Business ProfileforBariatric Medicine Institute

Received a statement from BMI on 3/3/23 for $26105.51 from surgery on 12/02/19. I left a voicemail on 3/3/23 at 12:47 stating I hoped this was a computer error. I heard nothing back. On 3/8/23 I stumbled upon an email sent that day stating that they've been trying to contact me & if I didn't forward a check my insurance sent me for $512.87, there would be further legal actions & billed $26105.51. I emailed right back that I didn't like the threatening tone of the email & that I had already contacted them. Dee called the next morning & apologized for the email. We talked about the questions I brought up and that I would research the check. We made plans to talk the next Wed 3/15 at 11am. I called that morning & reschedule to 3pm. Prior to talking that day, I spent over an hour w/BCBS researching the check. They did send one in Jan of 2020. I spent 40 minutes w/AFCU researching the check. It was deposited. I and my husband don't remember anything of this. It's been over 3 years! Prior to surgery, I had done my due diligence to confirm the hospital & anesthesia was in-network. BMI was in-network & BCBS would cover at 100%. I don't remember expecting any type of bill. This bill is for an out-of-network surgery assistant they slipped in. Can BMI do this without my consent? I assume the check was deposited thinking we'd pay BMI when we got the bill. It never came until March 2023! Dee acknowledged my questions and concerns again and stated she would research why this is just now coming up. I didn't hear from Dee again but returned a missed call from a Marion on 3/22. She was very rude. Due to the 3-yr lapse, I asked for a discount as $512.87 isn't just sitting in checking anymore. After "going to bat for me" she absolutely refused...I could pay the balance in full, or we were done talking & she'd send it to collection for the $26105.51 balance. Long story short, I paid half the balance and emailed Dee that night as I didn't have Marion's email. I've heard nothing since.