Cleveland Clinic Billing Hell

[Bill Hall]

Jennifer - Glad to hear about the happy ending. I know it took a lot of perserverence to get past this. You are terrific and I am happy for your (sort of) victory. I hope you found time to celebrate. Anyway, if I remember correctly, my problem only lasted 8 months, so this is twice as good (or bad). Anyway, you made me remember the joy I felt when I got past the insurance disaster. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Ross]

See sweety, I told you it would all work out but it would take a LONG time to do so. I fought with them and their collection agencies for just about the same amount of time. In the end, I was vindicated also.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Happy it worked out!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Jennifer-

I've been wondering how you are doing.

What a nightmare you've been through. I don't understand either, why these types of things have to be so extremely difficult. The billing departments in all hospitals know how to submit things to insurance companies properly, they know the ropes. Why isn't it done? Maybe it is because there is no accountability by any of the upper management and they don't keep an eye on what is going on in their departments, turning a blind eye on the problem, so they don't have to deal with it. And not admitting they have a problem within their department because it would reflect badly on them personally.

It couldn't have been a good thing for Cleveland to not get paid, especially since they caused the problem themselves. And it was a horrible experience for you.

I'm glad it's behind you.

Other than that, how have you been feeling?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I can't help but wonder if a letter (from you or a NASTY Attorney) informing Dr. Cosgrove that due to CC's ineptitude in handling your billing from him, the deadline for filing your insurance was fast approaching and you would SUE HIM if your insurance company denied payment because of missing the deadline.

It's a shame that 'cost control' puts such inept people in the billing departments!

'AL'

 

[Georgia]

A word from insurance woman

A word from insurance woman

First and foremost - dittos for keeping contact logs and copies of everybloomingthing sent to you.

Second - there is NOTHING insurance companies loathe more than department of insurance complaints. The people at the DOI are tenacious and arrogant and have a great deal of regulatory authority over the companies where billing and such are concerned (and the state departments gained a lot more authority due to recent supreme court action). So I say if your billing gets bogged down, don't hesitate to go the the state. They cut through the cr*p and get to people who have the authority to fix things. And it's a short cut to find out if it's the hospital or the insurer screwing things up!

Anyway, congrats on getting your bills paid. I have NEVER understood why seemingly all medical establishments choose to employ the lowest level employees with the least training as billing clerks. Don't you put your money where the money is??? Do they actually WANT bills paid 60 or 90 days later than possible? We're talking millions here, and they have minimum-wage untrained people - and too few of them - messing about with the bills. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

 

[Gail in Ca]

When it comes to insurance nightmares, I say "Never give up, never surrender!"

 

[Jennie]

Hi Jennifer!

I'm a little late viewing your update here, but I am really glad to hear this part of the fun is behind you! Hopefully life is going well otherwise, even better now! I am still playing phone tag with my insurance regarding my wire removal in April. I was approved as an outpatient but admitted as an inpatient but did not stay overnight. Just a bit of a mix-up, but it is being reviewed and I sure hope I can be re-billed as an outpatient....

Anyway, sorry I haven't been so much in touch! Been on travel for work, and just the usual. Will talk to you soon!

love
Jennie