A Chicago resident found herself embroiled in a prolonged struggle over a medical expense that should have been covered by her insurance.

Mary Ann Posinger has been contesting a $1,152 charge for several years. Her ordeal began after she underwent a scan at a Northwestern Medicine facility in Bloomingdale back in December 2021.

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“Initially, I ignored the first statement because it showed a balance of $0. But the following month, I received another bill for $1,152,” Posinger recounted.

The bill surfaced again in November 2023, prompting her to contact the billing department. She believed she had resolved the issue, as her insurance was supposed to cover the total amount.

“Fast forward to April 2025, nearly 17 months later, I was hit with the same $1,152 bill. That’s when I started documenting everything,” she explained.

Despite her repeated calls and attempts to settle the misunderstanding with Northwestern Medicine’s billing team, Posinger’s account was handed over to collections, leading to incessant payment requests. Frustrated, she reached out to the ABC7 Chicago I-Team for assistance.

“It’s very frustrating because it’s taken a lot of my time out for somebody that should’ve been doing their job a long time ago,” Posinger said.

Her insurance company sent her a letter explaining that they were billed by Northwestern, too late, according to the insurer’s policy.

The insurer said she shouldn’t have to pay, but they didn’t have to, either.

Posinger also had a secondary insurer at the time. And somehow, that insurer was mistakenly billed, paid the claim and then demanded the money back.

Northwestern Medicine said, “Unfortunately, the charges were initially billed to the wrong insurer. By the time the error was identified, and the claim was submitted to the correct insurer, it exceeded their timely filing limit and was subsequently denied.”

“I just want it off my record; I don’t even have debt,” Posinger said.

After the I-Team got involved, Northwestern Medicine reviewed the account, determined the patient “was not at fault” and the balance was adjusted to zero.

“It was their fault, and it has been cleared off my account,” Posinger said.

Every situation is different. But overall, if you’re battling a medical bill dispute, ask for an itemized bill to review. Then, compare the bill to your insurance “explanation of benefits.”

Don’t pay while a dispute is active. Let the provider know in writing that the bill is being disputed and ask them to place the account on hold.

You will not be charged interest on a medical bill. So, take your time if you need to fight it.