Another Blind Collections Call

Last week, I had a voice mail message, a prerecorded message asking me to call a "patient accounts billing office."

I had another message today, again asking me to call the "patient accounts billing office," without telling me the name of the hospital or other provider that is calling me. It may not be the provider at all--it could well be a collections agency. (I'm more suspicious after watching "Maxed Out," which shows some of the dirty tricks collection agencies use.)

I did write down the number though: 1-866-365-2211. Anyone want to give them a call and find out who it is?

As far as I know, I don't have any unpaid medical bills. I do have one bill from Swedish cancer center I need to sort out, because the date of service on the bill is not correct. I'm going to double-check it with my insurance, WSHIP, and then send Swedish a letter, telling them that it is fraud to send a bill with the wrong date of service. And maybe I'll CC the letter to the Better Business Bureau--do hospitals fall under their umbrella?

See:

Here's a New One: The Blind Billing Call

'Maxed Out'

@ Jeanne Sather 2008.

Comments

[Deb]

Wow...I just got a bill from Swedish for "ongoing outpatient care" and the supposed date of service. Turns out it was a bill for a whole MONTH of treatment. I told them send me an itemized bill if you want my money. Sheesh!

[jeanne]

The bill I have doesn't say what it is for, and the date of service is sometime last summer--when I had met my out-of-pocket max (I always meet it in January, actually)--so I can't owe it. They are a preferred provider with my plan. But this means at least one phone call, and one letter.

I've never heard of sending a bill for the whole month--that's a new one.

[jeanne]

Oh, wait, I forgot, Swedish once sent me a bill for my oncologist, with a date of service when I knew I hadn't seen her. When I asked about it, they said she must have reviewed my chart on that date!

[marie]

I googled the number. It does appear to be Swedish.
This thread is interesting.
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-425-988-6412

[Ginger]

I just called this number and they say they do billing for Swedish, Providence and a few more hospitals. I have a bill at Providence. I gave them my phone #, they asked for date of birth and I told them NO since I didn't know who they were. I told them if this bill is a problem(I have been making good payments) then to give me a live call! They hung up. Still not sure it's not a scam to get information. OUr phone is listed so of couse they will know who they called. Probably some public record somewhere of my husband's surgery.

[Ginger]

Just got off the phone with the real person I called at Sacred Heart. She said this is the real billing call. I asked why it was so scammy sounding and she said due to the HIPPA thing they can't say who they are? Boy oh boy! So any folks, that 866 number is for real. But I would suggest calling the institute the bill is owed at yourself after their canned call.