Medical Insurance Sucks
I have noticed an up tick recently in the number of my friends who are having medically necessary treatments or procedures declined for payment by insurance companies. It seams like the insurance companies are trying to save as much money now as they can before the new laws take affect.
Personally, I have begun asking my doctors office if they take my insurance, and how much or what percentage is covered for each service the doctors office provides. I am doing this, because the doctor might see me, or order tests with out thinking about my insurance coverage, and then I might end up in collections because I can’t pay the bill. Apparently, it’s up to me to be pro active if I want to stay out of medical bill debt.
Personally, I would have liked the health care bill to require the medical profession to make the costs the same for any test, procedure or treatment no matter where it takes place. If a CAT scan is ordered on my shoulder, the price should be the same all across the country. If a specific blood test is ordered by my doctor, the cost should be the same in a hospital or in a local private clinic. If I have 12 visits for my physical therapy for my broken leg, the cost should be the same no matter where I go for therapy.
I realize, that some people would call my idea the beginning of socialized medicine, and that others would argue that you should be able to go to the most expensive place you want if it means getting better care, but the system we have now is just not working. Many of the doctors we see also own a piece of the labs or therapy clinics we go to, so not only are they making money from our office visits, they are making money on the tests they order as well. If you’re a doctor, how cool is that.
If you have an opinion, tell us about it, let others know how you think, share your feelings. If you want to let your government officials know how you feel, then send them a letter through www.directcomplaint.com.
Who’s minding the store?
I was at Best Buy the other day, to get the serial number for an Apple computer that was stolen from my daughter’s car. She made the mistake of leaving the computer in her car over night, and in the big city, that’s a no no.
I gave the clerk at Best Buy the information he needed to look up my computer purchase, and in no time at all, he found it. I mean he found my purchase, but not the serial number. Apparently, the serial number of the computer is not kept by the store. According to the clerk, the serial number was only on the box the computer came in, or on the recovery disk that came with the computer.
I explained to the clerk, that the Boston PD wanted it to see if the computer is in any pawn shops, but he still insisted that Best Buy didn’t have the number. I explained to the clerk that I was sent into the store by the corporate customer service department, who told me that the serial number is only kept on file in the local stores, and not in the Best Buy corporate offices. According to the clerk, I was given wrong information by the corporate office. The bottom line is no serial number, no chance of getting back the computer.
I would have thought that in today’s world of tracking and accountability that the store would be more diligent in their record keeping, but apparently I was wrong. I would have thought that Apple Computer Company would have required Best Buy to keep the serial numbers of the computers sold, if for no other reason then for accounting and inventory control, but I was wrong again. I would have thought that the serial number would have been printed on the receipt, or the extended service plan for easy tracking, but I would still be wrong.
It seams to me that stores like Best Buy should be required to keep records of the serial numbers of big ticket items like computers if for no other reason, then to be able to prove that the computers sold did not come off of the back of some truck high jacked three months ago. The store was glad to sell me the computer, and take my money, but apparently, that is where their responsibility to me and to Apple Computer ends. The next time my daughter buys a new computer; I will have to insist that she keep the box.
If this is the new way of doing business, we will all end up with a store room full of empty boxes just to prove that every thing we own is really ours.
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I want to be a bill collector.
I understand, that getting a letter or a call from a collections agency can be a frightening experience, and that some collectors and their agencies cross the line in an attempt to collect a debt, but for all the bad ones out there we should remember, there are more and more of them cleaning up their act, and following their state and federal laws. As much as I don’t like some of the tactics that a few of them use, we have to keep in mind that there is an enormous amount of pressure on the collectors and their companies to bring in the money for their clients. If they don’t deliver the money, they won’t get more work, and like any other business, from a business point of view, it’s all about the reputation and level of service they provide for their clients.
Let’s face it; most collectors are probably nice people. They usually work for lower wages, and their only way to make any money is by getting a commission. They are expected to “sound” like they know the law, when in fact, many collectors are only high school graduates. The collectors take and receive as many as two hundred calls a day, listening to every possible story we can imagine as to why the person on the other end of the phone got into trouble, or why they simply don’t have the money to pay. They listen to people who are stricken with cancer, in an alcohol treatment program, divorced with three children, and in today’s world, many people who are out of work, and just trying to survive. I would like to give most collectors the benefit of the doubt, and believe that the majority of them really do care. About their fellow person on the other end of the phone.
Collections are regarded as a fast paced high pressure position, and most collectors don’t last more then a few years. They often receive few benefits from their employers for doing a thankless job. Sometimes, we need to cut them a little slack, that is as long as they don’t try and bully us around.
If a collector is nice to you, and willing to listen to your story in an attempt to help you set up a payment plan, make a settlement offer, or is willing to go the extra mile to get your account removed from their call and letter campaigns, let them know you appreciate their help. If on the other hand, they are rude condescending or threaten you, immediately file a complaint.
Tell us about your collections stories on our facebook group http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=293613045670 and if you need help with a collections problem, call us at 877-969-3463 or www.directcomplaint.com and go to the Consumer Complaint Center.
The Collections Run Around
Have you ever paid off a bill to a creditor, or to a collections agency, only to have two or three or for or more collections agencies call you demanding payment for the same bill? Even worse, have you ever truthfully insisted that you already paid the bill, but you never saved the canceled checks, or proof of payment?
When you owe money to a creditor or business, and you send in the money just before the last deadline date, it’s often too late. It can take the business up to ten days to record your payment, and by then your account has been referred out to a collections agency. That’s where your problems begin. The original creditor quite often, fails to notify the collections agency of the payment, and when you contact the original creditor, they will tell you it is now out of their hands, and that you must talk to the collections agency. The collections agency will tell you that they will contact the original creditor for verification, but they don’t really bother.
If the first collections company can’t collect on a bill you have already paid, it will eventually get sent to a second agency, and the paid bill just keeps moving further down the line. Now, because of the failure of the original creditor to do their job responsibly and collections agencies that won’t lift the phone or fax to help you because there is no money involved, your credit is slipping further down the credit score hill to the mud puddle at the bottom.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to keep copies of all of your payments, for several years. This includes all of your money order receipts and bank checks. You should also demand a letter from the original creditor, or collections agency showing that the account has been paid off and is now closed.
Don’t trust the creditor or collections agency to notify the credit bureaus that you have paid off the account. Contact the credit agencies yourself, and send them each a copy of the letter. At www.directcomplaint.com you can do this for free by going to our free services link to each of the credit bureaus.
If a collections agency takes you to court over the payment that you have made, and you have proof, let them. This might give you grounds to sue them for damages later.
If you are not the assertive type, or if you just need help, visit www.directcomplaint.com or call 877-969-3463 for assistance.
How Bill Collectors Get Paid
In most collections companies, the collectors are paid in several different ways. The collector usually receives a base salary, between $9.00 and $20 dollars per hour. Then the collector usually receives a commission of one to three percent of all or part of the money they bring in on a monthly basis. Some companies will even offer their employees a bonus if the collector reaches a pre-set goal, or the entire office reaches their minimum monthly quota set by management.
Most collectors, are required to make at least 125 to as many as 200 calls out a day. Most collection agencies now use an automated dialer system that calls the debtor, and brings up the file on the computer screen. Usually, before the “debtor” is sent a letter or called, the collection agency has already pulled the credit report, employment history, and validated the most up to date address and phone numbers available via their national data bases, and industry designed search engines. The pre verification process, or “skip tracing” is designed to give the collector all the information available about you before they make that first call to your home or place of work.
Some collections agencies only service accounts in their own state, and have their own in-house legal department for the cases that end up going to court. Interstate collections agencies often retain attorneys licensed in each state where collections are taking place. Unfortunately, many of the attorneys who work for, or represent collections agencies show up in court with very little or in-accurate information provided to them from the collections agency. Often, the attorney doesn’t even have the authorization to offer you a settlement or workable payment plan. It’s really a big game, the attorneys get paid from $20 to $50 for each case called before the court, but they usually can’t even help resolve the collection complaint. This is more a tactic designed to scare the debtor because they are in a legal environment surrounded by people in suits. Most debtors stand a better chance of getting a settlement or low payment plan if they go before the judge or magistrate, so don’t be scared.
There are generally two types of collectors, and two types of collections agencies. There are agencies and collectors who believe in aggressively attacking and verbally abusing the debtors into a state of fear in order to get the money as quickly as possible. If you are ever faced with a collector like this, report them and their company to your states Attorney Generals office, or to the Federal Trade Commission. If you can, record the conversations. Most agencies are however beginning to use a more gentle kinder softer approach to get you to agree to pay off your “bad debt”. This is partly because states and the federal government are both clamping down on agencies who conduct bad practices and because collections agencies are finely realizing that being nice and more understanding actually does pay off.
No one wants to ever get a call or letter from a collections agency, but it will inevitably happen to most of us at least once. Collections agencies are slowly realizing that just like any other call center or internet based form of business, friendly responsible reliable customer service is what brings in the big bucks.
As a consumer, even faced with a collections company sending you nasty letters, or making friendly courtesy calls to your home or work, you do have options, and the power is still in your hands. Use it.
For more information, www.directcomplaint.com or call 877-969-3463, or e-mail us at support@directcomplaint.com
Don’t let collection agencies scare you!
I hate it when collection agencies call people and make threats, or offer payment plans that people can’t possibly keep. All too often, the collection call or letter will put fear and fright into a persons mind.
The fact is, collections agencies are suppose to adhere to specific federal and state standards, (FDCPA) Fair Dept Collections Practices Act established by the federal government, but many of them use tactics that go way beyond what the laws allow. Often, when an agency can not collect from you, the account is given to another more aggressive agency that will stop at almost nothing to get your money. In some cases, the agency calling you is a scam. They get your information from credit reports, or boxes of collection agency reports improperly discarded.
Here are a few suggestions I recommend when you are first contacted by a collection agency.
Keep an accurate record of the agency name, the callers name and ID number, and the time and date of the call or each letter you receive.
If you don’t believe the bill is yours, send them a letter or e-mail requesting all of their supporting documentation, including original credit applications if applicable. This is not only your write, but a legal requirement if requested. Remember to keep copies of any letters or e-mails you send to the agency.
If you don’t want to be called at home or at work, send them a letter, e-mail or fax to let them know. If you tell the agency in righting, they have to stop the calling.
Never, and I mean never give anyone your Social Security number, date of birth, or banking information. Ask the caller what they have for information, and only verify the accuracy. Do not correct the information if it is incorrect, just politely tell the collector it’s not accurate, but don’t ever correct it for them. Scam artists will often use the information YOU provide to gain access to your credit or banking information.
If the letter or especially the caller is threatening or rude, contact the original creditor, and file a complaint about their collection practices.
Don’t panic if they threaten or begin legal action. If you don’t owe the money, can’t make the payments they offer you, or even if the bill is not yours, and you can prove it, you stand a much better chance going in front of a judge or clerk magistrate.
If you are on a fixed income, such as Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or public assistance, offer to send the agency proof of your limited income. Federal law and the laws of some states prohibit collection agencies from using certain public or government assistance as a form of repayment.
Lastly, if you have already made payments to the original creditor, or another collection agency, offer to send proof of your payments, but only after you verify that the company is a legitimate collection agency. To do this, you can check with your states Attorney Generals office, or your states consumer protection agency.
If you need help, or an advocate to help you, you can call us at 877-969-3463, or log on to www.directcomplaint.com to fill out a Collections Complaint form in our Consumer Complaint Center, or send us an e-mail at www.support@directcomplaint.com
As a consumer, even when it comes to collections, the power is in your hands, use it.
Customer Service, always get their name.
Why is it, that when we call a customer service center, the representatives are often un-willing to give us their names or the name of the state or country where they are located?
Could it be that the policy of the company is to not be consumer friendly, or that the representative doesn’t want to give us the information because if they give us wrong information, or can’t help us, they don’t want to get in trouble?
Even if we get the representative to give us their name and or location, we truly don’t know if it is correct. I mean, it’s hard to believe a person who says they are in India, or Thailand, when they say their name is Jack or Jill. Even if the representative offers us their “ID” number, the chances of it being correct are generally low, and if they don’t make any notes in the computer, or give us a confirmation call number, we can unfortunately assume that their will never be a record of our telephone call.
I recommend that when you call customer service with a problem or complaint, that you begin each conversation by calmly asking the rep. for their name, ID number, and state or country of the service center you are calling.
If they refuse to give it to you, calmly ask for the supervisor, and tell the representative that you don’t want to be placed on hold, or put into a voice mail box. When you are transferred to a “supervisor” ask the person the same aforementioned questions, and if they are a supervisor. Unfortunately, many customer service reps. will just dump your call back into their call system. If this happens, immediately ask to be connected to a supervisor, get the name, and try again.
You can also post your complaint for free at http://wwwdirectcomplaint.com on the consumer poster board, and let the world know how you feel.
If you would like to know more about customer service telephone etiquette that is: suppose to make your call a pleasurable experience,
Airlines and Baggage
I was packing my bag for a trip to Florida, when it occurred to me that I had some items that might be broken if they were not wrapped securely.
I decided to repack my bag, carefully placing the wrapped breakables between layers of clothing. I was careful, but guess what; my bag was thrown around by the Delta baggage handlers when it was off loaded. How do I know this? My friend saw my bag tossed out of the plane and fly through the air before it landed not so softly on the hard ground.
At the time, I didn’t have a complaint company like http://www.directcomplaint.com behind me, and the airline refused to admit that they were careless. It took me three months, and at least 20 phone calls before they agreed to send me a check for $400 to compensate me for my broken items.
The airlines want our business, but then when they make mistakes, they won’t take correct measures to make things right. If it were only as easy as getting a voucher for giving up a seat on an over booked flight, we all would be very happy.
Airport Screening and Profiling
How would you feel if you were subjected to profiling because of your race or country of origin every time you flew? If you knew that it was being done to help prevent terrorists from getting on a plane and possibly killing you, would you mind then?
As we know, most, but not all of the terrorism plots we are told about originate from the middle east, Pakistan, Nigeria, and a small hand full of countries in the same region of the world.
Keeping in mind, that terrorists come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, usually speak English, and can be from any socio economic background, should we still profile?
It’s ironic that the countries who we are supporting with money and troops are among the most vocal speaking out against profiling. We are giving up our tax dollars, and more importantly, we are putting lives on the line to help those countries protect their own citizens from terrorism and religious fanatics.
Personally, I support profiling, not because I think it will necessarily save lives, but because it will hopefully keep us all more aware of the sacrifices we make, and the lives we have lost to hold on to the freedom that we enjoy.
If you want to learn more, follow the links.
Airport Screening
Going through airline screening is quickly becoming more intrusive, but there are plenty of things you can do to make the process faster and easier.
When you are packing your carry on bags, think security. Pack only what you are prepared to have another person see and possibly examine. Remind yourself to have your liquids in three ounce containers, and placed in a closed plastic bag. Check your identification to be sure it is up to date, and keep it in a place that is easily accessible.
Try to remember that all of the airport and restaurant employees who work on the other side of the screening stations have to go through the process every day. For more information visit the link provided.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm
liquid limitations
