Consumer complaint received 2020-11-17
Company: CMRE Financial Services, Inc.
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I went to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) while traveling through XXXX, CA on XX/XX/XXXX. I wanted to get a XXXX  on my XXXX, which I had sustained the day before, checked out. At the front desk, I explained the problem, assuring the receptionist that this was not an emergency, that I was not actively bleeding, and that I just wanted to have someone look at the XXXX. I specifically asked about billing, knowing that I did not wish to pay for emergency services, and she told me that I would not be charged for an emergency room visit. Had that not been the case, I would not have continued seeking medical attention. 

I went to a back room. They took vitals, gave me a liquid bandaid, and told me it would not be a problem. They offered an antibiotic, which I refused. I was rushed through signing some papers, and then I left. 

I then received a bill in early XXXX, XXXX for {$1900.00}, most of which was thankfully covered by insurance, leaving my responsibility at {$260.00}. The bill charges me for Emergency Room services. 

I called the Colorado XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and requested an itemized bill, which I didnt receive until XX/XX/XXXX. The itemized bill shows 6 separate charges for my visit, including {$110.00} for XXXX, {$130.00} for a XXXX lXXXX XXXX, and {$460.00} for a XXXX XXXX. That is {$710.00} just for a dab of XXXX glue! I was also charged twice for an emergency visit, level 2, and I was charged for the antibiotic I refused when offered. 

I mailed a letter of dispute to XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I did not receive a response to this letter, other than a redundant copy of the itemized bill. 

I was then notified of a collection on my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX. I called XXXX  on XX/XX/XXXX, and after being transferred and hung up on multiple times, I finally got a hold of XXXX in billing, who told me there was no record of my letter of dispute on file ( which I find suspicious, because I did receive another copy of the itemized bill in response ). She told me to mail another copy. I pressed, and finally got an email address and a promise to confirm receipt of the electronic copy. I sent another copy of the letter of dispute, with an addendum, on XX/XX/XXXX, and I also sent an electronic copy. I did not get the promised confirmation of receipt. 

The next day, XX/XX/XXXX, I called the collections agency ( XXXX Financial Services ), and I asked them to place my account under dispute. To the best of my knowledge, they did so. My credit score did not change, however, and it dropped about 200 points from when that collection hit. 

I did, however, receive a letter from XXXX in the mail, dated XX/XX/XXXX. That letter said that they had received both my letters of dispute, and that they were not going to change their determination. The letter does seem to confirm that I was misled about the services I would receive : XXXX  apologizes you were misguided in you ( sic ) would not be charged for an emergency room service ... 

Ive been sitting on this for a few months, both because of the pandemic and because it is stressful to think about. I dont know what my next move should be. It doesnt seem like a self-evaluation by the clinic should be the last step in this dispute, but I dont know who to contact next. I dont want to be taken for a ride just because I was traveling through and I was seen as a target. Any assistance or direction you could provide would be a huge relief.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation