Cedar Creek Family Counseling, Inc.

Review: In January of 2013 I began treatment at Cedar Creek family Counseling. The terms of my treatment and its financing were discussed and agreed upon prior to the start of treatment. The terms were that my insurance provider would cover 80% and I would pay the remaining 20%. The billing department assured me they had contacted my insurance and verified this. The payment intervals were set for weekly payments, in which I was responsible for the remaining balance not covered by my insurance for the treatment received that week. In the event that I missed a payment, treatment would be stopped, pending payment of unpaid balance. I was also informed by Cedar Creek that it is their policy to cease treatment if the insurance stops coverage for any reason as clients are not to have any outstanding balance.

I made it clear to Cedar Creek that if for any reason my insurance was to reduce my amount of coverage or stop covering my treatment for any reason at any time, I was to be notified immediately. I made it clear I would have to cease treatment as it would exceed my initially agreed budget, and I would have to go elsewhere for treatment. This was agreed upon by Cedar Creek, assuring me that there were no foreseeable issues, and if there were that they would notify me immediately.

My treatment came to an end in June 2013, and I was told I would be billed for my final week and for a letter my counselor wrote on my behalf for court. On February 11th, 2014 I received an email from Cedar Creek stating I owed $2536.79. This was the first I was hearing from them, so I checked my junk mail and found one other email received December 18th, 2013 stating I owed the same amount. I instantly questioned the amount and was puzzled why my billing statement was emailed rather than mailed. I contacted Cedar Creek on February 13th, 2014 via email questioning the amount and requesting an explanation. Not receiving any response to my email, and given the apparent discrepancy in price and payment history, I presumed it was an accounting error and they just chose not to respond. It wasn't until I received a collection statement in July 2014 that I realized they had ignored my email.

I still have record of the emails, statements, and receipts in my possession. At no time did I ever receive a bill via postal mail. I never got a response to my email. My account was sent straight to collections. Upon receiving the collections notice I contacted my insurance at that time to inquire about what they had covered. The insurance informed me that since my deductible hadn't been met the 80/20% split wouldn't have been applied at the time in question. The insurance is in the process of gathering all the paper work of all payment made to Cedar Creek and will have that to me within a couple weeks. Cedar Creeks billing department should have been aware of this. Cedar Creeks statements show that they are billing me for as far back as 1-31-13. I should've been made aware of this! Given my payment agreement and payment history with Cedar Creek Family Counseling, along with the billing procedures, apparent discrepancies, and lack of response, I am disputing this attempt of collection.Desired Settlement: Given the agreement I had with Cedar Creek Family Counseling I don't feel I should have to pay this bill. I clearly told them that I could not pay more than what I was already paying, and for them to inform me of billing changes. Cedar Creek failed to do so. They were to cease treatment in the case of an outstanding balance. They failed to do so. They let me continue treatment knowing I could not pay any more than I was paying already. I was going there for almost six months and the billing goes back to January, so they had to be aware that they were not receiving full payment from the insurance within that time.

Business

Response:

Cedar Creek Family Counseling, Inc. in no way or form can or would state to any client what their insurance company would pay. It is the client's responsibility to contact their insurance company for this information since we do not have access to their information such as deductible remaining, co-insurance, etc. We can only access the eligibility information. Her charges were applied to her deductible by the insurance company. Also her insurance company sent her the Explanation of Benefits which showed her claims and the amount she was responsible for on every visit that we charged her. She ignored this information. [redacted] also signed an agreement on 01/16/2013 stating that she understood that she was responsible for any charges for services incurred for counseling and that she was responsible for any charges not paid for by insurance (enclosed). Statements were sent to her on a regular basis which were ignored. This left us no choice but to send her to collections.

Sincerely,

President

CEDAR CREEK FAMILY COUNSELING

FEE SCHEDULE

Although We are willing to work with any individual concerning their balance, clients are ultimately responsible for any charges incurred as a part of their treatment at Cedar Creek Family Counseling.

I [redacted] understand that I am responsible for any charges for services incurred for counseling. I understand that even if I have hearth insurance that I will be responsible for any charges not paid for by insurance.

I understand that many Insurance companies win only pay for one service per day. If I choose to attend two services on a given day, I may have to payout of pocket for one of those services.

I understand that If I need·a Court report or a court appearance by my counselor these services will cost extra and my insurance will not pay for these services. I understand that court reports are charged at approximately $100 per hour. Court appearances

are based on travel time, $100.00 per hour with a four-hour minimum charge. [redacted]I agree that I will pay my co"pay, deductible, and/or service fees before each and every session. I understand that I will be charged a re bill fee of $10.00 (ten dollars) for

every monthly invoiced balance that .I do not pay in full.

I understand that if I do not pay my bill and I am turned over to a collection agency that I will be responsible for any and all collection agency fees up to 30% of the amount placed with the collection agency. In the event we would seek legal action for collection on your account, you will also be responsible for any and all fees associated with court costs, garnishments, and/or attorney fees. Any discounts I may nave been offered will be considered null and void and will be reversed at the time an account is sent to a collection agency.