Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound

As a member of Group Health for over 25 years, I have been mostly pleased with the level of care I have received as well as the ability to be seen quickly. I can choose my own general doctor and, with the new record system, all my doctors have immediate access to my records, as do I. Group Health has, however, one of the most ineffcient, incorrectly billing, CREATIVE ACCOUNTING, blood-​pressure-​raising billing systems I have ever, ever encountered. BEWARE: Though your payment may be for a visit/​service, IF you owe any money (at least if they figure you owe money which may NOT be the case) your payment is put toward that «owed billing” — not necessarily the one for which you paid. Then, for two years, Group Health clients had to contend with non-​billing as GHC «installed» its new billing system. A year ago, GHC cranked out the almost two-​years of bills. I was double-​billed, triple-​billed, billed for services I never used! If I inquired about a billing – they had the wrong date. Of course, they were using their creative accounting of application of money, so the actual amount owed was always on their terms. To make matters worse, as they were changing the billings each time I called, they sent the first amount to the collection agency… and then another billing – same one, but different amount – to the collection agency! GHC said the bills were overdue by over a year, but I had just received the two-​years’ worth of bills and was STILL trying to rectify all their errors!!!
And, now, with the new billing system – is there a just cause to relax? Nope!
Several days ago, I received a billing statement dated ²⁄₂₁ for services on ²⁄₁₃ – a co-​pay which it said I hadn’t paid. But I had the check recorded in my checkbook AND I had the receipt. When I called, the supervisor wasn’t «available,» but the customer service helped me — and said, yes, the billing WAS unjustified and that the billing had gone out before my check was posted — 8 days later? If there are problems in transferring payments, why do they send out blood-​pressure-​raising/​tree consuming/​our money consuming statements so soon?
To anyone, especially the elderly who may have billpayers helping them, who is planning on using GHC: Always write a check or note your credit card billing date AND request a receipt and keep that receipt for proof. I have spent over 100 hours, paid my bank for having checks copied – just to keep my credit record clean. Of course, customer service/​billing now blames the «new» billing system. Where is the oversight? I cannot be the only one. Pity the poor person who just pays whatever GHC «prescribes.» AND, I am going to suggest that GHC have a fund to re-​imburse clients/​accountants for their time spent in correcting GHC billing. A group lawsuit might be the only way. And I see it coming.
Cathy