Health insurance clawed back $5k after car insurance paid off hospital bill – what to do?

Two years ago I had to go to the ER after a car accident. I was there for 6 hours and they ran a bunch of tests to the point where it felt unnecessary and I refused any more unnecessary tests and eventually checked out. (This hospital has a reputation for trying to squeeze all they can from people with commercial insurance.) My BC/BS health insurance paid $10k, leaving me with $5k in out of pocket bills, which my car insurance paid, so I thought it was all taken care of. Now the hospital is threatening to send me to collections for the $5k because my health insurance found out the car insurance paid and they clawed back that amount claiming it should have kicked in first. According to the hospital I owe the $5k because I didn't meet my deductible from my health insurance so I owe that out of pocket.

Is this right and legal? If so, I'm considering offering to see if the hospital will settle for half but in the past they've said they won't negotiate prices and demand it all. If I refuse to pay, what's the worst that could happen? I have good credit and not planning to get a loan any time in the future. Are they likely to sue me or garnish wages, or put a lein against my house? I also know medical debt shows up differently on credit reports. What's my best move here? I'll be losing my job soon and feel like it's better to protect my savings.

submitted by /u/GoneshNumber6
[comments]