In some cultures, Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. After the hectic week I had traveling to Austin and back, getting ready for the Expo, and actually working the Expo, I needed a day of rest. I did a little laundry, took Emma for a good run around the compound, and actually finished a good book. Now I just have to package up that book and send it to the person that won it in a little contest I ran a couple of months ago.
Today, I was off early to meet one of the volunteer couples at headquarters. We had to unload all the stuff from the Expo out of the van before they took it to drive it back to Balcones Canyonlands NWR. I decided to let someone else have the opportunity to visit another refuge, rather than drive it back myself. Of course, that decision also meant I didn’t have to come up with another $32 for Emma to stay in the kennel for one night.
After that, I hopped in my refuge truck and headed for the VIS to get a refresher on operating it. I imagine that will be one of my assignments starting next month.
Snowy Egret
Of course, that also gave me the opportunity to take a drive around Shoveler Pond to see what I could see. Tonight’s pics are from that drive.
Common Moorhen
There was heavy fog this morning, and then overcast skies so it wasn’t the best for wildlife viewing. With the still air, it was a bona fide perfect day for mosquitoes however. 
Lots of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks on the Shoveler Pond Auto Tour road this morning.
Over the last two years, I’ve had an off and on battle with a collection agency. Two years ago, when I was last here, I made a trip to the local ER because of my back. They never sent me a bill. Then last February I heard from a collection agency that I owed $349.82 for that visit. I checked my insurance records, and sent them the payment.
Neotropic Cormorant
Fast forward to this summer, when they called again and said I owed an additional $149. I told them I would not pay it unless I had an itemized bill. What I eventually received was a sheet of paper that only said “You owe $149.” Not acceptable. Eventually, they called again, and I repeated my request for an itemized bill. I received that last week. I also once again dug out my medical insurance records from 2011. Those records show that I was responsible for the original $349.82 and nothing more.
So now I’m waiting for them to call again. At which point, I will once again tell them that I have paid the bill in full, and they will not see any more money from me. I plan to win this battle.
THE END!!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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Ah, collection agencies! Don't ya love 'em. "When the revolution comes...." (they're on the list)
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking photos! Oy! You go girl, keep up the fight. You have to watch those people every second.
ReplyDeleteHi Judith:
ReplyDeleteOnce again, beautiful photography. You have an artist's eye for the scene and the perfect shot. You know your animal kingdom. You're in the right place at the right time.
Now about those collection agencies, I'm definitely on your side. Just think of the people who get away with all kinds of debts not paid off and the collection agencies just leave them alone. But, somebody who pays her bills - no, they have to give you a bad time. Stick to your guns!
What beautiful photos of the birds...the cormorant is so clear. I'm glad you didn't have to take the van back and Emma didn't have to go to the kennel.
ReplyDeleteStand your ground with the collection agency.
Wonderful photos as usual. Such close up shots and the detail is so clear. I've had those collection agencies call and I finally just told them "she doesn't live here any more". Never showed up on my credit report so I'm thinking they are just hoping to get a little extra cash. Strange that the ER would lose money on a charges by sending it to collection rather than just send you the bill to pay. No wonder our medical situation is in such a condition.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! Love the cormorant header! A lot! Good luck with the collection battle. We went though something just like that with husband's 98 year old aunt. Hospital said she owed $3K but couldn't tell her what hadn't been covered by her two insurances. We worked 2 years and never did get an itemized bill. They finally stopped calling her. I'm sure there's a collection on her credit but at 98 she doesn't care. You probably don't need to care either, as you're not applying for a mortgage or looking for other credit. But the whole thing just irritates me. If they can't tell you what it's for, then they don't deserve to get the $. I see it all the time in my business (mortgage underwriter). Makes me sad.
ReplyDeletePS: WIsh I lived closer, I'd take Emma for a night any time! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great new header picture!
ReplyDeleteLove the Cormorant shot. It is National Geographic quality. the detail is outstanding. Audubon could not do better.
ReplyDeleteDon't give in to those incompetents who are billing you and won't tell you what it is for. And, unless you plan on buying a house or car soon you need not worry about your credit rating.
Love the Cormorant shot. It is National Geographic quality. the detail is outstanding. Audubon could not do better.
ReplyDeleteDon't give in to those incompetents who are billing you and won't tell you what it is for. And, unless you plan on buying a house or car soon you need not worry about your credit rating.
The cormorant shot is great but I love the snowy egret shot even more. They are such elegant birds. Good luck with the collection agency - stick to your guns.
ReplyDeleteas everyone said cormorant pic is great. I had the exact same scenario. No bill,so I assumed insurance had covered it. Months later I get a call from a 'collection' agency tell me I owed money on the bill. told them same thing never recvd a bill send me an itemized statement. was told we cant do that as one is all that will be sent. After 3rd phone call they said "fine we'll write it off". I'm still not sure this wasnt
ReplyDeletesome kind of scam.
Great pictures and the snowy egret is a favorite to me. Good luck with the bill, you can win this one too!
ReplyDeleteJo
Beautiful birds you have there! That Snowy Egret is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteIf the Hospital didn't bill you directly I certainly wouldn't pay that bill, I would check with them and forget about the collection agency. Sounds funny/strange to me.
Cold wind here today:(
I agree you should be adamant about not paying the bill.
ReplyDeleteI think the mosquito's must follow you around.
ReplyDeleteI hate dealing with medical bills. I finally gave up on one and paid it even though I shouldn't have had to, I felt my sanity was worth more. Good luck. Can your insurance company make a call for you?
Love your photos!!! Stick to your guns, you will beat them at their own game!! Collection agencies....uggggggggggggg
ReplyDeleteI had the same thing with a collection agency due to a hospital emergency room visit - that was covered and paid for by my insurance. I kept calling my insurance each time the collection agency called or mailed me a bill, and they kept saying to have the collection agency call them, and I'd pass the info...but continued to stay in the middle. Finally I told the collection agency that one more call from them would constitute harassment and they'd hear from may lawyer, and maybe the state prosecutor (I don't have a regular lawyer, but I am friend with one of the state prosecutors). That stopped it all. Then another year later, I received a letter in the mail from a lawyer who was representing people in a class action suit against that collection agency! YES! And, of course, WE WON. I got about $300 and didn't have to do anything. I believe consequences is the only thing that properly addresses bad behavior. I'm glad someone with more patience then me went after them. Yippy! Good luck with your situation. And btw, I love Austin. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteSure hope you do win that battle--some battles are worth fighting!! Remember when I fought FedEx and finally won!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and thanks for your important volunteer work at NWRs. I thought you might enjoy my birding and RVing blog, with recent trips to Anahuac and Brazoria NWRs. Both of our blogs are listed on the wonderful Two Greyhound Town blogsite. "Sometimes I Wonder, Sometimes I Wander"
ReplyDeleteHi Judy...for those pesky mosquitoes get a mosquito jacket. We used them when we were at Brazoria last year and they were a godsend. Only place we could find them was on the internet. Just Google 'mosquito jacket' and a few sources will pop up. They are great because they have a hood so your are completely covered from the top of your head to the waist, including your face!
ReplyDeleteOh, oops, never sent you my address, did I? PM'd you! I'm looking forward to read it!
ReplyDeleteThat Cormorant .... so beautiful ... and what a shot!
the header pic of the Cormorant is divine. . .
ReplyDeleteMedical providers, Insurance companies and Collection agencies....if they would learn to communicate, it would be a big help! O maybe a miracle.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the Neotropic Cormorant (as if I even knew what Neotropic meant).
ReplyDeleteWe had similar scam from a collection agency regarding a hospital visit in Palm Springs. I just laughed them off when they called with their threats. It carried on for almost a year before it finally stopped. It was definitely a scam.
Yep, you have to be very pro active on health care these days! Stand firm...I think sometimes they prey on people (like us) over 60, thinking we won't even look and just pay it...I wonder how many other people our age would just pay it and never blink an eye!!
ReplyDelete$32 for a one night stay for Emma? What are they, taking lessons from KOA?
ReplyDeleteFight the good fight. Don't let the jerks get the better of you. You know you're in the right, so stick to your guns. And if you can't find your guns, I'll lend you some... ;c)
Overall that looks like a ducky day:)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as usual. Keep up the good fight.
ReplyDelete