Consumer complaint received 2018-02-26
Company: TekCollect Inc.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
clearly indicate the nature of your complaint. Enclose copies of any records or supporting documentation you may have to support your complaint. ** Please note if we are unable to read your complaint, processing will be delayed. ** In XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX for some routine dental work. I initially spoke to XXXX XXXX and confirmed if they accepted my Insurance provided by XXXX XXXX. Upon confirmation, I scheduled my initial visit on or around XX/XX/XXXX. 

During my initial visit, XX/XX/XXXX, I paid the required amounts due as a part of my obligation. During this visit, I was attended to by XXXX XXXX, XXXX. During his prognosis, he laid out a treatment plan for the next few months. And I understood what needed to be done and agreed to schedule a follow-up visit. 

In the month of XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX to schedule the follow-up visit with XXXX XXXX. Now, I was very specific with XXXX XXXX that she contacts XXXX XXXX for any pre-authorization need to start the treatment plan. I was assured at the time, before starting any procedures, XXXX XXXX will attain all the necessary pre-authorization requests or approvals to avoid any future potential denial of claim by the Insurance Company. During each visit and a follow-up for the next visit, I made it a point to advice XXXX XXXX to contact XXXX and get authorization for the next planned procedure, and as always, she ensured that it will be taken care of. 

During the period of late XX/XX/XXXX thru XXXX, XXXX XXXX paid {$260.00} to XXXX XXXX . As a part of my obligation, I paid {$590.00}. XXXX XXXX was paid {$850.00} ( XXXX  ; XXXX XXXX ) In the month of XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX sent me a request for an additional payment of approx., {$450.00}. I immediately contacted XXXX XXXX and asked for an explanation for this new bill. XXXX XXXX advised me that XXXX XXXX had not paid them the full amount per their request, and hence they would like me to pay the difference. I advised XXXX XXXX that I would reach out to XXXX XXXX and find out the reason for not paying. 

In mid to late XXXX, upon speaking with XXXX XXXX , I was advised of the following ; 1.  XXXX XXXX had never ever contacted for any pre-authorization for any treatment they had provided ( this was contrary to what I was led to believe by XXXX XXXX ) 2. All claim requests submitted by XXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX, were paid to the benefit of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX provided me exact details for each claim submitted based on industry codes and the payments made thereof. After talking with XXXX XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX and apprised her of the conversation. She advised me that she will review the records and contact me with any further information. I did not hear back from XXXX XXXX and or XXXX XXXX. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX submitted the amount of {$450.00} to a collection agency ; TEK Collect out of XXXX, OH. The collection agency was provided an incomplete address, and because of that, I never received any correspondence from them. This was confirmed in a phone call to the collection agency on XX/XX/XXXX. After an extended conversation with the collection agency, I was advised that they would ask their client XXXX XXXX for supporting documentation for the claim amount of {$450.00}. I was further advised by TEK Collect, if within 30 days XXXX XXXX did not respond, they will cease any collection effort and remove the derogatory information form the Credit Bureau. On XX/XX/XXXX, TEK collect sent me the same information I had access to from XXXX XXXX, however, in this letter they failed to reflect supporting documents from the Insurance Company showing all the payments their client had received.

Resolution and request. Based on the facts and the provided documentation, I am hereby requesting that XXXX XXXX retract any collection efforts and send an updated letter stating that I am not under obligation to make any payments to their office. I also hereby request that the billing and accounting practices at XXXX XXXX be investigated, so that other patients in the future are not caught off guard and vulnerable to predatory practices from this institution and collection agencies. 

Because of misrepresentations made by XXXX XXXX, and deceptive business practices of XXXX XXXX, I have suffered a lower credit score which has caused undue stress, and led to paying higher interest rates for obtaining a home loan.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation