Letter from health insurance asking me to pay back a check they sent me

[Anonymous]

I received a letter from Cigna yesterday saying they mistakenly sent me a check that I cashed a few months ago (my dentist recently switched to having you pay upfront and then you receive payment from the insurance company) and they’ve referred it to a collections agency to recoup it. WTF? They sent me the check… it was their error… and they’re sending me to collections? I’ll pay it back but I’m super confused at this whole scenario. Anyone else had this happen? This seems like a whole new scam….

[Anonymous]

Are you in sure it isn’t a scam?

[Anonymous]

Did the check cover service from before or after your dentist changed their billing procedures? Is this the first time Cigna contacted you about this check? You have rights. Contact them in writing to request proof and they should call off collections.

[Anonymous]

if you know it was an error, pay them back and move on. if you are not sure (or don't agree) call them and ask for an explanation. you will eventually end up paying.

[Anonymous]

I’d call Cigna directly, not the collection agency.

[Anonymous]

I had a situation like this with Aetna years ago. They said I owed the money because they paid a claim twice. This was accurate and I called them to ask where to send the check. They never responded so I kept the money.

[Anonymous]

I had to reimburse USAA for a deductible they paid to my parent a year prior to their death that it took then 2 years to realize was an overpayment.

[Anonymous]

Our insurance reimbursed our kids’ expensive OON therapy at in-network rates. I suspected it was an error and wanted to avoid the insurance coming back later stating it was an error and wanting repayment. I called them and told them there was an error and they insisted that they processed it correctly and I should deposit it. I did deposit it but I saved the EOB and my notes from the call so when I get that bill one day, i’ll remember the details. My understanding from my research is that I will be responsible even if it’s their error.

[Anonymous]

I just got a $500+ check this year for my son's wisdom teeth removal (directly from the oral surgeon's office) which was in 2022. I can't even look back at my claims more than 2 years prior without calling Aetna. So I cashed it. No clue why or how. Hopefully they don't come calling me for it, but it could happen!

[Anonymous]

Don't they just credit your account instead of this whole check writing stuff?

And was there no 30, 60, 90 day notice prior to collections?

If you check your patient portal online/EOB what does it say?

Otherwise it sounds like a scam.

[Anonymous]

It is inappropriate for it to go directly to collections as this impacts your credit.

This is one of the many reasons we need federal agencies like the CFPB.

[Anonymous]

Are they adking you to pay it back in gift cards? Scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our insurance reimbursed our kids’ expensive OON therapy at in-network rates. I suspected it was an error and wanted to avoid the insurance coming back later stating it was an error and wanting repayment. I called them and told them there was an error and they insisted that they processed it correctly and I should deposit it. I did deposit it but I saved the EOB and my notes from the call so when I get that bill one day, i’ll remember the details. My understanding from my research is that I will be responsible even if it’s their error.

Which is beyond stupid! You tried to correct their error and they cannot even understand that. But you are correct, they will likely come back in a few years, so keep notes

[Anonymous]

Did you ask them if they got pre-authorization to bill you? Also, is the bank they used in network?

[Anonymous]

I had something similar happen recently. When you call Cigna, make sure you mention that you want this “escalated”. They’ll know what you mean and put you through to the person you need to speak to who will fix the issue.