Complaint Review: Columbia Mental Health

Columbia Mental Health is a company in Connecticut that uses a person's medical handicap against them for financial gain. A missed appointment leads to a $70 charge which is then sent to multiple billing agencies to recover. In my own personal experience, an appointment was missed in May 2011, the bill was paid by credit card in May 2011. In June 2011, a collections letter was received and in July 2011 I was asked to pay it yet again. (Please note that I have not used their services since April 2011).

The Patient:

1. First, Receives a Bill for $70
2. Second, Receives a "Collections Letter" for $70 via Postal Mail
3. Third, Appears at their Appointment and is informed about an Outstanding Bill of $70
*Upon calling both billing phone numbers, they are told that their $70 balance remains*

Clearly, this means that a patient can be charged 3 times unknowingly. In addition, they do not have the mental competence to realize it.