Collection Agency from Heck!

by Rachelle Laughlin
(Milton,Wa)

I had Blue Cross-Blue Shield prior to getting pregnant with my oldest daughter. The told me everything was covered (well, 90% of it ) and not to worry. I had a VERY complicated pregnancy and she came a little earlier than expected.

Here is where the fun began. After spending 27 hours in labor ( No Joke! ), I wasn't progressing at all so my Dr gave me some medication to help me out. Contractions started to kick up... but still nothing other than that!

Here it came to getting my spinal block...They placed it in the wrong spot and I wasn't able to breathe! The removed it, placed me on oxygen and attempted to do it again. However this time, it did nothing ( I am assuming they didn't do it right again ). Well about an hour later, the baby's heart rate started dropping quickly and the next thing I knew I was in the ER with yet ANOTHER needle going into my spine. Guess what? I couldn't breathe AGAIN. So they ended up putting me under and did my surgery.

So after all this I was just glad to have it over and done with right? well..no. My insurance didn't cover any other that! They stated that the doctors they used were not preferred providers and therefore I was on my own.

Even though there was not anther Dr within 150 miles that could have done this, as I live in a very small town out in the middle of nowhere. Happen to know where Elko, Nevada is? Yeah, well if so, then you know what I'm talking about.

Also, the hospital charged me for all 3 spinal blocks, oxygen, and medication used to put me under when they kept messing up! They also did not cover the nursery for the baby. She wasn't even in there for a full day, but they still charged me $1,500 for it!

My bills totaled over 5k (after paying over 2K prior to delivery).

So, not even a month after being home all the bill started coming in. I fought with BCBS because I know to this day that they are wrong. Collection people keep calling me and harassing me. My work, my cell ( that's not even in my name. How did they get the number?) I have told them I am not going to pay for it, and to go talk to BCBS.

They were rude and threatened me and called my house over 20 times daily! One even told me I couldn't make payments. Now I know that is crap!

If I was in the business of screwing people, I would say this company does a great job, but I'm not. I understand they are trying to get money owed but they are coming to the wrong person. I think that collection agencies should listen to the people and HELP them.

They will get their money more often if they weren't going after people that feel they shouldn't have to pay. I will gladly pay for my share. However I will not pay for the doctor's mess ups and for the insurance going back on what the agreement said.

Outline of what a great collection agency should do.

1) Listen
2) Help, not harass
3) Have compassion

I'm sure if they all did their job like that things would be a lot easier for everyone.