A Billing Victory!

In December, my IV line called a PICC line was running slow. Blood clots had developed in the line, which was impeding the flow. I received a medicine from my infusion company to help break up the clots in my PICC line.

In January, I received a bill for $35. I was confused. The medicine is covered by my insurance. After talking to a woman in the billing department, I realized the $35 charge was not for the medicine but for the supplies associated with administering the medicine.

I have two main insurance plans—a primary and secondary. The primary covers most items; however, it does not cover any charges associated with the administration of medicine. Thankfully, my secondary insurance covers these charges.

The woman at the billing department saw the bill had not been sent to my insurance companies. She put a note on my account to have the bill sent to my insurance.

In February, I received another bill. I called. I was again told the bill was not submitted to my insurance. Another note was placed on the account.

In March, I received another bill. I called. This time I was told my primary insurance refused payment. I said, “Yes. They do not cover that charge. Please bill my secondary insurance.” A note was placed on my account.

In April, I received another bill. I called. I was told my primary insurance did not pay. I said it needed to be submitted to my secondary insurance.

Now, I was getting frantic. I only had eight days before the bill was in danger of being sent to collections. I contacted my nurse from the infusion company. She put in requests to the billing department for my bill to be sent to my secondary insurance. She did not receive a response back from anyone.

Today, the last day my bill before the bill was going to sent to collections, I called the infusion company. I had my credit card in hand. I was going to pay the bill rather than have $35 hurt my credit. If the bill was sent to collections, I would be forced to pay it anyway. I mind as well pay it before my credit is ruined.

When I called, I decided to not go through the automated bill pay. Instead, I opted to talk to someone. When the woman answered, I explained I wanted to check the balance on my bill. I gave her all my information. Behold, the bill had a ZERO balance! I could not believe it. I was nearly jumping around my room. Oh happy joy! Praise God! This bill is finally resolved!