Paid the vet hospital bill - now they're asking for more

Sunnyfields · 9 April at 1:43PM

Our little dog had to be admitted to a veterinary hospital just over two weeks ago, where sadly he passed away.
The hospital asked for payment before we left the premises so I settled the account there and then.
Before we had even got home with him, they'd sent an email asking for an additional £150+ for treatment which hadn't been included in the original bill.
They've followed up with several emails, texts and even by letter asking for this additional payment.
I wasn't impressed with the care provided but leaving that aside, I believe the account I paid at the hospital was a full and final settlement and that the extra costs demanded need not be paid.
Is that correct and is there legislation which covers this situation?
Thanks in advance.

Penguin_ · 9 April at 1:44PM

Is the treatment they're chasing payment for, listed on the original invoice?

Sunnyfields · 9 April at 4:05PM

Thanks for the quick response.
Considering the circumstances at the time, I asked for the invoice to be emailed (rather than stand waiting for it to be printed), which of course has had the additional £150+ added.
However the email also contained the following sentence
'I apologise but after you paid the £xxxx.xx the nurses upstairs in wards have added something onto your file so there is now £150+ outstanding'
So my stance is that's not my problem.
Be interested in your take on this.

Penguin_ · 10 April at 8:35AM

So the invoices I get from my vets show treatments & medication on individual lines & separate costs. If that £150 is on the invoice & forms part of the total you paid then you can point that out to them. However, if it isn't then you will have to pay.

Whilst you may have asked for the £150 to be added, sometimes these things happen & they can be missed off. They have alerted you almost as soon as you left the surgery.

Sunnyfields · 11 April at 11:06AM

Like your experience that is what normally happens at my vets. They tell you how the bill is, you pay it and they email an invoice/receipt/.

Sorry I think I've not have explained the situation very well.

The same procedure happened at the hospital. They told me how much, I paid that amount, left (without a printed receipt but with the promise of an emailed one) and then they realised their mistake so sent an invoice/receipt asking for an extra £150.

My argument is I settled the amount asked for when leaving the hospital and am not liable to pay the requested additional amount of £150.

I see it as similar to buying something which costs, say £2000 which I pay, then leave, then am asked for an additional £150. Would that be payable? I'd be inclined to say no.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Penguin_ · 11 April at 11:10AM

I mean it's obviously an error on their part, if they pursue you for it I do think you will be liable.

Would you be so final if it was the other way around & they charged you an extra £150?

lincroft1710 · 1 May at 6:24PM

If the hospital in error failed to charge you for some of the treatment, in law they have up to 6 years to send an invoice. So if the extra charge was fair and reasonable I think you may well be liable.

sheramber · 2 May at 8:36PM

The OP didn’t get the answer they wanted so have not been back.

Murphybear · 22 June at 12:29PM

We have an excellent vet. When you take your pet in for what the vet calls “final services” they don’t need to be paid there and then, they send an invoice. I suspect they don’t get many non payers or they wouldn’t do that. They usually send a card commiserating and saying you have made the right decision. Good vets are worth their weight in gold