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Damned kids! I was sure I had everything up. The repeat dead phone calls had stopped. So... who was this? They have figured out how to call without it leaving a trace on my phone, other than in a temporary file. This one has called two or three times just today. I was asleep so didn't hear any but that last. I grabbed the phone and had to monkey with button pushing to finally figure out who was calling. Unlike what usually happens, I did actually get instructions and there was something on the other end. It eventually led to a human, a woman. Carly.
A bit put out? Hmm, yes. But mostly contained. "Urhm, you know this call is being recorded", she asked. Hell yeah I know. Who is this, what is this? It turns out this is that old medical bill from the emergency room. In two years(?) it has morphed from $450 to $1200. Wish I could charge interest like that! I explained the problem, my health situation and limitations, and then let her talk. They do have a V.A. specialist. So... why I asked, the last time I talked to someone about this, was that service not used? And why am I getting call after call after call? One thing at a time. She told me she was taking over the case, so I would receive no calls but from her. Check. Then, she said she would send this over to her Veterans specialist. At 100% permanent and total, service connected, I don't pay emergency room visits. The hospital ganked the billing anyway. I have been there two other times, and they KNOW I'm a vet. They billed the other visits to the V.A., without my help. Every time I have tried to help it was taken out of my hands anyway, so I don't get involved anymore. Okay, no calls, dealing with one person, V.A. will be being checked... good, so far, for what it is worth. Then I asked, if the V.A. picks this up, will this come off my credit report? Yes. But I will have to keep on top of that (meaning a call every six months until I am sure it worked, and probably a credit report proving it). Bleh.
Well, I had just awaken so I wasn't even awake when dealing with that. My IRE is up, but I am still not awake. Such a weird biological place for me that... it's like trying to see through one right and one wrong lens in a pair of glasses. I'm a bit dizzy and nauseated from it. But... if it takes care of the problem, it will be worth it. Damned kids. Can't pick meat off bones anyway.
Later.
After I got laid off, Denise and I began arranging our credit card ducks in a row. One bank in particular didn't want to negotiate a structured payment schedule with us. It was going to be Their Way or the Highway.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say Denise called their bluff, correctly surmising that the bank could either play ball with us and get what they could when it was available, or get Squadoo by tossing me into chokey.
As of this writing our credit card situation is rather nicely tidied up (and the prison gates have yet to slam shut on me).
There are laws against harassment, and as you understood, their are the laws of economic physics. One law is ignored, they do harass. The other law can't be ignored, thankfully. What I don't understand, in this case, is why the hospital ignored full payment for a small chunk. Smaller yet, as the V.A. won't pay the $1,200. They will FORCE the original cost, probably without interest, being that the hospital knew but even without that. Government, so... because! No one is going to get squat out of this.
ReplyDeleteFurther, as 100%, they can't touch my account or even put a lien on my home, car, or anything purchased with that income... which is my only income and has been for decades. But they can muck up my credit report... for a while. Physics...
I, like you, have no problems paying my bills, at least when I can stand up and stay awake, have the money, and an obligation. Legalistic, perhaps, but... Imagine what you would have gone through without your wife to... help... though? Gah! Damned vultures. If you aren't dead they will try to make you dead it seems.
i once got calls like that over 14 flippin' dollars.
ReplyDeleteNow imagine it was $14 dollars you didn't owe, foam! *gggrrrrwwwwllll*
ReplyDelete