Caught in a Health Care Billing Nightmare: Washington Woman Fights Double Billing

We expect a certain level of accuracy, especially when it comes to our medical bills. But for one Washington State woman, what should have been a routine surgery turned into a frustrating battle over double billing—a battle that now involves a collection agency.

Jamie Holmes had surgery in 2019 to have her tubes tied, a birth control procedure her insurance agreed to cover, she told KFF News. During the operation, the surgeon found early stages of endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue grows not just inside the uterus, but on other organs as well. Holmes said the surgeon cauterized the tissue as a precaution and assured her she would not be charged for the procedure since it did not exceed the time allowed for a tubal ligation. 

Unfortunately, the bill arrived suggesting that she’d undergone two operations. Holmes was charged $4,810 – twice.

“I thought a quick call would clear it up,” she shared. “But instead of getting answers, I ended up with a collection agency on my back.”

Holmes refused to pay for the portion insurance wouldn’t cover and the bill was sent to collections. “It’s hard enough to deal with surgery and recovery. The last thing you need is to worry about bills you don’t even owe.”

Eventually, the case went to court, with the collections agency asking for summary judgment, where it would garnish Holmes’ wages. A judge denied that request, and, as of today, the collections agency hasn’t come after Holmes again, but if it does, she said she will get a lawyer and fight back.

So, what can you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? First, don’t ignore the bill—reach out to your health care provider’s billing department right away. Keep detailed records of all communications, and don’t be afraid to ask for written confirmation of any corrections. If the issue isn’t resolved, consider seeking help from a patient advocacy group or even a lawyer who specializes in medical billing disputes.

Have you ever had to fight an inaccurate bill? Were you successful? Share your story with use here.