Consumer complaint received 2016-02-29
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Communication tactics — Used obscene/profane/abusive language
Company: Prince Parker & Associates (NC)

On Wednesday, XXXX XXXX, I contacted Prince-Parker & Associates regarding a statement I received from their office dated XXXX XXXX, 2016. The account number they reference is XXXX. 
I explained to XXXX XXXX I had contacted the doctor 's office and disputed the amount my husband was billed. She stated the account was no longer in their office and his credit has been impacted. 
As the XXXX communication was the first communication we have received from Prince-Parker & Associates, I began to ask when the account was assigned to their office and when collection activities occurred, she became very belligerent. XXXX XXXX responded like a child that had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. When I stated this is the first notification we had received, she stated the account was received on XXXX XXXX and it did n't matter as we had been billed by the doctor. She stated I will just mark you down as refusing to pay and terminated the call. 
I DID NOT refuse to pay. I did say I could not settle the outstanding balance of {$970.00}. I was calling to discuss settling the balance as I do n't feel that I owe the entire amount. 
I was not given the opportunity to explain the following which I think is very important in how as consumers we feel we are forced into a procedure and mislead with the cost. 
My husband was experiencing XXXX and visited XXXX XXXX for treatment. XXXX XXXX would not treat him until he performed a XXXX as his last XXXX was due in 5 years and he had not returned for a screening. My husband agreed to schedule and when checking out the receptionist stated I have good news and bad news. You only need to bring {$25.00} copay with you but it will be XXXX XXXX before there is an opening. 
The XXXX was scheduled and XXXX XXXX stated there was no signs of active XXXX or any other concerns. He did not prescribe any medications. Several weeks later, we received a bill for {$840.00}. I called and talked to the office manager who stated they only provide an estimate and it 's the patient 's responsibility to call the insurance company. She stated the documentation they provide is very clear that it is only an estimate. 
I 'm quite certain the front office made a mistake and quoted the cost of a XXXX. Then when they filed the claim with the insurance company it was filed as a XXXX which significantly increases the cost. The original quote was a gross error on their part but one they protect themselves by the paperwork they provide to patients. 
I paid the {$25.00} payment that I felt we owed for the screening. 
Here 's why we feel we have not been treated fairly as consumers. 
First the doctor would not treat my husband until he had a XXXX His office grossly understated the cost of the procedure The results of the XXXX prove we were forced into a XXXX. The XXXX reflected no signs of any issues and the doctor stating all the foods he advised my husband to avoid in the past was no longer valid. 
So why was a XXXX filed with the insurance company? I know the doctor 's office collects more money from my insurance company and the patient also pays more. Nice little racket here to make money.