Lawquestion4729
New Member
Firstly, I thought it was illegal (At least in the state of PA) to damage a persons Credit for issues related to Medical Bills. In 2004 I went to the emergency room. My insurance card showed my financial obligation for an Emergency Room Visit was $50.00. I paid my $50.00 obligation. After the hospital submitted the original ER bill to my insurance, the hospital then submitted an additional bill for $300.00 to my insurance company (For the Radiologist who reviewed the X-rays taken during my ER visit). My Insurance Co. refused to pay it, indicating it was a duplicate and Fraudulent bill. The hospital then sent ME the bill, which I refused to pay stating my financial obligation of $50 for an ER visit had been satisfied. It then went to a collection agency, then to my Credit Report in 2006 as an unpaid Collection which devastated my pristine credit.
I wrote a VERY detailed dispute letter to Equifax (Following their dispute process), stressing the fact that my financial obligation for an ER visit was $50. I told them that the hospital charging me an additional $300 for that visit, was illegal and contrary to the Contract that the hospital negotiated with my Insurance Company (Aetna) for Emergency Room visits. Equifax allegedly performed an investigation, and curiously did not contact me. Their response was that the debt is legal....period. I know this a debt I do not owe, but it has dropped my FICO score from 803 to 722. I take my Credit very seriously, and have never had a late payment my entire life. Any suggestions on what my next move should be would be greatly appreciated.
I wrote a VERY detailed dispute letter to Equifax (Following their dispute process), stressing the fact that my financial obligation for an ER visit was $50. I told them that the hospital charging me an additional $300 for that visit, was illegal and contrary to the Contract that the hospital negotiated with my Insurance Company (Aetna) for Emergency Room visits. Equifax allegedly performed an investigation, and curiously did not contact me. Their response was that the debt is legal....period. I know this a debt I do not owe, but it has dropped my FICO score from 803 to 722. I take my Credit very seriously, and have never had a late payment my entire life. Any suggestions on what my next move should be would be greatly appreciated.