I guess this is a praise story, a suck story, and an ask for advice.
So in July, as some of you remember, I was rear-ended and the other guy's insurance is USAA. I've been having a very hard time getting it settled on the medical bills. I've faxed whatever info they wanted and when I received a voicemail asking if I was going to continue treatment (so they could settle it if I wasn't) I called back. I got voicemail, as I usually do. I left a detailed message saying they only needed to pay the ambulance and ER bill and please contact me. Then...nothing. I had faxed in the stuff, so I waited. I got a second bill from the ER yesterday.
So I called USAA today and they have only received the ambulance bill, apparently, and also need me to sign off so they can pay. So I raised my voice a bit and said that I was "irritated" and explained about the phone calls. I wish I had been more calm, but I don't think I was sucky. I wasn't looking for anything but getting the hospital off my back, but the claims guy offered me extra money for the inconvenience. That was nice and I thanked him at the end, telling him I probably could've been more persisitent. He reiterated that they'd dropped the ball and we said our goodbyes and I was happy to have a plan (re-sending the ER bill today).
Now, I'd left a message the other day with the hospital billing dept. that I was sorry the ER bill wasn't being taken care of and I was going to call USAA again. A lady left a voicemail this morning saying there wasn't anything she could do on her end but ask me to make a payment. She was nice about it; I think she understands the situation and that I just wanted them to know this was going to be taken care of, but can't release me from responsibility. So I called back this afternoon out of courtesy to let them know I had just talked to the insurance. I called the number on my caller ID. The bill didn't pop up for the woman that answered (different voice). I needed billing for this newer bill, I realized, and this was collections. She was instantly on me about some other ER bills my insurance wouldn't pay. I can't make payments right now because I'm doing that with my primary care provider who will drop me if I don't. This hospital is going to have to come second. Anyway, she was on me about the bills and I told her I might be able to make a big chunk payment soon. She wanted to know how soon and when I said within a month, she was not happy with that for whatever reason (when other collectors have been satisfied), and not happy that I need to contact them later about payments (need to look at my budget for the last part of the year). Now, I know it's her job and she probably hates it, but I don't excuse what seemed like personal anger at me. She doesn't know me nor does she have the right to judge until she does. That right there might be the reason I decide the money from USAA goes to another entity.
I guess the advice part is what I should do with the $500. My savings is diminished. I owe on so many things, but I feel that either it should go as a payment on my credit line at the bank, the car repair bills, or one of the medical bills. These are all things I'm making on-time payments to, but knocking down one a bit would feel good. Or maybe it should go in savings for Jan-Feb, when I'm broke.
At any rate, I'm just frustrated with my bills, happy about unexpected money, and thankful to you all for "listening". Also, was I sucky? I hope not. Thanks for reading the wall o' text.
So in July, as some of you remember, I was rear-ended and the other guy's insurance is USAA. I've been having a very hard time getting it settled on the medical bills. I've faxed whatever info they wanted and when I received a voicemail asking if I was going to continue treatment (so they could settle it if I wasn't) I called back. I got voicemail, as I usually do. I left a detailed message saying they only needed to pay the ambulance and ER bill and please contact me. Then...nothing. I had faxed in the stuff, so I waited. I got a second bill from the ER yesterday.
So I called USAA today and they have only received the ambulance bill, apparently, and also need me to sign off so they can pay. So I raised my voice a bit and said that I was "irritated" and explained about the phone calls. I wish I had been more calm, but I don't think I was sucky. I wasn't looking for anything but getting the hospital off my back, but the claims guy offered me extra money for the inconvenience. That was nice and I thanked him at the end, telling him I probably could've been more persisitent. He reiterated that they'd dropped the ball and we said our goodbyes and I was happy to have a plan (re-sending the ER bill today).
Now, I'd left a message the other day with the hospital billing dept. that I was sorry the ER bill wasn't being taken care of and I was going to call USAA again. A lady left a voicemail this morning saying there wasn't anything she could do on her end but ask me to make a payment. She was nice about it; I think she understands the situation and that I just wanted them to know this was going to be taken care of, but can't release me from responsibility. So I called back this afternoon out of courtesy to let them know I had just talked to the insurance. I called the number on my caller ID. The bill didn't pop up for the woman that answered (different voice). I needed billing for this newer bill, I realized, and this was collections. She was instantly on me about some other ER bills my insurance wouldn't pay. I can't make payments right now because I'm doing that with my primary care provider who will drop me if I don't. This hospital is going to have to come second. Anyway, she was on me about the bills and I told her I might be able to make a big chunk payment soon. She wanted to know how soon and when I said within a month, she was not happy with that for whatever reason (when other collectors have been satisfied), and not happy that I need to contact them later about payments (need to look at my budget for the last part of the year). Now, I know it's her job and she probably hates it, but I don't excuse what seemed like personal anger at me. She doesn't know me nor does she have the right to judge until she does. That right there might be the reason I decide the money from USAA goes to another entity.
I guess the advice part is what I should do with the $500. My savings is diminished. I owe on so many things, but I feel that either it should go as a payment on my credit line at the bank, the car repair bills, or one of the medical bills. These are all things I'm making on-time payments to, but knocking down one a bit would feel good. Or maybe it should go in savings for Jan-Feb, when I'm broke.
At any rate, I'm just frustrated with my bills, happy about unexpected money, and thankful to you all for "listening". Also, was I sucky? I hope not. Thanks for reading the wall o' text.
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