Absolutely fed up, have a lot on my plate at the moment so need to rant! Would appreciate it if anyone could give me their thoughts especially if you’ve been in a similar position.. although might be a long post. About two months ago I went private through insurance for diagnostics for a neurological condition, tests came back positive. Before all my tests I checked with my insurance company if I was covered, and each time they told me yes the most I would pay is my £100 excess… you should’ve seen my face when I got an invoice for £1.5k!!! I am a big supporter of the NHS but unfortunately waitlists were over 1.5 years long and I need support, so thought if I have the insurance I might as well. Turns out the insurance company has a £1000 outpatient allowance which my tests went over. I had been told this a month before my tests started, but I hadn’t been reminded of it each time I asked (a week or so before each of the three tests) so I’d forgotten and had confidence that the most I’d pay is the £100 excess since that’s what I kept being told. I’ve since gone to the financial ombudsman who are investigating. I told the private hospital this and kept them in the loop, so I thought it was shelved for now. Two weeks ago I got a surprise letter from the hospital threatening me with debt collectors if I don’t pay in five days. I immediately called them up but couldn’t speak to anyone in the finance department.. the letter arrived on a Saturday and the finance people don’t take calls til Tuesdays! You can imagine my stress and anxiety… as if being diagnosed with a lifelong neurological condition isn’t stressful enough! When I got through to the hospital finance team they told me they’d put it on pause and it wouldn’t be sent to the debt collectors until I hear from the ombudsman. I got this confirmation twice over the phone and once over email too for good measure. Surprise surprise yesterday I got an email from debt collectors saying they’re now in charge! I’ve always been good with money, I was heartbroken that the hospital didn’t do as they’d told me (3 times!). I rang the debt collectors but couldn’t get through, so I rang the hospital. They told me I need to tell the debt collectors to send it back to the hospital, I thought this was silly because obviously debt collectors wouldn’t believe me and it needs to come from the hospital! I challenged the hospital on that but they stayed firm and said it was out of their hands. I rang the debt collectors and explained the whole situation, they then threatened me with court action if I don’t pay. I completely understand everyone’s position in this but it’s only been a month since I got the £1.5k invoice and I’m worried paying now will hurt my case with the ombudsman. I’m not terribly struggling financially but would definitely feel the pain of the surprise £1.4k above the £100 I was told I’d pay. The fear the debt collectors put in me was so strong, and I thought the least stressful option was to pay straight away. I paid then updated the ombudsman. Today I got a call from the hospital saying I don’t need to pay yet and they’ve paused it with the debt collectors now, so I said too little too late! Over the phone yesterday I was treated like I’ve been super irresponsible and never intended to pay, when really I’ve been misled by my insurer. My head is in a complete tailspin with what’s going on and what I need to do, and no one at any point has considered I’m vulnerable on account of the new diagnosis of the neurological condition. I never even got a receipt from the debt collectors but can see it’s gone from my bank. What can I do?? I feel like I’m barely hanging on.