were going to have to pay? Why wasn't this explained.

But I'd be inclined to think it's one of those schemes where NHS patients get sent for private treatment to reduce waiting lists etc, and the hospital or GP has cocked up. Again, it's up to your GP to sort this out (did they do the paperwork right, for example).

soolin

Unfortunately until the OP logs in and answers some of the points raised I don't see what else we can say on this thread.

dmg24

I am guessing this is relevant:

Mine'sAPintPlease wrote: »

Thought I'd quickly add my experiences as it might be of help to somebody. I've been to see a specialist at a private hospital (Nuffield) who specialises in skin cancer. I have several moles I'm looking to have removed, and I suggested if the laser treatment was an option. They suggested it's not a good idea for removing moles at all as it's only removing the surface and all removed moles need to be checked by a pathologist. They also said a big 'no' to the creams and various other mole solutions you can find online.

My experience has been very easy so far and whilst I will have to pay probably a four figure sum, I see it as a wise investment in the long term.

So if you're concerned about a mole (or several in my case), I really would recommend going to see your GP at first, who will then probably refer you to a specialist as in my case.

OP, you seemed happy with the service at the time?

Apples2

So the OP requested a Private Consultation to discuss their own idea.

The Specialist poo poo'd the idea

Now the OP doesn't want to pay the bill.