Credit on my dentist account that I cannot convince them is not mine--what now?

[dianne]

In October of last year, I saw a notation at the bottom of my dentist statement that my account had a $66.20 credit. When I asked about it my dentist office said they usually just let it stay there and apply to next balance due or, per customer request, they will issue a refund check. Well, at that time I was not sure I was going to have a job by end of year so I asked for the refund. They happily obliged (and later I found out my job was safe).

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago. I had to have an old filling replaced. At the end of the appointment I see a credit of $66.20 applied to my balance. Even though I didn''t remember the exact amount of the previous credit I was sure it was in the mid-60 dollar range so I asked them to check their books for around October of last year. After a quick check they said there was no record that I had received a refund. I insisted, kindly, that I had--so they agreed to research thoroughly and would let me know.

Today, I get a note in the mail, complete with a smiley face at the end:
"No refund check was listed as being sent to you therefore the $66.20 credit is in fact yours "

Hmmmm.....You ever have those time you just KNOW you are right and can''t let it go? Well, I pulled my October bank statment and what do I see on 10-17-08?--a deposit of $66.20. I knew it!!!

I have always felt that if you kept money you KNEW was not yours it would come back and bite you. Like if someone gives you back too much change and you realize it you should give it back. All I have is my bank statement for proof, and I''m sure they will think I''m crazy, but I feel I should still try to convince them I have been given this credit twice.

What would you do? I know this is such an insignificant problem compared what so many others on this board are dealing with but it just bugs me. Would love to hear your opinions.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Sounds like you already know the answer to your problem. You do not want to take the credit you were already paid for and you have proof you were paid. Take your bank statement in there and show them.

 

[dianne]

Thanks, MC. I think that''s what I''m going to do just to give myself some peace. If, after that, they insist they still owe me the credit I guess I''ll take it. At least I''ll know I''ve done all I can to prove it''s not mine.

 

[mysterylover]

"Credit on my dentist account that I cannot convince them is not mine--what now?"

Schedule a cleaning?

 

[Barcelona]

Date: 6/26/2009 7:26:56 PM
Author:dianne

I have always felt that if you kept money you KNEW was not yours it would come back and bite you. Like if someone gives you back too much change and you realize it you should give it back.

If you don''t feel like making an issue of it, I would donate the amount to a charity that provides for underprivileged children to receive dental care. Then you didn''t really keep it and you made good use of it!

 

[HappyAnniversary]

Gosh Dianne, I wish everybody was as nice as you! I would do just what you were thinking of doing--tell them one more time you really think you received the money, and then if they insist, Gee--keep it. You did your job, they replied with a smiley face, you should get to keep it. Or--you could buy the office a little treat the next time you come for an appt with a little bit of the money, bagels? MMMMM

 

[D&T]

Date: 6/26/2009 11:00:27 PM
Author: HappyAnniversary
Gosh Dianne, I wish everybody was as nice as you! I would do just what you were thinking of doing--tell them one more time you really think you received the money, and then if they insist, Gee--keep it. You did your job, they replied with a smiley face, you should get to keep it. Or--you could buy the office a little treat the next time you come for an appt with a little bit of the money, bagels? MMMMM

ditto.. you tried, oh well they didn''t keep their book keep straight, but just be careful that it might come back a year later or something then they realize that you owe them back?

 

[dianne]

mystery: funny...actually I do have a cleaning already scheduled.

Barcelona, great idea...really great, actually... but they''ve already applied it to the cost of the replacement filling.

Date: 6/26/2009 11:37:15 PM
Author: D&T

Date: 6/26/2009 11:00:27 PM
Author: HappyAnniversary
Gosh Dianne, I wish everybody was as nice as you! I would do just what you were thinking of doing--tell them one more time you really think you received the money, and then if they insist, Gee--keep it. You did your job, they replied with a smiley face, you should get to keep it. Or--you could buy the office a little treat the next time you come for an appt with a little bit of the money, bagels? MMMMM

ditto.. you tried, oh well they didn''t keep their book keep straight, but just be careful that it might come back a year later or something then they realize that you owe them back?

Happy: your reasoning cracked me up

D&T: this crossed my mind, too....and wouldn''t that just be my luck?

 

[rockzilla]

It''s also possible that there were actually two credits...for example, if they overcharged you for something insurance paid for at your six month exam...and then at the next exam did the same thing again?

I know my dental bills always have weird calculations...there''s the "full amount charged" then a reduction, then what insurance pays, then what I pay. So could they have made the same error twice?

 

[dianne]

Date: 6/26/2009 11:55:39 PM
Author: rockzilla
It''s also possible that there were actually two credits...for example, if they overcharged you for something insurance paid for at your six month exam...and then at the next exam did the same thing again?

I know my dental bills always have weird calculations...there''s the ''full amount charged'' then a reduction, then what insurance pays, then what I pay. So could they have made the same error twice?

Good Lord!...I didn''t even think about this! I guess you could be right...still doesn''t explain why they don''t have record of the refund to me. Just strange...