Allergy Partners of the Piedmont

From: ***, *** [mailto***] Sent: Monday, June 29, 3:PMTo: *** ***Subject: ID ***Importance: HighHi,We are in receipt of this complaint and would like to offer the following explanation as we understand it. The patient incurred a bill stemming
from charges billed in October that were applied to their deductible The amount was over $2,as he stated He called the Central Billing Office in October and discussed payment arrangements and was offered a $200/mo payment He refused and didn’t counter offer No payments were ever made on his account Then, in February, 2015, he called our office instead of the central billing office and asked about payment arrangements He stated he could only pay $50/month We did accept his payment agreement but the account was already at the collection agency since there was no contact or payments made from the initial contact in October We corresponded with the collection agency to let them know of the payment arrangement so they wouldn’t continue to call him $50/month was auto drafted from his checking account as agreed beginning in Feb The patient wanted the account “pulled back” from the collection agency and we explained that we did not have any reasons to do so because we had not sent the account in error It was over days old with no payments and that’s why it was sent to collections Statements continued to go to the patient during this time He then stopped his $50/month payments on May 5th because we couldn’t pull the account back from the collection agency Again, we did not turn this account over in error It was over days old with no payments If you have any other questions, please let me know Thanks!*** ***, CMPEPractice Manager Westgate Center DriveWinston-Salem, NC 27103Phone: ###-###-####Fax: ###-###-#### www.allergypartners.com/piedmont

From: [redacted] [mailto[redacted]] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 3:10 PMTo: [redacted]Subject: ID [redacted]Importance: HighHi,We are in receipt of this complaint and would like to offer the following explanation as we understand...

it. The patient incurred a bill stemming from charges billed in October that were applied to their deductible.   The amount was over $2,000 as he stated.   He called the Central Billing Office in October and discussed payment arrangements and was offered a $200/mo payment.  He refused and didn’t counter offer.   No payments were ever made on his account.  Then, in February, 2015, he called our office instead of the central billing office and asked about payment arrangements.   He stated he could only pay $50/month.    We did accept his payment agreement but the account was already at the collection agency since there was no contact or payments made from the initial contact in October 2014.    We corresponded with the collection agency to let them know of the payment arrangement so they wouldn’t continue to call him.     $50/month was auto drafted from his checking account as agreed beginning in Feb. 2015.  The patient wanted the account “pulled back” from the collection agency and we explained that we did not have any reasons to do so because we had not sent the account in error.   It was over 120 days old with no payments and that’s why it was sent to collections.   Statements continued to go to the patient during this time.  He then stopped his $50/month payments on May 5th because we couldn’t pull the account back from the collection agency.   Again, we did not turn this account over in error.   It was over 120 days old with no payments.  If you have any other questions, please let me know.  Thanks![redacted], CMPEPractice Manager 1372 Westgate Center DriveWinston-Salem, NC  27103Phone:   ###-###-####Fax:       ###-###-#### www.allergypartners.com/piedmont

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
When I first called in October to set up the payment arrangement the only amount that was stated was $200 a month.  This was stated in a way as to this was the only payment that could be set up.  This is why I did not make a counter offer.  As far as calling the billing department versus medical center I called the numbers on the mailings.  Like I said when I initially called, the representative stated well Mr. [redacted] the only payment arrangement I can set at this time is for 200 a month, I was in shock.  How was I suppose to know I could counter offer without any notice.  I did tell they representative I could not make that amount monthly.  She said call us back when you can.  So strong arm your patients into making them believe they have to make such a high payment to start with is outrageous.  I would have gladly set up the 50 a month in October when I called to set the arrangements up to begin with.  I called in October, not you chasing me down for a payment.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: I was seen by Allergy Partners of the Piedmont in June 2014. I had an allergy pk test done and medication ordered for allergy shots. In August I received a bill in the mail. I reviewed the bill and what my insurance paid and did not pay. In October I called the number on the bill to set up payment arrangements because the bill was just over $2000. When I spoke to the representative, she was very kind when I asked her to set up payments. She told me she would have to set me up for a 12 month program and pay about $200 a month. I told her I could not do that. This was almost the amount of my car payment. I told her I did not make enough money to pay that much per month. She then told me that was all she was able to do. I said OK, thank you.In February, I called back and asked if I could set up payment arrangements again. The young lady told me it was already in collections and that I could still set up payment arrangements. I told her I already called to set them up once and you wouldn't take a payment less than $200 a month. She said she would contact her boss and see if they could get it back. She emailed me and said she could get the account back. So I called yet again to set up payments. $50 a month. In May 2015 I check my credit report to verify they took it off, to my surprise they were taking my payments and never took the account back out of collections. I have made several attempts to get this taken care of and Allergy Partners do not care, it is $200 a month or get sent to collections. I am beyond furious at these actions because I have made every attempt to get this on the right course and pay my bill.Desired Settlement: The resolution I want is for Allergy Partners to accept payment when it is offered so the average person can pay a bill without being bullied into making a higher payment. Also I want Allergy Partners to get this bill OFF OF MY CREDIT and let me make payments to them like agreed. No one should have to get bullied to take food off of their table to make a higher payment than they can afford. I do not live outside of my means. Time is of the essence.

Business

Response:

From: [redacted] [mailto[redacted]] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 3:10 PMTo: [redacted]Subject: ID [redacted]Importance: HighHi,We are in receipt of this complaint and would like to offer the following explanation as we understand it. The patient incurred a bill stemming from charges billed in October that were applied to their deductible. The amount was over $2,000 as he stated. He called the Central Billing Office in October and discussed payment arrangements and was offered a $200/mo payment. He refused and didn’t counter offer. No payments were ever made on his account. Then, in February, 2015, he called our office instead of the central billing office and asked about payment arrangements. He stated he could only pay $50/month. We did accept his payment agreement but the account was already at the collection agency since there was no contact or payments made from the initial contact in October 2014. We corresponded with the collection agency to let them know of the payment arrangement so they wouldn’t continue to call him. $50/month was auto drafted from his checking account as agreed beginning in Feb. 2015. The patient wanted the account “pulled back” from the collection agency and we explained that we did not have any reasons to do so because we had not sent the account in error. It was over 120 days old with no payments and that’s why it was sent to collections. Statements continued to go to the patient during this time. He then stopped his $50/month payments on May 5th because we couldn’t pull the account back from the collection agency. Again, we did not turn this account over in error. It was over 120 days old with no payments. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Thanks![redacted], CMPEPractice Manager 1372 Westgate Center DriveWinston-Salem, NC 27103Phone: ###-###-####Fax: ###-###-#### www.allergypartners.com/piedmont

Review: I was seen by Allergy Partners of the Piedmont in June 2014. I had an allergy pk test done and medication ordered for allergy shots. In August I received a bill in the mail. I reviewed the bill and what my insurance paid and did not pay. In October I called the number on the bill to set up payment arrangements because the bill was just over $2000. When I spoke to the representative, she was very kind when I asked her to set up payments. She told me she would have to set me up for a 12 month program and pay about $200 a month. I told her I could not do that. This was almost the amount of my car payment. I told her I did not make enough money to pay that much per month. She then told me that was all she was able to do. I said OK, thank you.In February, I called back and asked if I could set up payment arrangements again. The young lady told me it was already in collections and that I could still set up payment arrangements. I told her I already called to set them up once and you wouldn't take a payment less than $200 a month. She said she would contact her boss and see if they could get it back. She emailed me and said she could get the account back. So I called yet again to set up payments. $50 a month. In May 2015 I check my credit report to verify they took it off, to my surprise they were taking my payments and never took the account back out of collections. I have made several attempts to get this taken care of and Allergy Partners do not care, it is $200 a month or get sent to collections. I am beyond furious at these actions because I have made every attempt to get this on the right course and pay my bill.Desired Settlement: The resolution I want is for Allergy Partners to accept payment when it is offered so the average person can pay a bill without being bullied into making a higher payment. Also I want Allergy Partners to get this bill OFF OF MY CREDIT and let me make payments to them like agreed. No one should have to get bullied to take food off of their table to make a higher payment than they can afford. I do not live outside of my means. Time is of the essence.

Business

Response:

From: [redacted] [mailto[redacted]] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 3:10 PMTo: [redacted]Subject: ID [redacted]Importance: HighHi,We are in receipt of this complaint and would like to offer the following explanation as we understand it. The patient incurred a bill stemming from charges billed in October that were applied to their deductible. The amount was over $2,000 as he stated. He called the Central Billing Office in October and discussed payment arrangements and was offered a $200/mo payment. He refused and didn’t counter offer. No payments were ever made on his account. Then, in February, 2015, he called our office instead of the central billing office and asked about payment arrangements. He stated he could only pay $50/month. We did accept his payment agreement but the account was already at the collection agency since there was no contact or payments made from the initial contact in October 2014. We corresponded with the collection agency to let them know of the payment arrangement so they wouldn’t continue to call him. $50/month was auto drafted from his checking account as agreed beginning in Feb. 2015. The patient wanted the account “pulled back” from the collection agency and we explained that we did not have any reasons to do so because we had not sent the account in error. It was over 120 days old with no payments and that’s why it was sent to collections. Statements continued to go to the patient during this time. He then stopped his $50/month payments on May 5th because we couldn’t pull the account back from the collection agency. Again, we did not turn this account over in error. It was over 120 days old with no payments. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Thanks![redacted], CMPEPractice Manager 1372 Westgate Center DriveWinston-Salem, NC 27103Phone: ###-###-####Fax: ###-###-#### www.allergypartners.com/piedmont