James sent a message to Stephen H. Rusckowski – President and Chief Executive Officer of Quest Diagnostics – Email Address that said:
Mr. Steve Rusckowski,
On March 24th of this year I visited your facility in Rockledge, FL for routine blood work. I was asked by the person at the desk if I had ever visited Quest for lab work. I replied yes, but under other insurance. Originally I was covered by Aetna but since my last visit my insurance had changed to United Healthcare. They requested to make a copy of my insurance information and photo ID. I clearly asked if I was covered under my United Healthcare and was told yes! I did not question if I was out of network and understand that was my error, but your Rockledge facility make no effort to advise me I was out of network. Had I been told that morning I would be billed close to $700 for my visit I would have stopped without question at that point and scheduled an appointment at Labcorp.
In late June I was hit with a $651.59 bill which I'm unable to pay. Your Tampa billing offices refuses to discuss my issues and simply volunteered a $5/month payment plan that will last for almost 11 years when I'll be 72 years old if God willing I'm alive that long. As a one time business owner myself I'm amused that Quest will go through the motions to invoice me $5 monthly for 11 years and then process the payment with any hope that's cost effective for Quest. It's probably costing Quest more than $5 to secure $5/month for 11 years. I'm more than willing to pay a fair negotiated contract rate to make this $651.59 bill go away permanently, otherwise I will faithfully send you 131 payments over the next 11 years to avoid the threat which I've been told by your billing office of immediate full payment if I miss just one of these 131 $5 payments.
I have also since filed complaints with the Florida Attorney General's Office and the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If we can negotiate a fair payment I will withdraw both these complaints. I have a 820 credit score and carefully pay all legitimate bills ahead of their due dates. I am not looking for a free ride. At 61 Ive never encountered such rude and uncaring people as I experienced with your Tampa billing office. Only one person, Jackie, in your Tampa office was professional in trying to help me, but the result is an 11 year odyssey of $5 payments.
Finally Mr. Rusckowski, my lab work this year provided in July by Labcorp has detected a 30-40% chance of prostate cancer, which I'm currently undergoing additional tests to hopefully eliminate the need for aggressive treatment or any cancer at all. Dealing with that health issue and trying to resolve a $651.59 invoice which I truly believe was misleading billing practices is overwhelming. I truly believe your Rockledge office simply answers patients questions with a "yes" despite the fact there's a gotcha attempt to mislead them into tests and costs that the patient's insurance will deny.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
James
