This is one of those "what woud you do?" situations....ok, my Daddy's been in heaven for two years now. I am his Executor and have taken care of everything. He, unfortunately, had to live the last few months of his life in a nursing home - when I received the final bill I called and discussed a $40 discrepancy; ok, she tells me, no problem. I subtracted the $40 and paid the bill. Thought it was a done deal. NOPE! I get a bill two months later for the $40. I called and discussed it with a new person; ok, no problem. The previous person didn't make a note of it but that's ok. So I thought! The next month I get a bill again; I called and left a message with yet another person; no return phone call. The next month I get a bill; this time I send a letter explaining everything. I don't hear anything so I figure that took care of it. NOPE!!! EIGHTEEN months later....here I am getting the same freaking bill for $40!!!!
It's like I've been talking to a brick wall or something! Do I contact them yet again? Do I contact the Better Business Bureau? I know a lot of people would probably say just pay the $40 but I don't owe it! The bill was wrong from the start!
What would you do??
Thanks everyone!! A couple of things: yes, I've kept track of everyone I've talked to, dates, etc.- thank Heavens!! As for the money not being mine and being out of his "estate," technically, it IS mine!! Any money left now IS mine! And it's not the fact that it's ONLY $40; it's the principle of the matter. I don't owe it; my two sisters agree we don't owe it so why should I pay it?
I think I will try one more time - I will call and get a name of the manager or director or someone else and send a letter with copies of everything and note the names of everyone I've spoken to and see what happens.
Thanks everyone!!
Having this hassle gone isn't worth .50 per week to you?
I should go there IN PERSON and NOT leave until it was taken care if, O. way or another.
Keep calling.
Take names of who you talk to.
Escalate to their managers (get their names, too) and then to THEIR managers (and still take names).
It could be that the bill is stuck in the computer.
Keep bringing up the original discrepancy and explain everything from the beginning each time you talk to another person.
get it in writing that there is no balance, have them email it to you.
Maybe it's time to take the orginal bill to the billing office and talk to whoever is in charge. I would also document each phone conversation and take each subsequent bill and copies of any letters you received and wrote.
Make sure the person you talk to in person understands that the final bill was incorrect. Before you leave the office have a letter on letterhead signed by the billing manager that the matter is resolved and the bill has been paid in full.
Good God NO, you don't pay it. Hopefully you have annotated all the names and dates you have called and addressed this issue. Call, speak to Management and address. After that, write a letter explaining all issues, keep a copy fopr your records and mail. They have it both in writing and verbally. If after that the bill continues to come, mail a copy of the letter you sent back instead of a payment. They'll get it eventually. Always remember, it is important to document everything!
Well, I am a firm believe in picking my battles.
Good grief, this is one I'd let them win!!!
My hubby had a tooth filled. The dental insurance declined it stating that per their records that tooth had been removed so there was no way it could have been filled. Obviously they had typed in the wrong tooth number on the removed tooth so that would be an easy fix. Nope. Between going back and forth with his dentist and the insurance company it took a total of around 15 hrs of my time. But they paid the $30 they owed finally.
And as I was sitting back all proud of myself my hubby pointed out that using the minimum wage in my state of $8.25 it cost me $123.75 to get $30.00. That's when I decided that when the phrase "It's the principle of the thing!" pops into my head I need to step back and let it go.
I vote to pay the $40. It's not your money anywya, it's from his estate.
Peace of mind is well worth an un-owed $40.
_________________________
Sisters - plural? So it's not your $40, it's your $13.33, at best? You stick to your principles, fight for the little guy and take down Goliath. I'll be spending that same amount of time playing with my kids. Maybe I just see it differently b/c I'm older, or I have the $13.33 to spare.
I'm not sure, but the nursing home bill usually would run about $3,000 per month. And he was in there a "few" months, so that's $9,000 to $15,000 dollars? And you've now spent hours upon hours calling, worrying, posting, discussing, and fretting.
I know it's not right, and absolutely you don't ever want to become a doormat for every flippin' extra surcharge out there. But I'm sure you want to mourn your dad. You want your life to move on. You don't want or need this annoying little pest on your mind.
You can be right, or you can be happy. Rarely both at the same time. It's $13. It's not a principle. It's not a symbol. It's a business decision. My time on this planet is important, and the time to fix this is worth more than $13 to me. That's how I came to my conclusion. But I respect you for fighting the fight. Good luck!
What would I do? I'd pay the $40. They cannot tell you what that $40 is for now. And since you see that each person gives you lip service, but no one does anything, then you see the incompetence for what it is.
Pay it and be done with it before they send you to collections.
Dawn
Wow. The exact same thing happened to me. Part of my situation was that the finance person was a different person each time. The turn-over rate in these jobs is amazing. Definitely write to the owner or Nursing Home administrator. This will work out.
Amazingly , after my nursing home woes were worked out, I received a series of bills from the hospital for services offered days AFTER my father had passed! Repeatedly working on that issue was unreal!
My best to you.
I once fought a bill for $13.85. It went on for almost a year before they finally dropped it. It was a continuous order that had agreements between me and the company. They fulfilll their side and I do mine--meaning I pay the bill. Well they did not. I never received my final order so I refused to pay. It went to collector who of course always insists the money is owed even if it is not. My husband wanted me to pay it. Nope. I did win though it took time. I agree with AV to send certified or registered so they have to sign for it and you know who has it. I would include all detail in the letter and indicate you want a reply with in 60 days that the matter has been taken care of. And a new bill or letter indicating nothing is due.
I have actually had a few instances where I was told I owed something that I did not, usually due to a similar issue of helath care billed wrong. If I had paid all of them, I would have paid over $1000 that I did not owe.
BTW, I might agree with everyone saying to pay IF you were fighting the original billing still.
Make your letter registered mail so someone has to sign for it. You go, mama!
Not worth the hassle. Let it go. Sometimes you have to pick and chose what to spend time on.
Although it might be less of a hassle to just pay it; it's the principle of the matter. I absolutely would not pay it. Angeles T, ReverendRuby and B all gave great suggestions.
My FIL once paid a tax bill he didn't owe (some technicality with him being deployed at the time) and he's still bitter about it. So I'd write it all up again and send it certified mail, keep a copy, and address it to the manager or someone more senior that whoever you dealt with already.
At this point, I'd just pay it to rid myself of the hassle.
What seems to work for me is to allow the clerical worker 2 attempts to fix a problem, and if a problem remains, I ask for a manager. I don't have time to waste on half-measures. You might want to consider such an approach for any future billing/customer service disputes.
Don't you have the canceled check to show them that it was paid and when it was paid?
