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Laeek t1_itrt78m wrote

>a itemized receipt to see everything I am paying for an they refused - said it was a HIPAA violation and to contact my insurance company for a further look on a receipt

This is correct. They're not the billing department of your healthcare provider, they're a debt collector. They have no idea what specific services you received that led to the debt, all they know is that it exists and that they own it. You should want your provider to not provide your medical history to a random 3rd party.

You can ask for proof of the debt (which is not necessarily an itemized list of costs) and verification that they are legally entitled to collect it. If they cannot provide that then they cannot collect. You can offer to settle for a lesser amount. You can ignore it and hope they don't bring you to court. Medical debt sometimes doesn't affect your credit rating as of this past July although I'm not up to speed on the specifics of that.

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Calliope719 t1_itsb1yn wrote

>You can offer to settle for a lesser amount.

Don't do this, or make any payments, until you've gotten proof you owe the debt. Starting payments can put you on the hook for the rest whether you owe it or not.

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Starboard_Pete t1_itsgo0b wrote

Seconding this. Years ago, my husband (driving a 12-year-old Prius) was in an accident with an $85k Audi. He was at fault, rear-ended the guy at a low speed during a rolling stop. Even though the Audi guy told him not to worry and that it was ok, he was ok, it was just a scratch, and drove off, he proceeded to claim that his car was near totaled and began repairs to try to get to replacement cost. He also claimed whiplash.

We got an itemized bill through the insurance company and found out he had his scratched Audi towed six times, and charged everything from a new bumper, new paint job, to new front windshield wipers towards the “totaling.” His insurance claimed a “ripple effect” meant all of these repairs were needed.

We refused to pay for 2.5 years, until the other party agreed to mediation, and whipped out the itemized bill immediately which reduced our “owed” debt astronomically. We settled at $12k-ish damage. Still a ton, but manageable. The alternative would have ruined us financially for good.

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Candygramformrmongo t1_itth0gm wrote

Did you not have insurance?

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Starboard_Pete t1_itu78ac wrote

We did, and they were pretty useless throughout the process, suggesting several times that we settle for a higher figure. We switched insurance companies afterward.

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Candygramformrmongo t1_ituyf1v wrote

I guess I don't understand. Your insurance should have provided coverage and paid this.

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gulfofmainah t1_itvj2gm wrote

I mean I’ve never had a honest experience with a auto insurance company they get really serious if your late to pay them but don’t mind at all making you wait for claims, it’s really one of the most corrupt rackets going.

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Appropriate_Toe_2770 OP t1_itstdo0 wrote

Thank you. You provided the answer by asking for proof of debt.

He threw an encounter date at me - would I then just act like it wasn’t me?

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