Do I have to pay for a medical service if I never receive a proper bill?

Question

I visited a doctor's office for a check-up over a month ago. Later, I received a bill from my insurance company for the visit because the check-up was not covered under my plan. All the items on the bill that I was being charged for are correct, but the bill listed the wrong doctor's office! I called the insurance company telling them that I had never been a visitor to that doctor (which is the truth), though I didn't tell them that they made a clerical error. They're currently investigating the matter. I don't want this to hit my credit for a delinquent account, but if there's any way out of having to pay this bill I'd like to take it. Does anyone know if I should pay the bill (ethics aside) if the insurance company tells me that they made an error and can't figure it out? Would the original doctor's office notice if I never pay my bill?

Answer 1

Yes, of course the original provider will eventually come to you for the charges.  What happened here is someone at the insurer entered the incorrect provider account number into their system, which then rejected your reimbursement request.

It will only be a matter of time until the insurer corrects the error and re-submits the claim properly.  Meanwhile, you WILL be billed by the provider.

Answer 2

Ethics aside? Put on my "defraud the creditor" hat?

I'm fresh out of lies. Some folks think they can get what they don't pay for. A lot of them are in jail.

Answer 3

If the service was rendered - then you owe payment to the Dr that rendered the service.  A clerical error does not allow you to get free medical care. In essence - you are a thief. You are stealing from the Dr that treated you. It's the same as if you walked into a store and shop lifted. The only difference is the the Dr's product is a service not a physical object.

Call the Dr that treated you and make arrangements to pay them.  If the Dr office does not get payment from the insurance company they will come after you.

Stop being a crook and pay your bill.

Answer 4

You received the service, PAY THE BILL.

Why should my rates go up because you want a way out of something you owe?!?!?

The insurance company should not be billing you though - the doctor should.

Answer 5

Pay the bill.  Arent you glad that when you needed the doctor he didnt do everything he could do to get out of seeing you?