Financial assistance and debt

[Jocker]

Jurisdiction

Kansas

I had a bill after going to ER. They suggested to apply for financial assistance which I did. They sent me a letter that I qualified for 100% financial assistance. However, after that, they kept sending me the same bill. When I asked why they didn't honor their own financial assistance they approved me for, they replied that if I didn't have insurance, the bill would be written off. But because I did have insurance and owed only a copay, the approved assistance wouldn't hold. I wish they told me about it before I even applied, since collecting all numbers they were requesting in financial assistance application was a hassle.
Anyway, I didn't pay the bill. They sent it to collection. Now the debt collector sent me a text message with the link to pay the balance. Is this a new form of debt collection? Are they not supposed to send me a letter in the mail? So far, I 've ignored their text message.

 

[Zigner]

Failing to pay your copay could result in your insurance dropping your coverage.

 

[zddoodah]

So...your only question is whether there is a legal obligation to use snail mail?

If so, the answer is no.

 

[Jocker]

Failing to pay your copay could result in your insurance dropping your coverage.

Thank you. Does it actually happen that a hospital may contact insurance after a patient didn't pay their copay?

 

[Jocker]

So...your only question is whether there is a legal obligation to use snail mail?

If so, the answer is no.

Well, my another question would be: is there an obligation to honor their own approved financial assistance that they offered and the patient qualified for?

 

[adjusterjack]

Well, my another question would be: is there an obligation to honor their own approved financial assistance that they offered and the patient qualified for?

Would have to read the entire letter before answering that question.

How much is the copay?

 

[Jocker]

Would have to read the entire letter before answering that question.

How much is the copay?

About 160.

 

[zddoodah]

Well, my another question would be: is there an obligation to honor their own approved financial assistance that they offered and the patient qualified for?

I agree with what "adjusterjack" wrote and would add the following: The general rule is that an offer is not binding unless the offeree has accepted the offer or, in some circumstances, has acted in detrimental reliance on the offer. Additionally, if the offer was based on a certain set of information, and if there is information that the offeree should have made known to the offeror, then the offer may not be binding even if the offeree has accepted it.

In your case, it is possible that the extension of the offer was premised on you not having insurance. It is also possible that you should have disclosed your insurance coverage and that your apparent failure to do so renders any offer void.