[HELP] 1-800-Get-Thin Scammers!

[Moonlitedi 24]

I had a weight-loss surgery done back in April through a company called 1800-Get-Thin. I was assigned a rep which assured me it would be IN-NETWORK and my insurance would cover most of it and all I would have to pay pay out of pocket would be $2500, which I paid a few weeks before the surgery using my sterling card. I have the receipt for that payment. Which they approved. Now I am receiving bills from the hospital I went to Tri City Regional Medical Center Office totaling over $90k.

I called the hospital's billing department November 21 regarding these charges and they told me they have never been In-network and had to pay. I was in shock to hear this now after making it VERY VERY clear that I only wanted it if it was IN-NETWORK . I told them that Sherri Lee was my Patient care Specialist. The agent on the line grunted, and said they had problems with her and she was no longer working with them. I feel that this company did a bait and switch on me. She originally said it would be at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose with Dr. Alfred Johnson, but later found out it would be in LA at Tri City Hospital with Dr. Au Lee.

They have now sent me to collections and at a loss to what to do.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I would gather all the documents you have and get an attorney...fast.

[tarajill 63]

Agree - gather your documents and seek professional help.

[4sweeties 63]

Not to be mean, but I want to warn you, It's going to be hard. I had a previous surgery (not WLS) with a dr who I asked if they take my insurence said "you're entitled to it" and quickly went on to book my appointment before I realized her exact words. The office took my insurence card on my first visit, photocopied it and charged me co pays that I would normally pay ($20) for all the visits leading up to the surgery, as if they were going through insurence. Within a week of the surgery I started getting hospital bills. Turns out the doctor was "out of network" and I needed to pay high deductibles, which I would not have chosen to do being that I am in an area heavily populated with specialists who accept my health insurance. When I called my insurance company they said, it's my job to check with them that a doctor truly is in network. A lawyer friend said it is hard also. The doctor said just pay deductible (which was high becuase it included dr visits and lab so thousands between the two). We worked it out with the doctor, but it was not easy. You might be able to get a group action law suit. From now on, I always get in writing that it is covered by insurance. But yesterday got a bill that my overnight stay for WLS wasn't covered because I was in stable condition. I feel another nightmare starting.