I received a bill for $374.94 for routine lab work. This is work that I've done every year for the last 10 years. This lab work costs around $14 each year - except for the years the billing staff make a mistake with the codes.
A few years ago, this happened, and they absolutely WOULD NOT listen to or work with me. I actually had to do hours of research and give their billing people the proper codes to use (how to do their jobs!). It took several hours over multiple weeks, and the only benefit was that I was billed the correct amount. I lost hours of my life to this. This year, they made EXACTLY the same mistake so I found a more effective way to deal with companies like this. I actually did the following with a different company that made a similar billing error and it works. I will do this with Labcorp this time:
Let them know about the error. This is important. Don't spend much time, but do it in writing or keep a record of when you called and who you talked with.
Do not pay. You will need a different lab going forward.
If/when they send the erroneous bill to collections, dispute it on your credit report (usually a click of a button on the reporting trans union or Equifax website).
That may end it. However, if they substantiate the claim with the Credit reporting agency, call a credit dispute attorney (Google). Most will do the work for the payout, and it costs you nothing. They will sue the company that put the negative entry on your credit report.
Court is expensive, so the company will try to settle. Do not settle unless they offer you more than the original bill. Ideally, get a judgement. Judgements are black marks on a permanent record, and give regulators and courts more to work with in future cases.
Everyone but Labcorp will get paid, and its actually less work than trying to beg the Labcorp billing department to do the right thing. In fact, my experience shows that this is the only efficient way to deal with them when they make a mistake.
I would recommend everyone do this with Labcorp. read more
