[wildthing]

Wanted to get perspectives from the Pelican brain trust. Here's a quick history.

Hospital has old record of my wife's info, having given birth in that hospital 5 years ago.

Last year, we went for another delivery. At the ER, wife gave all NEW information. We have since moved and changed jobs. All this while she was under stress from preterm labor and high blood pressure.

A day later we were transferred to a sister hospital that had the right facilities. Gave all the new info again to this hospital and all was well.

Didn't hear anything from the old hospital until a few weeks ago when the "debt" was now with a collector.

Collector seems ok to deal with so far, however is trying to collect $1,500. Not chump change, especially after paying about twice that already to the sister hospital as co-pay.

Wife calls old hospital, finds out they DIDN'T have the right address, they were billing my OLD insurance, sending bills to the OLD address. Finally billed MediCal (which I assume is for those unable to pay and without insurance).

Collector is willing to negotiate down to 1K if paid this month.

But out of principle I am inclined to say no, because the old hospital screwed up.

What say you?