Manifest Money Talks

My question involves insurance law for the state of: CT

My question: Am I liable to pay this bill for a cleaning over a year ago even when I am aware my dentist submitted it to the wrong insurance company? Is there anything I can do to prove my case?



I have been a loyal patient for a number of years but now I am in dispute with my dentist over charges that occured for a cleaning over a year ago. They have since sent me to a collections agency and will not budge on the issue.



I had a cleaning in May 2008. At that time I gave my denist a new insurance card. Initially I was sent bills in small incriments and paid immediately each time. Over the course of the year however, I received subsequent bills, increasing each time. Upon receipt of the bills I would call the office to dispute the chages or leave a message for someone to return my call. When I did speak with someone I was told that there was an issue with the insurance company and that they would re-submit the claim.



Finally, in June, just after the deadline I phoned the office and spoke with the Dr who told me to just pay the full amount and he would write a letter to the insurance company and if I refused to pay he would have to send me to collections. I did not agree to pay at that time because I knew even him sending a letter would not change the time permitted to submit the claim. However, I did at that point call the insurance company to see if a claim had been made at any point in the year and they told me no. Furthermore, I called the dentists office back to verify my card, and I was told they had my most recent card. It was at that time that I realized that even though they had it on file, I don't believe my information was ever changed on the computer.



In July, they consequently sent me to a collections agency. I was advised to write a detailed letter depicting the prior attempts I had made to clear this matter which I did, but to no avail. Currently, the dentist is claiming that I am at fault for failing to provide them with the correct insurance information, however I know based on the phone call I made that they did indeed have it on file. They cut down the amount I owe by about $100, but I still believe based on the principle of the matter that I should not have to pay. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! What should I do next?