Consumer complaint received 2021-06-14
Company: Frost-Arnett Company
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I was in an accident rear ended on XX/XX/XXXX. My pain management doctor, XXXX  XXXX XXXX. XXXX, started billing my PIP through XXXX XXXX claim # XXXX. I had NO CHANGE from preexisting conditions or treatment. I never got even a single bill from the doctor, but when the PIP ran out they demanded money to be seen. They then placed the Illegal debt with Frost Arnett, who I called, and formally disputed this account. It has been over 60 days and they have not responded to the dispute, or addressed the dispute, or sent any mail whatsoever, but just did recently send the billings that XXXX XXXXXXXX Sent them. THEY ARE OUT OF TIME FOLLOWING A DISPUTE TO CONTINUE AND MUST CEASE. 
ATTACHED AND FOLLOWING HERE BELOW IS THE LETTER I SENT FROST ARNETT : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Florida XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX CL # XXXX claim # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TN XXXX Phone XXXX XXXX Frost Arnett account number www.frost-arnett.com XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Tennessee XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX I was rear ended. I filed a claim and went to the ER to get checked out. Shortly thereafter, upon my regular visit, I informed my XXXX XXXX  doctor, Dr. XXXX Office, about the accident, and gave them a release to get the ER information. I had minor XXXX XXXX, and apart from that, no new injuries. 
My doctors office began to bill my PIP through XXXX XXXXXXXX. I have been informed this PAYS MORE to the doctor for most procedures. I WAS NOT TREATED FOR ANY OF THE TEMPORARY DISCOMFORT IN MY XXXX. I got no procedures, no medication, no examinations beyond the initial cursory, brief examination in early XXXX. Further, at no time, to date, have I ever gotten a single billing, or notice of billing, or indication I had been getting billed, in any manner, either verbal, written, or electronic. For all purposes, and in all respects, my treatment through XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX in XXXX or XXXX XXXX, there was nothing to indicate that my treatment for my lower back and other issues, which were pre-existing and ongoing, had changed in any manner, shape, or form. 
In XXXX of XXXX I assume the PIP funds had run out, and was told that I would not be seen until over {$1200.00} was paid. I was not given or offered continuity of service and care. I was told I needed to talk to the office manager, and made multiple calls and left multiple messages about this situation, but was never called back. My account was handed off to a collection agency. I asked for copies of billing ( from Frost-Arnett ), which I have just gotten. I also asked for these documents from XXXX XXXXXXXX, which came much sooner. I had requested the documentation from XXXX XXXXXXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. It came within 10 days. I requested the same from Frost-Arnett, which has just come via email approaching 60 days after the request and initial dispute of this bill and account. This more than exceeds Frost Arnett fulfilling their duty to respond, in writing, to this dispute within 30 days, and exceeds the 15 day window following that date. Frost-Arnett has not verified the debt or addressed the dispute. 
Under the FDCPA I have the following rights : # 1. Right to notice of the debt. Frost-Arnett has not sent any mail or communication other than one email which was late. I contacted them after the client, my doctor, told me that was who would handle it. # 2. Right to contest the debt. I exercised this right MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AGO, and none of the merits of my dispute, clearly laid out to Frost-Arnett over 60 days ago, were addressed. # 3. Right to verify the debt Frost-Arnett has not verified the debt. They have not checked with XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX, nor addressed that the things that their client, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, billed XXXX XXXX  for under my PIP coverage had been and were PRE-EXISTING and that no change in my care or treatment had taken place subsequent to my claim with XXXX XXXX. Under the FDCPA Frost-Arnett has lost all legal right to pursue this matter. Frost-Arnett, and their client, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, are hereby notified that any negative credit reporting will be considered to be HARM and undue harassment and will be met with litigation for same, and it is my view that the billing of my PIP under XXXX XXXX is either an egregious mistake, gross negligence, or fraud. 
I demand that XXXX XXXX XXXX return all monies claimed under XXXX XXXX  PIP from XX/XX/XXXX forward be returned to XXXX XXXX forthwith, that all claims for any monies from this matter be withdrawn. As stated, as of this writing, I have not received not one single billing or notice of billing, or collection of said bill ( ings ) from any insurance agency, or XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX and Dr. XXXX, or Frost-Arnett. I certify that I did call Frost-Arnett about this matter the very day Dr. XXXX office told me that they had assigned it there and entered a dispute at that time, which is evidenced by the extremely late and out of time email containing the billings from XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX. In that email or PDFs the dispute itself is not addressed. 
I have also, again today, informed Frost-Arnett phone representatives as to the dispute and merits, and demands within, my dispute. I asked that agency for their legal department, for a Fax number or email address, and was directed to their website. It appears they can send emails late, but not receive emails through regular email logistics, or even send mail concerning this matter. 
I will authorize Frost-Arnett and/or XXXX XXXX to contact my providers, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, & XXXX XXXX to attain past billings that PROVE that all lumbar treatments and procedures were PRE-EXISTING AND SHOULD NOT have been submitted to the PIP coverage of The General, but should have gone to XXXX XXXX 
I have lost continuity of care and am in excessive pain because of this situation. I am also highly stressed out, can not sleep properly, and have lost enjoyment of life, my relations with my wife, and interactions with my child, due to the break in care and medication. I will be addressing this matter with my Primary Care Physician shortly, as XXXX said there is nothing they can do, and I am seeking the proper avenue to proceed on state regulatory levels. 


Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation