Doctor/Medical Bill Question

[Stilltheone]

Ok, so when I filed bankruptcy, I had an outstanding bill of $600 with my OB/GYN. My lawyer suggested that if I wanted to keep my doctor, that I pay them off.

After filing, I called my OB's office and told them I had filed, but that I wanted to continue to make monthly payments to them. I explained that I loved my dr. and didn't want to be dropped as a patient. The billing specialist I talked to said I would never be dropped as a patient, even if I filed bk and included them.

Since calling them, I have not been able to make any payments and don't think I can pay on this account. I wrote a letter to my ob's office and explained to them my situation. I have even seen my dr. inbetween my filing and now and told her we had to file.

Here's my question...Since I won't be paying this account off, what are my chances of not being dropped as a patient? Anyone have any experience?

[AngelinaCatHub]

Put it this way 'Stilltheone', the Hypocratic Oath is an honorable promise. If your Dr. drops you for money, then you needed a new Dr. anyway. Most professionals know that they will not always get paid. Also, you can pay on account even five bucks (good faith) payments every visit, or more if you can afford. Be up front with her and quit worrying or your next Dr. could be a shrink. 'Hub

[Frogge]

My husband was dropped as a patient at a dr we had for a long time because of an outstanding BILL that we forgot about and they wouldn't let him come back, EVER. That was their policy. I, however was able to go there, but of course we changed drs.

Since they told you they would keep you, I would try taking the payment directly to the drs office maybe? Is the billing done in-house?

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

If you have a good doctor, try to pay him or her - even if it is a few dollars a month, but as much as possible. Your health is too important!!

My daughter had a doctor who dropped her. She had made an appointment, taken off work to go there and the assistant said she owed a back bill and they could not see her till it was paid!! Well, she didn't have the money to pay it and couldn't - and it should have been covered by her insurance. She went out to the parking lot and called me, in tears - - I was 100's of miles away. I made her go back in and asked to talk to the doctor (also my doctor) myself. Apparently the asistant had gone back to cover his butt and had told the doc that I or my daughter had cussed him out (NOT even remotely true) - but for some reason she believed him and dropped us both! I know there was another patient with my same name - maybe that person had been troublesome - cause I had always had a good relationship with her (although short time - only about 6 months). Anyway -- my daughter had to find another doctor and take more time off work the next day!

The "bill" in question had actually been paid by my daughter's insurance, but someone in billing had dropped the ball and it did not show up as paid for a while - but had been paid weeks previous to the appt.

I could not believe they made an appointment - a week in advance and then refused treatment based on that - and it even turned out to be paid!!!

Same doctor had to look it up in a book when my daughter got chicken pox, cause she didn't know what it was - I had to tell her!!!

Sometimes God just works it out for ya I guess!

I filed a complaint with the state medical board later, but it went nowhere, really (although that doctor had left the state now).

Anyway - pay the doctor if you want to remain a patient - keep a good relationship.

Just my opinion....

[Filedat22]

I got dropped by my ob/gyn while I was 4.5 months pregnant for an unpaid bill.

[Flamingo]

Most doctors or dentists will not see you again if you have an outstanding unpaid bill with them and will tell you that unless you pay them in full. In the OP's situation, you have a marvelous doctor but you don't want to take advantage of the situation. I would send something in or take it in whenever you can to pay toward that bill. While the billing clerk mentioned to you that you would never be dropped as a patient if you filed BK and included them, since you did not include them you still have that $600 sitting in your account unpaid and what will happen when you need to show up for your next visit even if it is a while from now? What they state to you does not mean they will not go after you for payment in the future of any outstanding balance.

Your doctor's office is a business and they have to cover that balance in their books somehow; since you know your doctor well I would try to have a personal conversation with him and/or send a letter to him and get some sort of response in writing concerning that amount. Otherwise, months from now the billing clerk may be a different person and you will have a collection agency calling you for payment.

[Stilltheone]

Most doctors or dentists will not see you again if you have an outstanding unpaid bill with them and will tell you that unless you pay them in full. In the OP's situation, you have a marvelous doctor but you don't want to take advantage of the situation. I would send something in or take it in whenever you can to pay toward that bill. While the billing clerk mentioned to you that you would never be dropped as a patient if you filed BK and included them, since you did not include them you still have that $600 sitting in your account unpaid and what will happen when you need to show up for your next visit even if it is a while from now? What they state to you does not mean they will not go after you for payment in the future of any outstanding balance.

Your doctor's office is a business and they have to cover that balance in their books somehow; since you know your doctor well I would try to have a personal conversation with him and/or send a letter to him and get some sort of response in writing concerning that amount. Otherwise, months from now the billing clerk may be a different person and you will have a collection agency calling you for payment.

That's the thing...I DID include them in my bankruptcy filing...but later called and told them I was going to make monthly payments instead. Since calling them, I really have no money to give to them to make monthly payments.

I was just there in April for my annual appt. and explained to my doctor that we filed bankruptcy. She felt bad and said she was sorry to hear that. I didn't think to bring up my bill with her at the time.

I'm going to call their billing dept and see what they say!

[Phillymanhere]

First of all, the doctor's billing specialist gave you her view that you would not be dropped, right? ... Why not proceed on those grounds? ....

Second, if you can't pay, you can't pay. That's one of the most important things I've been learning through this process: I need to face up to my financial limits, quickly and honorably, without shame. I think the rosy scenario thing is something that haunts a lot of us bk filers. We overcommit and make promises we can't keep, and this adds to us stress, takes a toll on our self respect and pushes us back into foolish patterns, etc.

This may be a good opportunity for you to practice direct, honorable truth telling. You might wanna head to the doctor's office in person, tell them exactly what the situation is. "Look, I am sorry, but I cannot pay you guys and I don't think my situation will change in a long time. I wanted to, but I can't pay. But I would like to continue to come here. I love the doctor and this office. Can I continue coming?" ...

Just put it out there. You'll get an answer one way or the other. But strange as it seems, it is honorable to tell the truth on these matters. And this helps the truth-teller escape all this yin-yang-anxiety-worry-guilt-fear stuff.

good luck.

[Stilltheone]

I called the doctor's office this morning and the billing specialist said that if I filed bankruptcy, I would NOT be dropped as a patient. She also said that she didn't have our bankruptcy on record. I told her I would call her back, after pulling my paperwork.

Well, lo and behold, I looked at our paperwork and it's not on there. It was on the original paperwork we signed, but my lawyer removed it b/c I stated I wanted to pay them back.

I called the doctor's office back and apologized b/c I really thought my account was on there. She said that she could start me off at $25/month until it's paid off. I can handle that!!

So, I feel better that I get to pay my doctor off b/c I really didn't want to "stiff" her.

[sahaley]

Thanks for that question - I have a very similar situation - owed my obgyn and included it in my bk. I called the office recently about getting my rx and there was no mention of owed $. I do feel bad that I cannot pay but I can't - that's why I filed for bk in the first place.... I guess I will find out next year when they send me my appt reminder.