rockcandy822
New Member
My jurisdiction is: California
I recently received a medical bill that showed a late fee of $50.00, and an Interest charge of $35.00. The insurance company was billed in July of 08 and sent me provider payment of 150.00, based on their calculations of what was covered. I set up a payment plan with the doctors office for $50.00 per month, after receiving my first bill 10/08. The first payment was sent in October and cashed by the office on November 17, 2008. The sent another bill, at the end of November, and was paid on 12/5. I recently received another bill dated 12/27, on January 16th, which again was promptly paid.
I addressed this with the doctors office and they said they were charging me the late fee because my insurance company sent me a payment and I did not send the full amount. There was no explanation for the interest charges. I sent a letter requesting a detailed breakdown of all charges, including how the interest was calculated. My question is what is the legal amount of interest I can be charged, and if they do not send bills regularly or apply payments in a timely fashion, how can they charge interest. Additionally, can they charge me a late fee if I have paid them as agreed? I have received 3 bills and all were paid on time. Is there a maximum interest rate in California for medical bills? I have uploaded my letter to the doctor.
I recently received a medical bill that showed a late fee of $50.00, and an Interest charge of $35.00. The insurance company was billed in July of 08 and sent me provider payment of 150.00, based on their calculations of what was covered. I set up a payment plan with the doctors office for $50.00 per month, after receiving my first bill 10/08. The first payment was sent in October and cashed by the office on November 17, 2008. The sent another bill, at the end of November, and was paid on 12/5. I recently received another bill dated 12/27, on January 16th, which again was promptly paid.
I addressed this with the doctors office and they said they were charging me the late fee because my insurance company sent me a payment and I did not send the full amount. There was no explanation for the interest charges. I sent a letter requesting a detailed breakdown of all charges, including how the interest was calculated. My question is what is the legal amount of interest I can be charged, and if they do not send bills regularly or apply payments in a timely fashion, how can they charge interest. Additionally, can they charge me a late fee if I have paid them as agreed? I have received 3 bills and all were paid on time. Is there a maximum interest rate in California for medical bills? I have uploaded my letter to the doctor.
