After a local optometrist determined I needed a lens removed due to cataracts he sent me to a Crown Optical's surgery center. There I was told of a newly developed multifocal lens which, though expensive, was giving good results. I was told that my medical insurance would NOT cover the procedure and I agreed to pay the full quoted amount of $2,590 myself. I asked if that was the total cost, barring complications, and was told "yes".
I took out a loan and paid for it in full before the procedure. All went well until I began receiving bills indicating that my insurance had been sent claims totaling $4,452, only $1,850 of which they paid. Crown then adjusted the cost to a total of $3,669, billing me only $741. For the past six months I received bills, and each time one came, I called the number as indicated if I had any questions. It would only allow me to leave my name, acct. No., and contact number, and the promise that "someone would get back to me as soon as possible". No one called for over five months.
On two occassions responding messages were left on my machine while at work, but my replies went unanswered. Last week I received notice from a collection agency. I mailed them a letter disputing all additional charges. This morning I received a call from the collection agency telling me that $540 had been waived, and if I refused payment of the remaining $201, they will report to the credit agency. My repeated calls to Crown Optical remain unanswered. The surgery center that performed the work only offer their apologies for the misunderstanding, but it is out of their hands.
Though it appears that after seven months of aggrivation the amount has been reduced, no insurance money has been reimbursed to me, and even this relatively small unjust debt will adversely effect my credit rating. Yes, paying it would be the easiest to do, but it's the principle of the thing!
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