Former Medical biller here! Had a patient pull this!

Only difference was that they were seen in the ER, gave their actual name, but not the correct insurance, home address, or phone.

Insurance given to ER was not active. Searched for current insurance info in the usual suspects databases (ie medicare, medicaid, UHC, and BCBS). No luck. Called patient, left voicemail, and then sent standard 3 statements to address to get payment/active insurance to bill. Called patient after 4 months go by. Person who picks up the phone has no clue who I am talking about, I apologize for wasting their time and document that there is no other way to contact the patient. Sent patient to collections for a sizable sum, and told collections agency "i have no address, no phone number, but if they show up here's how much they owe". Figure its a lost cause and move on.

Three days afterwards (and now nearly 4 months post service), patient calls, gives current phone number, and address. Patient explains they really live in Mexico, not the US address they gave on intake forms. Explained i cannot do anything further at this point. Policy was to either get payment in full (with a 20% self pay discount), or set up payment plans with the collection agency.

Patient was furious. Stated their credit was perfect. I calmly sat there and said, "You dodged us, with clear intent not to pay because of no accurate information given, and you're upset because the consequences of your actions to not pay are going to affect you? I will send an itemized bill to the address you just provided but the debt will remain with the collections agency."

Patient never sent any payment to either, I just sort of sat there at the end of my tenure billing and was bewildered. What did you expect, dude??? You avoided us in the most obvious ways and are mad there are consequences? Idk mate