Consumer complaint received 2019-10-10
Company: WAKEFIELD & ASSOCIATES, INC.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter from Wakefield & Associates informing me this account has been listed with this office for collection and will be sent to the reporting agencies if not paid. I called the office and spoke with XXXX disputing the validity of this debt. This letter is written confirmation of my dispute. 

On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX sent a letter to Wakefield & Associates via XXXX   disputing the charges. 
This is a DOL/OWCP claim. Per Federal Regulation, the Provider is to submit the bill to DOL/OWCP for payment. In this case the Provider submitted the bill but used the incorrect IDC codes so DOL denied payment. Instead of correcting the codes, as requested multiple times, the Provider turned the bill over to Wakefield & Associates for collection thereby violating Federal Law. 
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Chapter 1 - excerpts 10.801 How are medical bills to be submitted? 
( c ) For professional charges billed on Form XXXX or XXXX, the provider shall also state each diagnosed condition and furnish the corresponding diagnostic code using the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification ( XXXX ), or as revised. 
( d ) By submitting a bill and/or accepting payment, the provider signifies that the service for which reimbursement is sought was performed as described, necessary, appropriate and properly billed in accordance with accepted industry standards. For example, accepted industry standards preclude upcoding billed services for extended medical appointments when the employee actually had a brief routine appointment, or charging for the services of a professional when a paraprofessional or aide performed the service ; industry standards prohibit unbundling services to charge separately for services that should be billed as a single charge. In addition, the provider thereby agrees to comply with all regulations set forth in this subpart concerning the rendering of treatment and/or the process for seeking reimbursement for medical services, including the limitation imposed on the amount to be paid for such services. 
On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX I sent a letter via certified mail to XXXX XXXX, and others, explaining exactly how to file for a medical claim with DOL. I did this as a courtesy. They did not comply and, against federal law, they turned my account over to Wakefiled & Associates for collections over a year later. 

On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX received a letter from Wakefield & Associates stating : Please be advised that we have contacted our client who has confirmed the name and address listed o the account as well as the amount owed. Enclosed are billing statements provided by our client that confirm the charges. 

On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX sent a letter to XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX informing them to file the claim correctly. 

On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX sent a letter to XXXX XXXX informing him to file the medical claim correctly. 
On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX the above letter was sent to Wakefield & Associates. 

0n XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Wakefield & Associates called to secure payment of the bill. Informed them, again that this bill is NOT owed by me and they must stop attempting to collect this bill.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation