For Pinkfreud:

I need three different letters that I can send to my doctors and to a
ambulance transport company asking them to accept payment in full with what my
insurance company had paid.

For me to pay thier 'balance billing' would be a financial hardship.

The doctors in question are two anesthesiologists and the ambulance service.

Thank you very much, I'll be looking for your answer soon.

Any additional comments would be welcome too.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 22 Mar 2004 14:25 PST

Thank you very much for directing your question to me. However, I
think you'd be much better served by a Researcher who has some
background knowledge in the legal and/or insurance fields. Can we open
this up to other Researchers?

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Clarification of Question by microscope15-ga on 22 Mar 2004 15:12 PST

Thank you, Pinkfreud for your suggestion: 

I am opening this question to a Researcher who has experience in the
insurance/legal field.

Comments are welcome to all who "have worn my shoes" at one time or another.

I realize this question is for Pinkfreud and so would certainly invite
her to use this language if she wishes when posting her answer:

"Dear Sir or Madam:

This is in reference to account number _________ for $_________.  I
understand my insurance company has already paid you $______________
on this account and that you are looking to me to retire the balance. 
Due to the injuries I suffered as a result of the events that
necessitated the subject medical care, I am unable to pay any sum
above that which my insurance company has already paid, and so ask you
to please compromise these claims.  Alternatively, I am willing to
discuss payment terms, but please know that any monthly payment would
be very small.  Please let me know if you are able to forgive any
balances over which you have already been paid.  I trust you will
contact me directly in response to this letter rather than simply
submitting it for collection.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, 

etc . . ."    

I think you can use the same letter all three times (with different
facts filled in to each blank, of course).

Hi...
I had an unfortunate medical emergency while in Arizona last April. I
had the same problem with getting bills for amounts above what my
insurance company had already paid.I called my insurance company and
faxed them copies of the bills and eventually they then DID pay the
outstanding amounts. Not sure if your insurance company would do the
same but it wouldn't hurt to try. Be careful with these outstanding
bills. One doctor's billing company sent my outstanding debt of $43.00
to a collection agency and, man, they were rude, called at all hours
and were basically nasty people to deal with.