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Linda
Brandwin, R.N.
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Linda
Brandwin
is a registered nurse and a medical billing
and claims specialist. For the past 10 years
she has worked directly with insurance companies
to give advice and guidance to the health care
consumer.
Readers may send email
or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill
Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.
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Hospital
insurance forms can be confusing and unclear
Feb 11, 2005
Q:
I
have a problem that I have not been able to find an
answer to. I found out that a year ago I had been reported
to three major credit reporting agencies by a collection
company. The services were for x-rays provided in a
hospital for my step daughter who lives with her mother.
I had my step daughter on my family medical insurance
plan per the court order as part of my husband's child
support.
Apparently
I was not only named as the insurance holder, but also
as the responsible party for payment. I received a statement
three weeks later, called the hospital's billing department,
and had it corrected. I was never contacted again by
the hospital or the collection agency. I have asked
the three credit reporting agencies to remove my name
due to the mistaken information given that I was the
responsible party for payment of these medical bills.
I am currently requesting an investigation but still
feel unsure if I am wasting my time. I was applying
for a mortgage loan, so I paid the bill to show that
I am a responsible person. The rest of my credit report
is great. It shows I have never made a late payment.
Is
it legal to have someone put your name on medical services
as the responsible party without their consent or knowledge
even if I am the insurance holder?
A:
I
do not give legal advice nor do I know what the laws
are regarding this matter. You will have to consult
with a lawyer or a legal aid service. However, filling
out hospital insurance forms can be confusing and unclear.
The stress of having to bring a child to a hospital
for x-rays may also contribute to the confusion. Usually,
the insurance card holder is the financially responsible
party. But, obviously, as in your case, this is not
always true. That is why that question is on the insurance
form.
It is entirely possible that the hospital made the incorrect
assumption that you are the financially responsible
party and they are the ones responsible for this error.
I do not really know. Nor do I know if your step daughter's
mother is the one who made the error. I can only give
you some possible scenarios as to what may have caused
this problem. Hopefully, this information will give
you a little more insight into your situation. Unfortunately,
you did not cause the problem, but you are the one that
has suffered the repercussions and has to resolve it.
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