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I really probably should talk to a lawyer, but...
I've seen this doctor for the past ten years. He's a small practice - the only practitioner there. We have always had a great patient-Doctor relationship. I've recommended him to dozens of friends, even giving out his card at the law office I used to work at, and endorsed him on a local FB page.
I saw him in July for three visits. My insurance, which has been the same for basically ever, always covered visits.
In September, I found out that my claim was denied because my deductible wasn't met, even though that never mattered before. I found out because I received a bill in the mail. He even only charged me for two visits, which was super nice.
Before I got a chance to pay this bill, I ended up giving birth. I had a lot of complications afterwards, couldn't drive or even get out of bed for a few weeks, and didn't get around to paying the bill. In early December he called and asked if I got the bill. I said I had...but after the complications, I had a lot of unexpected expenses, more bills for tests, copays and uncovered medication costs, I couldn't work for longer than I expected...it was also right before Christmas when he called, so I figured that I'd pay in January when businesses were running again, I could get to the bank, whatever. I have a lot of med bills, there's always a big grace period, etc.
In early January he called again. He was EXTEMELY nasty on the phone. I apologized and told him, honestly, it slipped my mind, it was hard to get to the bank with two small kids, I'd be sure to get him a check ASAP. I did really want to pay him quickly, I respected him as a doctor, would have liked to continue using him, and appreciated him lowering my bill in the first place. He was really really rude and even threatening on the phone, but I brushed it off thinking maybe he was having a bad day or a lot of people were behind on payments, whatever.
I did in fact write out a check, but before I was able to send it, my mother told me this doctor called her multiple times leaving extremely nasty and threatening voicemails regarding my late payment. I'm assuming he got her number from an emergency contact form, but is this at all legal?!? I'm pretty sure he shouldn't even be disclosing that I'm a patient of his, much less that I owe him money and what I was there for.
I don't know if I should just report this as a HIPAA violation, or call him and let him know he's violating it and to stop calling me and my family up to 6 times a day to leave nasty voicemails? I'm also pretty certain doctors aren't supposed to call about late medical bills like that, either. I feel bad I didn't pay on time, but it was an unexpected bill at a really rough time (not just financially)..and I'm pretty sure what he's doing is illegal.
I've seen this doctor for the past ten years. He's a small practice - the only practitioner there. We have always had a great patient-Doctor relationship. I've recommended him to dozens of friends, even giving out his card at the law office I used to work at, and endorsed him on a local FB page.
I saw him in July for three visits. My insurance, which has been the same for basically ever, always covered visits.
In September, I found out that my claim was denied because my deductible wasn't met, even though that never mattered before. I found out because I received a bill in the mail. He even only charged me for two visits, which was super nice.
Before I got a chance to pay this bill, I ended up giving birth. I had a lot of complications afterwards, couldn't drive or even get out of bed for a few weeks, and didn't get around to paying the bill. In early December he called and asked if I got the bill. I said I had...but after the complications, I had a lot of unexpected expenses, more bills for tests, copays and uncovered medication costs, I couldn't work for longer than I expected...it was also right before Christmas when he called, so I figured that I'd pay in January when businesses were running again, I could get to the bank, whatever. I have a lot of med bills, there's always a big grace period, etc.
In early January he called again. He was EXTEMELY nasty on the phone. I apologized and told him, honestly, it slipped my mind, it was hard to get to the bank with two small kids, I'd be sure to get him a check ASAP. I did really want to pay him quickly, I respected him as a doctor, would have liked to continue using him, and appreciated him lowering my bill in the first place. He was really really rude and even threatening on the phone, but I brushed it off thinking maybe he was having a bad day or a lot of people were behind on payments, whatever.
I did in fact write out a check, but before I was able to send it, my mother told me this doctor called her multiple times leaving extremely nasty and threatening voicemails regarding my late payment. I'm assuming he got her number from an emergency contact form, but is this at all legal?!? I'm pretty sure he shouldn't even be disclosing that I'm a patient of his, much less that I owe him money and what I was there for.
I don't know if I should just report this as a HIPAA violation, or call him and let him know he's violating it and to stop calling me and my family up to 6 times a day to leave nasty voicemails? I'm also pretty certain doctors aren't supposed to call about late medical bills like that, either. I feel bad I didn't pay on time, but it was an unexpected bill at a really rough time (not just financially)..and I'm pretty sure what he's doing is illegal.