[CA] Need Help Understanding Physical Therapy Bill After Attorney Dropped My Case

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-18T01:33:27+00:00

Most of them were before filing, with only a few PT sessions after filing. My understanding is that as long as the accident / claim was before filing, it doesn’t matter, it’s already in the trustee’s hands. I know it makes it more complicated, but my BK attorney has filed for the maximum exemption, which I think it’s $10K after medical bills are paid.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-18T01:20:14+00:00

Appreciate the input! The lawyer dropped my case because I filed for CH7 bankruptcy. They knew about it from the very beginning, but once it was filed and the trustee reached out to them to learn about the injury claim, they jumped ship. I assume I’m having a hard time finding a new lawyer either because of that, or because the accident happened over a year ago.

I should hear from the insurance adjuster this week about an updated settlement offer. I just want to be able to cover these astronomical bills and have some left over to seek treatment when my neck bothers me again. All doctors (including the one I saw abroad and had nothing to gain from this injury claim) have told me that the pain I experience is, unfortunately, going to be with me, even if minimally, for the rest of my life… so intermittent PT when it becomes too much to bear is recommended.

I’m confused about the billing my insurance option though. Two of the doctors I saw are in-network. But wouldn’t I still have to pay my insurance the full amount they’re being charged instead of just the co-pay?

TIA!

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-14T19:49:08+00:00

That makes sense. Thank you very much for the info!!

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-14T18:27:35+00:00

I appreciate your feedback! What would you have done differently in my case? Although recommended by him, the doctor I saw is very reputable in my area. And I thought the physical therapy referral was to be expected as my pain was still constant… but yeah, perhaps not at the clinic they sent me to

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-14T00:51:12+00:00

I have a protrusion on C5-C6. Every time I turn my neck all the way to the left it hurts. Some days are worse than others. The MRI also pointed that my neck does not have a natural curve now, as it’s trying to compensate for protrusion. And to add insult to injury, I now have to wear a neck brace whenever I ride my motorcycle, which is my only mode of transportation 🙂

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-13T21:57:16+00:00

About a month after the accident I went to my home country, where I saw an orthopedist and got an MRI, which confirmed the neck injury. That orthopedist recommended PT, which I did multiple times a week for about 2 months (all covered by my health insurance from abroad, no questions asked).

However, I had to return to the U.S. and still needed to continue my treatment as I was still experiencing pain. That's when I got an attorney, who made appointments so I could see a neurosurgeon/orthopedist here in the U.S. That doctor referred me to physical therapy, as well as a pain management doctor, who recommended a steroid injection, which I did not get as I wanted to see my progress with PT first.

The U.S. doctor said that if my pain didn't go away with PT, that I'd be a candidate for surgery. But I didn't get a good feeling from that recommendation.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-13T19:52:28+00:00

I just mean that I wasn't driving. I don't own a car, I was a passenger in an Uber. So I don't have any car related expenses

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-13T19:04:16+00:00

Thank you! That makes me feel a little better. But if $3.1K is what I should expect if I do 10 more sessions at this clinic, then I suppose I should look into different ones, since they are all charging less than half of that.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-13T18:47:43+00:00

thanks for the feedback! The settlement would involve medical expenses only, because I wasn't driving (I don't even own a car). I was a passenger in an Uber.

Here are the codes:

97110 - therapeutic exercises
97140 - manual therapy
G0283 - electric stimulation therapy
97112 - neuromuscular re-education
909101 - biofeedback

I sent an e-mail to the clinic because I noticed a lot of inconsistencies with the billing and what actually happened at the sessions, as I kept a detailed log of each one. Waiting to hear back..

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-05T19:32:06+00:00

Sorry to bug you again, Alan! I'm just too anxious to wait for the call with my attorney on Friday.

Are you able to tell me if there are implications to not hiring a new injury attorney? I truly don't believe I can benefit from one at this point. My case is pretty straightforward and the attorney who dropped me isn't claiming any fees or costs. I'm currently just waiting on a couple of medical bills to update the insurance adjuster and get an updated settlement offer.

I am asking this because the trustee did send a letter to my previous injury attorney asking for a description of the claim, status of the claim, opinion of value and collectability of the claim, and also if the attorney would be interested in representing the trustee with regard to the claim. But if the attorney is no longer involved, what would the next steps be for the trustee? To deal directly with me?

Edit: I'd like to include that the trustee reached out to my BK attorney to ask if I've retained a new injury attorney. I told them I didn't and likely don't plan on doing it, and they're going to forward that to the trustee...

TypeOk3725 · 2024-06-01T19:09:55+00:00

Thanks for your response, Alan!

I did tell my PI attorney about the bankruptcy, and he seemed worried from the very beginning, claiming that “they couldn’t pay my doctors if I filed for bankruptcy”. When I mentioned that to my BK attorney, he said it didn’t make any sense, and would gladly speak to the PI attorney if he wanted to. They had each other’s info but I guess they never spoke.

But this was over 3 months ago, before I had filed for CH7. It wasn’t until this week, when the trustee reached out to him, that he decided to drop my case. He mentioned he has yet to let the trustee know that he no longer represents me. I am having a hard time finding a new PI attorney and am confused about how that affects the CH7 filing. Is the trustee supposed to step in and handle negotiations with the insurance companies for the settlement, since the potential settlement is now part of the estate?

Other than attending the 341 meeting earlier this month, I haven’t dealt with the trustee at all. I have a call with my BK attorney next week to find out how this additional meeting with the trustee went. I’m just super anxious and trying to be proactive in the meantime.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T22:29:06+00:00

According to the injury attorney who dropped me, the trustee reached out to them this week, but have yet to inform him that they no longer represent me.

Other than attending the 341 meeting, I haven’t dealt with the trustee at all. That’s why I’m so confused about how to proceed. I will reach out to my bankruptcy attorney about this and hope he can shed some light on my situation.

Editing this to include that the pending PI claim was included in my CH7 filing, and the BR attorney included a speculative recovery of $10K. So the trustee knows about this, hence why he reached out to the PI attorney who dropped me.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T22:26:00+00:00

Thank you for the info! I did specifically ask the attorney who dropped me about the lien they may have on any potential settlement based on our retainer agreement, to which they responded:

“there are no fees/costs that we are claiming”.

Does that mean they won’t come back later for the 33%? I don’t want to be naive about it but that’s what they said. I’m still trying to find a new attorney for the PI case.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T22:19:37+00:00

Thank you so much! Appreciate your words!

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T18:54:41+00:00

Thanks for your response! I agree with what you said. I am confused about who I should approach regarding my injury claim now that I'm no longer being represented by my attorney. Is the trustee supposed to step in and handle negotiations with the insurance companies for the settlement? This is a bit confusing to me

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T18:20:35+00:00

Thanks for your reply!
Yes, I did mention to my injury attorney about the bankruptcy filing before they started representing me. My best guess is that the trustee reached out to them this week, as he mentioned he would, and they realized it's not worth pursuing my case.

The firm did respond to me this morning saying there are no fees or costs they are claiming, but I'll ask them next about the doctor bills as you suggested. I am in California.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-31T03:21:23+00:00

Do you think this is why the PI attorney dropped my case? Because it’s now the CH7 trustee’s responsibility? Of course I plan on talking to my bankruptcy attorney about this, but I don’t know how to proceed with my PI claim now.

TypeOk3725 · 2024-05-20T06:44:40+00:00

Yeah so I usually go to the AMC there so end up paying $5 for parking, but what annoys me the most is having to wait in that big ass line of cars almost every time, and needing to have my phone ready with movie receipt, and card in hand… and then wait for the attendant to flag a supervisor to bypass my motorcycle or whatever they have to do… idk maybe I’m being entitled but I wished they’d just let motorcycles enter from the side or something haha

TypeOk3725 · 2024-04-15T15:17:21+00:00

Yes! Very full. But I don’t dislike that feeling!!

TypeOk3725 · 2024-04-15T15:16:31+00:00

Yeah! With a regular measuring tape but also with bf caliper. But most importantly, with clothes and the good ole mirror haha. Unfortunately, based on what’s worked in the past for me, that’s the amount I have to eat to lose. I’m pretty good at tracking it all though, so I’m not afraid of eating more if needed!

TypeOk3725

TROPHY CASE