NWR: Where's My Lawyers?

Hi Girls,

I know there are a bunch of you lawyers out there, and I have a legal question for you.

To make a very long story (as in, more than a year and a half in the making) short, I was wondering if a medical collections agency has the same effect on your credit score as a regular bill collecting agency.

Basically, a year and a half ago, I went to a doctor, who billed me for an invasive surgical procedure that he never performed on me. I've been going back and forth with the office (and the medical collections agency) since then, and nothing has been resolved. Being that this appointment was over a year and a half ago, I just want this whole thing to be over. Before I go out and hire a lawyer to dispute my $193 bill, I want to see if it's even worth it. And yes, I know it will cost WAY more than $193 to hire a lawyer... but I'd rather pay a lawyer a million dollars than pay this crook $193.

If I do not pay this $193 bill (which under no circumstances whatsoever will I pay, since it is a fraudulent charge and I am so disgusted that a doctor would do this), will it somehow show up on my credit history? I have excellent credit-- I've never even paid one late charge on my credit card bill-- and I don't want this one incident by an unethical doctor to effect my credit negatively.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP! Feel free to FM me if you'd rather talk that way.

I am not a lawyer.

My mom is a nurse and has worked at various doctor's offices over the years. Once your bill goes to medical collections, the issue will show up whenever you try to apply for a car loan or mortgage or other big loan. It won't go away until you 'resolve' it (however that may be)

I'm not a lawyer-but here's a thought

Is it on your credit report yet? If it is you can take it up with the credit bureau. I had a similar instance where an attorney's office had me as someone else and the credit bureau investigated it for me and resolved it. You may not need a lawyer.

Yikes, I don't blame you for not wanting to pay this, but it may not be worth ruining your good credit.

I wish you luck.

I'm a lawyer and handle med malpractice. My advice, since the procedure was never performed, you can file a complaint. This will force the Dr. to resolve this issue. Arguably, the Dr is unaware of the discrepancy and this matter is being handled by admin.

www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/healthinfo/complaint.htm

Call
Professional Medical Conduct Complaints - 1-800-663-6114


Good luck

worst case, threaten to go to the public eye and report what is going on... News papers and stations love that stuff! It's one way to get them to stop doing something wrong... it's a cheap method and worth a try if you are not getting anywhere...

They may threaten back to sue for slander or something like that, but the truth is the truth, not slander... but the threat will get their attention...