🚀 go-pugleaf

"Sanj" <sanjs@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8pu6dp$sh9$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> Based on a recommendation by a coworker, I went to Advanced Healthcare,
> to get treated for
> a pain in my neck, in April of 1998.  Now, Advanced Healthcare has
> *become* a pain in my
> neck!  :(
>
> Also, to top it all, the services rendered by the chiropractor there,
> did NOTHING to help
> the pain in my neck - I *still* have it!
>
> Here's how it happened:
> Since they were recommended to me by a coworker, I called them and made
> an appointment,
> using a card that my coworker had picked up from their office.  When I
> went there for my
> initial appointment, I gave the person at the front desk my insurance
> card and asked her
> specifically whether they were an 'in network' provider.  I understand
> how the system is
> setup and wanted to make sure, since I hadn't done so prior to that.
> She checked in their
> system and told me that they *were* an in network provider.  Well, it
> turns out that this
> was a mistake; a mistake that started an on-going two year dispute
> between me and Advanced
> Healthcare, P.C.
> Note:  They never disputed that their employee told me this.  Their
> argument was that their
> management and staff had changed by the time the issue was disputed and
> that it didn't matter
> that I was told this (which is the gist of my disagreement with them).
>
> Of course, I took what she said in good faith - I didn't have any reason
> to doubt her word.
> Therefore, I did not check further into it and continued to go there for
> treatment until July
> of that year.  At that point, their management realized that they were
> *not* a provider in my
> insurance because their claims were returned to them (the charges fell
> within the
> deductible for out of network coverage).  They started sending me the
> bills directly.
>
> This is when I first realized the fact that they were an out of network
> provider.
>
> After that, I tried to find out what I could do about the dispute by
> calling their office in
> Sterling, VA.  I left them messages and had numerous (about 35!) calls
> into them before I was
> finally contacted by a manager from their office who told me that I owed
> them essentially the
> entire amount for the services rendered (I had paid them co-payments of
> $5, each time I went
> there).
>
> The manager and I had an unpleasant exchange of words and then I didn't
> hear from them
> again.  I called my Insurance Company and their representatives told me
> that they were still
> receiving claims from this Provider.  So, I assumed that the issue was
> still being 'resolved.'
>
> The next I heard about this dispute was *today*, when my former landlady
> kindly sent me a
> 'Warrant in debt' that was posted outside the front door of the
> condominium where I lived
> before.  Advanced Healthcare had apparently sent notices to my old
> address and sent the
> dispute to a collection agency, presumably when the notices bounced
> back.  Now, I have a
> court date in the Fairfax General District Court to defend myself.  Of
> course, they've added
> 9% interest starting from May 8, 2000 (probably when they sent their
> last notice) and say
> that this interest will accrue until the amount is paid off!

Were you properly served?

Check with the clerk of court to be sure that you are on the docket.  If you
are, you better show up or they can get a default judgment.   This will be
only part 1 of a 2 part process and you will have to go to court again to
have your say.

Frankly, you really must have pissed the guy off.   I can't see going to
court to get back the fee for a few "adjustments."

You may not have much of a case as you did receive the treatments.

Look at your total situation.   Do you really care if they get a judgment
against you?   If you don't really have any assets there isn't much they can
do.

>
> I am not sure what recourse I have.  Could someone please advice me on
> this?  Am I essentially
> screwed?!  :)

You can get a free legal advice from the Legal Aid folks.   They have an
office right among the court rooms.
>
> Seriously, is there *anything* I can do here?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Sanj
>
> --
> These opinions are mine alone.
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.