Consumer complaint received 2023-03-02
Company: Ray Klein, Inc.
State: OR
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I presented to the emergency room at XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX Washington after premature XXXX of my XXXX XXXX. I was subsequently admitted to XXXX XXXX XXXX that day. From that date forward, I was present at XXXX XXXX XXXX until an XXXX XXXX was performed on XX/XX/XXXX when my son was delivered. I spent a total of 20 days at XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX ) and my son spent a total of 25 days at XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX ) and together we racked up a total of {$210000.00}. During this lengthy encounter I was covered by two insurance companies XXXX XXXX through my partners work, and I was also covered by Oregon XXXX. All the providers that came to speak with us during our stay, or presumed to be involved in our care were employed at XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

The following summer, after we were discharged from the hospital, I received a call from an unfamiliar number with the person on the other end telling me that I had an unpaid bill. The individual was not from XXXX  XXXX XXXX, they were from XXXX XXXX XXXX - a clinic I had never heard about in my life until that call. I declined to verify my information with the caller because I had never done business with XXXX XXXX XXXX, never heard about the clinic and until I googled them, had no idea who they were I thought it was a fraudulent/scammer call. I immediately called XXXX XXXX XXXX because I felt unsafe and anxious. XXXX XXXX XXXX advised that all my bills were settled and I had nothing outstanding. I then called XXXX XXXX to ask if they had denied any claims submitted on my behalf, because in my head a bill could only stem from a denied claim and I would now be responsible for the balance. XXXX XXXX reassured me that they did not deny any claims that were presented to them all bills were paid. I decided to call XXXX  XXXX XXXX from a number that was on the web ( feeling this would be safer than calling back the number that called me ). They verified the bill, but stated they could not provide any chart notes or documentation to explain the extent of their providers involvement in my care on XX/XX/XXXX. I thought this was strange. If a medical professional provides care, there should be some documentation of their involvement, otherwise that encounter did not happen. According to the medical records personnel, they have no medical records for me at XXXX XXXX XXXX. At that time, I did not ask for the name of a supposed provider, because after that phone call I was absolutely sure it was fraud. Furthermore, the bills from the hospital with which I was involved were paid off, so either someone made a mistake or this was not legit. 

The calls stopped. I forgot about the whole thing and moved on with my life. 

In Fall XXXX, I started getting threatening mail from a law office in XXXX XXXX where I now live. There were threats that I would be taken to court or have my wages garnished due to money I owed to a person I didnt recognize. I googled the name and discovered that it belonged to someone from a debt collection agency in XXXX, OR. In my head, I didnt have any debt that I know of, so I threw out both letters thinking it was probably scammers or something to that effect. Later that Winter, a random guy dropped off an envelope with someone I paid to shovel snow from my driveway. I did not open the envelope. I was scared that maybe someone was trying to harm our family. I threw it out. My partner encouraged me to call the police, but I didnt want to deal with it. I figured it would blow over, but we were definitely on edge for a few months ( especially with being a minority in our neighborhood ). Now when I think back, I wonder if maybe that person was attempting to serve a notice of some sort. However, nothing further happened after that. 

Earlier this year, XXXX, I reviewed my credit report. Something I do regularly because I like to stay on top of my finances. I was surprised to find a collection on my report. Again, this XXXX XXXX place was popping back into the picture. I disputed the account with XXXX ( the only bureau with the collection reported at the time ). The dispute was resolved stating that the account was legit and belonged to me. It will remain on my credit report. 

The outcome of the dispute prompted me to call the collection agency ( Professional Credit ) to gather more data. The collection agency was able to tell me that I was being billed for the date of service XX/XX/XXXX. I told them that could not be, because I was at XXXX XXXX XXXX that day and could not have been in both places at once. I told them I would reach out to XXXX  XXXX XXXX again to try and get more clarification on this account, because it was all just odd. The collection agent told me that calling XXXX XXXX XXXX would be futile because Professional Credit now has responsibility of the account. 

Regardless, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX. They still could not find medical records for me, but was able to tell me that a XXXX XXXX XXXX was involved in my care They report that XXXX XXXX was present during my XXXX. When asked if the large sum of money that was paid out from my insurance to XXXX XXXX XXXX covered XXXX XXXX, the agent stated, No. XXXX  XXXX XXXX prepares a separate bill for his services. Further questioning revealed that XXXX XXXX XXXX did not bill both my insurance companies for the service on XX/XX/XXXX. They billed XXXX and XXXX denied the claim stating that I have other insurance coverage. No one ever informed me of these events, neither XXXX nor XXXX  XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX is now saying that it is too late to bill my insurance because the date of service is too far in the past. Not only are they now demanding that I pay for their service ( {$580.00} ), but the agent also let me know that I am responsible for paying the collection agency as well for whatever fees they have incurred ( $ XXXX ). 

As a patient, I feel like I am being dragged through the mud for something that was originally due to an error by XXXX XXXX XXXX and from lack of clear communication to begin with. If someone had fully explained the intricacies of what was going on and what information was missing, this could have been easily resolved. All they needed was the insurance information for my second insurance. Now, as a result of various errors and an unrelenting effort to gain {$580.00}, XXXX XXXX XXXX has ruined my credit, my ability to secure a loan to repair my house, and possibly student loan repayment opportunities as well. Extremely frustrating.

Company public response: Company believes the complaint provided an opportunity to answer consumer's questions
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation