1y ago

Got A Bill in the Mail Charging $3700 for Covid tests

Background: I was in high school (public) and our school just got back from quarantine, and had everybody to take a mandatory covid test every week. Our teachers rounded us up and these people swabbed and tested us. We didn't sign anything, we didn't ask for this, we were just told to line up and do it.

Now that was last school year, just this week I received a bill from MEDLAB2020 sent to my home with my full name and my insurance information telling me to pay $3700 for that year of weekly COVID tests. Now, I thought this was free, being in a public school and not having signed or agreeing to anything. So I guess I'll just call the school up the following Monday or something because I'm not paying this.

I did find a post with pretty much the same situation https://www.reddit.com/r/COVID19positive/comments/10alt16/received_a_billing_email_from_medlab2020/

Edit: I previously made a post in c/california but wanted to post here to see if I would get more traction. Yes, I live in the US of A if it wasn't obvious.

https://lemm.ee/post/1239037

27 comments

Pro Tip: Whoever MedLab2020 is will need just one student to pay to make the whole thing profitable. However, the whole thing is illegal and I’m sure a lawyer would love to build a class action if the company has money to go after.
TL;DR: Don’t pay this. Let them go to collections then dispute the collection with all three bureaus. When you dispute, they need to document the debt, for which, there is no documentation / agreement you’ve entered into.
- The thing is, it looks pretty legit. All the days that are charged in the bill were the days that we got tested. They've got the bill properly done and includes my full name and insurance so it seems believable. So I there's two ways I can see what this is: 1) It's legitmate and maybe there are payment disputes 2) It's a scam, which means somebody got all this info from a data breach and made everything look nice and is targeting me.
  I don't know how to go about this to get this issue resolved though. Since this all originated from the school, I'm gonna see if I can get in touch with them and see if they have any clue what this is.
  
  But did you sign anything agreeing to this debt?

Yeah, no.
First of all, you can't enter into a contract as a minor when the terms are unfavorable and unfair..
You could also argue that you were forced into it under duress.
Finally, contract requires offer and acceptance. You were told to with no option to reject.
I would ask back where you agreeded, and you would like to engage a lawyer. See how they respond.
- I was going to get in touch with a lawyer first but my mom told me to contact the school first. So if I can get it settled with the school then it will be less painful to deal with.
  
  Good idea. It's very likely a scammer.

Sounds like somebody got a copy of the test records and they be scammin'
- Good idea.
  Don't pay
- This is l8kely what's happening, OP. check with your school and tell them whats going on

If you want to send the creditor a letter, send this, preferably certified with return receipt. It should be sent within 30 days of receiving the notice. Please note where you have to fill in information. If they attempt to threaten or intimidate you, tell them you are going to consult your attorney, and any further contact with them is made through your attorney, and cut off contact. DO NOT GIVE THE CREDITOR ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION THEY DO NOT ALREADY HAVE, including your phone number, any other address, name of your employer, etc. Make them prove you owe the debt, because the onus is on them, not you.
Your name
Your address
Your city, Your state Your zip (the MAILING ADDRESS)
Month Date, Year
Name of Collector (the COLLECTION AGENCY)
Address of Collector
City of Collector, State of Collector Zip of Collector
Dear Collector,
I (the “INQUIRER”) am writing in regards to notice number notice number here (the “COLLECTION NOTICE”) and the alleged debt appearing on the notice (THE “DEBT”). The INQUIRER is providing the COLLECTION AGENCY the MAILING ADDRESS solely for the purpose for your response to this inquiry regarding the COLLECTION NOTICE. The INQUIRER will only accept communications from the COLLECTION AGENCY by the MAILING ADDRESS. By requesting VALIDATION INFORMATION from the COLLECTION AGENCY, the INQUIRER does not admit to or acknowledge owing the DEBT, or any other debts, to the COLLECTION AGENCY, the CREDITOR, or any other party. The INQUIRER hopes to resolve this matter amicably.
The COLLECTION NOTICE indicates that SERVICES were rendered by Name of Entity providing Services on the date date of services The following information is requested regarding the SERVICES:
What is the name and address of the original CREDITOR?
Provide an itemized list of the SERVICES, including a description of the services provided, the amount owed for the services, the dates the services were performed, and contact information for further question about the charges.
Provide copies of the original statements from the original CREDITOR regarding the DEBT that includes any and all charges included in the total amount of the DEBT, and any payments CREDITOR has received towards payment of the DEBT including payments from insurance companies, and any notice that billed insurance refused to pay for the SERVICES.
Provide copies of any contracts or forms, including valid signatures, between the CREDITOR and the INQUIRER that alleges to obligate the INQUIRER to the CREDITOR to pay the DEBT.
Provide proof that the COLLECTION AGENCY has the authority to collect the DEBT on behalf of the CREDITOR, so that payment of the DEBT discharges the DEBT, and that the COLLECTION AGENCY can produce a valid, legal, and binding letter upon receipt of payment of the DEBT that discharges the DEBT indicated by the COLLECTION NOTICE unconditionally and in whole, and that the CREDITOR and COLLECTION AGENCY relinquish in whole and in perpetuity their rights to collect the DEBT indicated by the COLLECTION NOTICE.
Your prompt and courteous response regarding this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Your Name

Talk to the school. It is probably a scam and the school should make an announcement before someone falls for it

What are other people in your school saying about it?
It's likely a fishing expedition, seeing who will pay
- I contacted a couple of my friends and they said they haven't received anything. The only info I have is from that Reddit thread I found while researching these charges
  
  Could be a scam. Send a semi-believable bill to all students you can look up for something you know they all received in school. Wait for the gullible ones to pay. The non-gullible ones direct their rage at the school and not you. Collect whatever money you can and disappear.

Don't pay it. Call them once a day and yell at them. Might as well get the hang of this now.
I pay no medical bills. That is what insurance is for.

Jesus Christ!
I'd be spitting fire!
- When I get a bill that's clearly illegal I usually just lol and shred it

What year was it done? Up until recently it was federally required for all insurance to cover COVID tests, including rapid tests with NO copay.
In California insurance is still required to cover all COVID testing with no copay. But this doesn't apply if it is a private plan through your job for example.
Back in 2021 I had a urgent care clinic pull this shit, fighting to get me to pay $300 for a test and refusing me to give an itemized bill. That did not end well for them after I called my insurance and told them about that. Ended up paying them $0 and my insurance paid them like $7 cause it was a rapid test. I had anthem back when that happened.
- This was done last year, 2022. I do have insurance so I'm not as worried, if this is legit, they would probably pay for it. However, this was a mandatory test on school campus and it was never brought up that they would bill us.
  
  They might just have the wrong insurance info or wrong birthday or something when they did the billing. It should be $0

Covid tests cost money? Did they even want to stop it?

Never believe when someone tell you its free. Worst scenario you refuse to pay and they send someone to break your legs, and isn't a joke.

27 comments