Unfortunately billing services like yours give us good ones a very bad name. And yours is way too common of a story. I am not sure but I would think you could sue. After all, they were supposed to be providing a service and obviously they were not doing what they were supposed to be.
However, in response to Donna, this actually can work both ways. We went into an office where the billing was done in house and we found that their biller was causing them to lose $500,000 per year. I know sounds incredulous, but it was true. She was doing all billing in house, right under the dr's nose, and was costing him a 1/2 million a year. She didn't bill out ANY inpatient hospital visits or nursing home visits because she didn't like the format the dr gave them to her in. One of the docs (3 drs, 3 NP's) was director of 3 nursing homes. They also had one NP that was strictly at the hospital. Paying her whole salary but never receiving a penny for her work. Also, she didn't bill any Medicaid because she couldn't get the forms to print properly. I could go on, but I'm sure you are getting the picture.
Anyway, the important thing isn't whether the billing is being done in house or out, but whether there is accountability. Dr's must be aware of what is happening on the business end. They should know what is being billed out, what is being collected, what is being written off, patient balances, etc. I am a responsible billing service and I welcome and ENCOURAGE my providers to see my system, view my reports, and be completely aware of all that we are doing. Mostly because I am very thorough, and I do a good job, and I want them to know how hard I work to collect their money!
I sympathize with those offices & providers who have had a bad billing service experience.
Good luck
Michele
P.S. In the example above, we increased that office's receivables 60% within the first 60 days, and kept it there!