I was treated at the emergency room of George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. I provided accurate up to date insurance information. However, someone at the hospital didn't bother to read my insurance card closely and instead used my old insurance information that must have been in the system there from the last time I was there several years ago. That old policy ended in Jan. 2007 because I went on my husband's policy.
I didn't find out about the mistake until I received a bill about a month later from a collection agency no less saying I owed more than $1300 because my insurance had been denied. I immediately called my insurance company, Aetna. The customer service rep at Aetna was also surprised that the hospital had already turned things over to a collection agency. She told me she would call the hospital and give them the correct insurance info.
Despite this, about a week later, I received another iteration of the first bill and then another bill from Medical Associates of George Washington University for $233 again saying I had no insurance. I am just flabbergasted that a hospital would not act responsibly after being told by the insurance company that they made a mistake! And the hours the patient account office is open are limited, you can't leave a voicemail message with anyone, nor can you E-mail anyone if you are not able to contact them during business hours. Some of us work for god sake and don't always have time to sit on hold during work hours.
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