Just had to share.... the FDCPA rocks!

[moriah]

Okay, had to go to the ER in March. I have good insurance, I paid my $100 copay, and I thought all would be good.

However, there was a conflict between my insurance company and the ER doctor's billing service -- they bill separately from the hospital. Aetna swears up and down that the ER doctor's group is a contracted provider, so they paid them the negotiated amount. The ER doc's billing company says that they aren't under contract, and is demanding I pay the difference.

Aetna told me to forward the bills to them, which I did. Apparently, however, they were at an impasse, and the billing group sent the difference to a collection agency.

The agency wrote me, I contacted them immediately. Since their little announcement when you call says all calls may be recorded, I took them up on it, and recorded the conversation. I discussed the issue, explained that I was disputing the bill because my insurance is telling me it's not owed, and also explained that I worked nights, so I asked them to please not call me as it was inconvenient.

They called once, I wasn't mean to the person who called and woke me up, but I wrote and said again that I work nights, that phone calls were inconvenient, and disputed the debt formally under the FDCPA (it was still within 30 days from their first letter so I still had the right to dispute).

They wrote back, said their "research" showed the debt was valid, but didn't enclose any of their "research". And called me again. Twice.

So I faxed, FedExed, and emailed the company's president and vice-president a notice of my intent to sue them for their violations of the FDCPA and enclosed a settlement agreement. That was yesterday.

Today I got a call from their compliance department, and they are going to pay the amount of the alleged debt to their client as settlement for their violations.

:) :) :)

He asked if that would be sufficient, and I said "Yes, I do ask that you please put it in writing because I work in the computer industry, so I know that computers can make mistakes. I'd also like you to please try to work on a procedure so this doesn't happen to another person, because a lot of people would just have gone to a lawyer instead of trying to work it out with you -- it will be better for you and your client."

:bounce: :thumbsup:

[MrCoffee]

1. Well done!

:applause: