Colonial Animal Hospital

To whom it may concern,
This client brought his dog Shadow in on October 23,2014, for a severely inflamed groin and lameness in right frontA full exam was done by DrAllison F*Due to the severity of Shadows skin lesions, a steroid injection and laser therapy was recommended
and okayed by the ownerRadiographs of the affected limb were taken and periosteitis was foundThe client went home with four medications and an Elizabethan collarOur hospital policy is not to extend billing, but do offer CareCredit and accept any major credit cardUsually we would not dispense medications when there is a balance but we made an exception for this client for the dogs comfortThe client told us that he would pay off the balance by the following week before his recheck and his balance remained unpaidOver a month period invoices were sent on November 4, 2014, December 2, 2014, January 2, and February 3, We tried to reach him by phone on March 3, 2015, but were unsuccessfulThe forth invoice stated that if his account was not paid in days, it would be sent to our collection agencyWe tried to give this client every opportunity to pay off his balance with us before sending him to collections.The client stated that we gave his accounting information to the collections agency from a check that he wrote to usUnfortunately, this client has never written us a checkHe paid half of his balance from the October 23rd visit with a credit card ending in ***The only information that was given to *** *** (the collection agency we use) was the new client info that the client filled out himself, which has his signature on our payment policy, along with his records and balance dueOur payment policy that client signed:
For your convenience we accept cash, checks and major credit cardsWith prior approval, we also offer a choice of No Interest Payment Plans to qualified applicants through our financial partner CareCredit, Please ask us in advance of your procedures if you are interested in applying for CareCreditIn admitting my pet(s) for diagnostics, treatment or surgery, I authorize the veterinarians of COLONIAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, and their support staff, to administer such treatment and/or perform such diagnostic or surgical procedures as deemed necessaryIt is understood that an estimate of charges will be given for servicesNo guarantee or assurance can be made as to the results that may be obtainedFurther, I understood that a deposit of 50% is required before services are performed and I assume full responsibility for all charges incurred by my petI realize that these charges may exceed a given estimate if complications ariseI understand that I will be contacted prior to treatment, if possible, should complications occurIn case of non-payment, I am aware that I will be charged by Colonial Animal Hospital, the actual cost of collection, including, but not limited to attorney's fees, court costs, plus interest and administrative fees in addition to the amount owed for servicesWe strive to provide the best veterinary care for all of our patientsUnfortunately, an account that has a four month past due bill for services rendered gets sent to a collection agencyWe have signed document and all of the client's records supporting all of this informationWe will gladly submit those upon request.
Sincerely,
Colonial Animal Hospital

[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:it is in fact true that I brought shadow into the practice in October and failed to make the payment until February. However my last payment to the doctors office was with a check. A copy can be provided at request.I will be submitting a copy of my check to my attorney as evidence that colonial Animal Hospital has compromised my financial information without my permission. I have never spoken to a collections agency about my bill at the Animal Hospital and have no idea why they would debit my account without my notice.
Regards,M
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