I had shoulder repair/surgery done in June of this year. I woke up from surgery with a brace on my arm. I got a bill from Breg for $293 for said brace. They billed my insurance (BCBS) $1050.00 for this brace that I didn't even know I was going to have. The $293 is what my insurance will not cover. I am beyond furious. What a ripoff. Over $1000 for a brace? Seriously? This should be illegal. I am going to contact the BBB.
To make a very long story short with this company, I initially went to the urgent care for knee pain, which turned out to be arthritis, and was given a knee brace to wear and keep. One year later, I received a bill from Breg, Inc. for $900. I researched the knee brace on-line and found they sell for $138 approximately.
I then called and spoke with a representative at Breg. who was foreign and hard to understand. I told him I am not going to pay $900 for a $138 knee brace and that I thought this to be fraud. I then called and spoke with the Director of the urgent care I was seen at and explained the situation to her.
She was unaware and shocked that Breg was charging these fees and would look into it. She was going to make it so either my claim was resubmitted or rebill me for a cheaper amount. She had tried on several accounts to contact someone in that company.
They would never return her calls.
At that time, my account was put on "hold" after I spoke with "James" in customer service. He assured me that my account would remain on hold until this was resolved. The Director finally spoke with someone with Breg, and they were to get back with her. They were not contacting her back.
Thinking my account was on hold until resolved, I get yet another $900 bill in the mail dated 5-2-17. I called back Breg and spoke with "Frank" is the name he gave me, and I said I wished to speak with "James" in customer service at ext. 26069, because this is the one that reassured me my account was on hold. Frank then tried transferring me and then came back on the line and said that extension was no longer in service.
I said or maybe a bogus extension? I said I wanted to speak with James and Frank seemed a little nervous and then told me how there were 2 Jame's and that the James I was looking for was part of his group but was no longer there. He continously asked for my account number and I didn't give it to him.
After many phone calls to this company, and stressing to them that I was told my account was on hold and to leave it on hold and that I am NOT paying $900 for this knee brace, I finally received an e-mail from the Director of the Urgent care I was seen at on 5-2-17, and she said she finally spoke with a representative at Breg, and quoted me a new price to pay $259.87!
I agreed to this price only because I do not want to be turned into a collection agency and want to rid myself of this company. It has been a nightmare. I have not received a new bill and thought I would contact Breg again on 5-12-17, to which I find out that "James" the initial one I spoke to is no longer there.
I believe this company to be a scam and am seeking legal advice or lawsuit information. Do not buy from this company! They are a SCAM!
Same exact experience as everyone else here. Breg Inc's brace that retails online for $47.02 was "sold" to me for $250 ... With very skeptical information from their end as to insurance coverage.
I'm going to let it go to collections and simply tell the agency and credit bureaus that this is a fraudulent charge, which it is. This is the textbook definition of extortion.
As is many things in this world, they will only persist for as long as they're economically advantageous.
Same issue as the others. Wife was given a walking boot by her medical provider. We got a bill for $197.76. It doesn't show that the bill was run through insurance and that an adjustment was done. When I called to question this, they told me that it was adjusted and and the original bill was $415. This brace could be found online for $40-$75. Another example of a medical equipment company sticking it to a consumer. And as other's have said, I have to question the medical provider who is pitching their products. Seems they must get a piece or why be involved with these excessive charges.
After reinjuring my meniscus, my ortho brought a Breg knee support into the exam room and put this brace on my leg to help with buckling until PT and/or surgery completed. Only need it during certain times when my knee is weak, not continually. I remember wondering if this would be covered by my insurance, but was sure it wouldn't cost more than $100.00 or the doctor would not have just put on me without verifying I could afford it. Wrong!! Got a bill last week. Breg charged my insurance $900.00 for this contraption!!
Insurance approved paid $85.00 and BREG is wanting $380.00 from me. I couldn't believe it. Such a HUGE rip-off. I now see The Brace Shop has the exact same brace for $123.00. Its website says your save 58% of cost, normally $253.00! This is a huge insurance scam by Breg and I advise everyone to NOT accept any type of orthotic from your physician until you have done your research. You absolutely will be able to find a MUCH more affordable applicance at your local drug or sports stores or via online. I am DIGUSTED!! And their first bill is very demanding of payment. They must have a LOT of disgruntled and/or stuggling people who take their time to pay their outrageous bills.
When googling 'breg' for information on getting a'doctor prescribed' nightsplint for plantar faciitis That is why i wanted to follow up. At my local orthopedics physician group i was prescribed the brace and without any information someone began to 'fit' me for one, again no information given to me. Although i am a senior, i still have my wits about me and also thought it strange that i was given no information about the cost. They did not mention the price or suggest in any way that i first check with my insurance about it. They seemed in a hurry to sell it and acted as if i had no choice in the matter. I asked about the price and almost fell off the exam table when he said $250. I said that i assumed it was not returnable and he said once i bought it there were no returns. I said i did not want to buy it and would go home and check with my insurance, which, it turned out, would not cover any of it. I went online and saw that there were at least 50 night splints for my condition, most of which were under $20. There were a few at the high end up to $225. It was all very confusing and extremely unhelpful on the part of the orthopedic office to try to coerce me to buy their ripoff nightsplint. I suggest you never purchase "durable goods" from a doctors office but look for them on your own.
A collection agency contacted my daughter, who is a minor, on behalf of Breg saying she owed them $180. The Bill is for a knee brace that was supposedly received in 2011 from a doctor. My daughter is a child and has never saw that certain doctor and has never had a knee injury and never received a knee brace! My child is on my insurance and I am the parent/legal guardian and my name is on ALL of her medical paperwork as the responsible party. The knee brace was never filed on my insurance (cause we never saw that dr and never receive any of their products). Breg is filing false claims to collection agencies. I have spoke with Breg, the collection agency and the doctors office is supposedly came from. The collection agency had no idea my child is a minor, they did not have her birth date, only her name, address and telephone number. The letter from the collection agency is the only bill we have received from this. The doctors office said they did not have any record of my child receiving a knee brace or ever having an appointment with this doctor. I have repeatedly told Breg my daughter has never received a product from them and I am waiting on them to handle this matter. They have filed a false claim trying to collect money from minit child for a product she never received from a doctor she has never saw!
same deal, getting billed for services not rendered, no brace.
these people are trying to bill me as i speak, and there is nothing to bill me for, I am covered by the VA, so if they are billing me it's a pure scam, these people need to be arrested for invoice fraud. the only medical treatment i had was a dose of meds, and some physical examination, which i got confirmation from the VA was paid, nowhere is tehre anything for which this company could bill me, they had nothing to do with me at all. This is fraud.
Unbelievable that I am telling the same story. Sprained my wrist, received an orthotic in the urgent care (whom I will be contacting about this SCAM company), given no information on what I would be charged--falsely assumed that it was part of the care I was receiving that would be covered by my insurance, BCBS. Several weeks later, I received an invoice in the mail from BREG. I was being charged $144.52 for a simple Apollo universal wrist orthotic with thumb spica! Of course, this was outrageous pricing! I checked on Amazon and for the EXACT item, the highest cost I could find was $46. When I called BREG to complain and voice my outrage, I was told that the BCBS negotiated rate was $144.52. I will also be voicing my complaint with BCBS. Yes, this is exactly why we Americans spend more money on health care than any other country, but do not have the services which justify the cost. GREED, plain and simple.
I suddenly starting received a bill from these con artists with ONLY an amount of what I owed and to may them, Breg, Inc. I had no idea who Breg until AFTER they sent my "made up account" to a collection agency, whom I called a moment ago. These con artists are a medical products company that provide braces and protective gear for injuries, that are provided to you through a medical facility. I beleive they are referring to my son's plactive vencro ankle supports that Liberty Urgent Care provided him ONLY after I was assured it would cost me nothing as my son's (not mine) isurance carrier pays for it. This was back in mid September of 2017 and it wasn't until December did I start receiving these BS bills. I NEVER agreed to pay anything therefore I will not.
My husband fell 30ft out of a tree he was trimming on September 6, 2017. I brought him to Tennova hospital and they life flighted him to Vanderbilt in Nashville, because of head trauma. They put a neck brace on him then. We just receved the bill from Breg, Inc for $376.26 after Cigna National insurance benefits were applied. How the heck! Onlne the Vista multipost collar runs from $74.98 to $149.95. I really do feel that this is a ripoff to emergency patients and their families. How do we fight this?
My daughter fractured her elbow and we took her to urgent care. X-rays showed fracture, and hospital proceeded to fit her with a splint and cloth sling. The splint, mind you, was nothing but a plastic piece of half pipe. No questions asked, no mention of cost
Last week, I received a bill from Breg. $250 for a splint. I looked it up on their own website: needless to say that 1. the splint they billed me for is not even close to what we received and 2. that splint they billed me for they sell ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE for $25.=
A 1000% markup? Really, Breg?
I sent them a polite note - and copied the hospital as well as my insurer - saying that if they are going to rip me off to at least pretend to bill me for the product I received, along with a picture of the bill, the product they billed me for and the product I received. That difference is like a Mini Cooper vs a Lamborghini.
Yet to hear a response, I'm not holding my breath.
On 6/12/14, I had outpatient shoulder surgert. A sling was provided by Breg, Inc.
On 2/19/16 (20 months later) I received a claim notice from my Insurance (Blue Shield) that they would not pay for the sling BECAUSE IT WAS FILED TOO LATE).
On 2/26/16 I received a bill from Breg, Inc. for the sling.
I called Breg, Inc (Jack) and they said they HAD filed the claim w/in a year of my surgery.
I called Blue Shield (Lisa S.) - they did a 3-way call with Breg, Inc. Breg agreed to FAX them a copy of the previous claim so that it could be paid by insurance.
On 3/28 I received a call from Blue Shield that they NEVER got the Fax. I sent Breg, Inc. a REGISTERED letter with all of the information - including FAX number for Blue Shield.
I called Breg, Inc. (Jack again) - gave them the FAX info AGAIN - they said they would FAX it that day. THEY DID NOT!
On 4/13/16 I received an overdue notice from Breg, Inc. for the sling.
On 5/17/16 I called Breg, Inc. AGAIN (800-254-0072) - they said the person who need to talk with me was not there - but he would call me the next day. HE DID NOT!
On 6/8/16 I received another overdue notice from Breg, Inc.
My son received a bill for $30 from Berg,Inc. Never heard of them through the letter away. Two weeks later got another bill so I check into it. He was being charged for a knee brace. The Date of service 01/08/2016 He never was issued a knee brace because he ever needed one. No doctors appointment at that time. This is not right..... Scam artists. I will not pay
Shoe Fell Apart within couple of weeks and was WAY OVER PRICED
My daughter was provided a Breg shoe from the doctor's office. I should have refused immediately because it was clear that the product was of very poor quality. I hoped it would get my daughter through the three weeks the doctor asked her to wear it. Unfortunately, it was of such poor quality that within a week it began to wear out, within two weeks the sole of the shoe was falling off, and within two and a half had to be thrown away. Imagine my surprise when I was billed $104.00 for the item by Breg. Some quick research online found that a superior item could be purchased for as little as $10. I called Breg hoping to speak with someone and have a rational conversation regarding the extreme disconnect between the quality of the shoe and the price. Let's just say that Breg has a very high view of the quality of their product. The agent insisted I should have returned it though I had no idea it was a breg product until receiving a bill three months later. Please spare yourself the same experience with Breg and found a quality product on your own.
My husband visited our family physician in October, 2015 for a hyper-extended/sprained hand/thumb. The doctor recommended a brace (manufactured by Bledsoe Brace) and placed into the doctor’s office by BREG, Inc. BREG handles all billing for these braces and provides the doctor’s office with a release type form advising the patient that they will be responsible for whatever their insurance does not pay. BREG requires that the doctor’s office require the patient to sign the release prior to treatment.
I think it's fair to note here that the Bledsoe Brace supplied by Breg, Inc. is a simple cloth brace that fastens with velcro strips. It is called a Bledsoe Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica.
Today, November 12, I received the billing from Breg, Inc., P.O. Box 844628, Dallas, TX 75284, telephone #800-254-0072. The bill was for $153.37. They had billed our insurance company $250 for the brace and the insurance company had “allowed” $153.37 and applied it toward our deductible.
I quickly did a bit of research and found that we could have purchased this brace for a minimum $13 and a maximum $30. I contacted Breg, Inc. and told them what I had found and requested that they adjust the price. The refused. I told them that I would pay them $30 but no more for the brace. They refused. The telephone representative advised that those prices were from companies who bought the braces from Bledsoe Brace in huge quantities. When I inquired if his company, Breg, Inc. purchased each brace individually, he refused to respond to my inquiry.
Products supplied by Breg, Inc. are an enormous rip-off.
Wrist brace/thumb stabilizer provided at UCHealth Urgent Care facilitity dispensed without any discussion about pricing, just a disclosure statement that any amount not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the patient.
Well, BREG, the provider of the device, billed my insurance, UMR, $300 for this brace where a comparable device produced by ACE is available at Walmart for $17.82. My insurance, UMR, apparently issued a $146.63 credit toward my deductible, but paid nothing. That leaves me with a BREG bill of $153.37 for this $20 device.
The BREG customer support person at the contact number has no authority to settle the bill for less and said there was no escalation procedure available and that I should contact my insurance company, UMR. I'm waiting for UMR's response.
I'm not paying $153.37 for this device supplied under dubious circumstances and am disappointed in the lack of disclosure by UCHealth about estimated cost when there was an affordable alternative easily available elsewhere/anywhere.
BREG has the right to price there products as they see fit, however, over-billing the medical system and patients is unethical behavior. Patients are willing to pay a fair price for products, and even a small premium for convenience. Billing approximately 7x the going rate for a product is unethical. The method BREG uses to coerce payment is unethical and fradulent.
Billed my insurance $400 dollars and with insurance applied i still ended up pay for $150. Be aware of this company and your medical provider. They are the rip-off team when you need the help at most.
The patient went to Urgent Care in Casa Grande, Az. had a knee injury. We paid cash for the services provided that day. Took an x-Ray. Suggested we buy a little elastic knee support. We did. Never returned for any
more services.
Now this bill appears.
I have read some of the reviews and this might be a SCAM!!! I will turn this over to my attorney to investigate.
Another Breg rip-off. Similar to other complainant. Wife sprained her wrist. Doctor gives her a $20 Velcro wrist support band. Sends the information to his supplier: Breg, inc. Breg, in turn, sends my wife a "friendly" Past Due notice for $204.96. But they send it addressed to me. I called them last month to have my name removed. They said they did. Today, I get another past due letter address to me. From, you guessed it: Breg, inc. Sending my wife's medical information and bills on her insurance, to me, isn't this a HIPA violation?
My husband received a bill for $40.75, date of service 5/19/2015, for aluminum crutches. No history of injury, never received any crutches. This is the second bill and company is less than helpful. What kind of BS scam is this??
Sprained my knee at work. Very minor. Was sent to care provider for treatment and got a knee brace from them. Company paid provider for treatment. A month later I got a bill from Breg for $26.00 for the knee brace. I contacted the company I work for and was assured that the bill was paid to the provider and that the provider owes Breg if anything. I have also learned that it is not legal to bill the patient for disputed payments in Workers Comp cases. Breg has been notified but continue harassing me with bills, phone calls and theats to sent the bill to collections
Been receiving bills from Breg, Inc for something. Never received any product after surgery unless they are charging for the stitches. Called doctor who performed surgery on hand. Business office never heard of Breg. Called Breg up and they refused to tell me anything such as who submitted the claim, etc. Now they are threatening with attorney or collection agency. Have full insurance and did not/could not have signed anything authorizing charge.
Baylor healthcare Garland, fitted me with an ankle brace said Insurance would pay for it when I asked HOW MUCH... NEVER saw a bill,invoice,nothing.... then 6 months later Breg is sending a bill for $30, with no information on the bill, not for what it was not for when it was, NOTHING, just PAY... so I threw it away thinking BS scam... then after next "bill" I called, talked to an Indian woman who could not produce a bill,invoice or anything, and suggested I call my Doctor office to get the info... I told her it was BS and unless they produce an invoice Im not paying anything... 2 months later, I have a collections bill for $30... says I have 30 days to respond in Writing to dispute... I talked to someone on the phone there, Benuck&Rainey collection agency... she says I signed some waiver at the doctor office that says I am responsible for anything the insurance does not pay, (even if I never see an invoice on know the price) and that it will get reported on my credit.. she recc that I call my insurance to get the info, she cannot give me an invoice or anything claiming HIPPA regulations... ha what a scam.... I told her the letter says that I have 30 days to dispute the validity of the bill(which I obviously am) but she says thats only if I didnt receive the brace or something like that, but since I did receive it that it really doesnt apply to me... then i asked what address to send it to and that I was going to send it CERTIFIED she said I didnt have to send it certified and to just call my insurance then call them back.... hahah what a scam... big time.... scam
My wife sprained her wrist. $250 was the bill submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC.
BCBS "paid" $85.74.
I just received a bill from BREG, Inc one year later for $164.26 for a wrist brace.
The SAME BRACE costs a MAX of $35-$40 at Rite Aid, but BREG says that I either pay or they will put it into connection (thereby ruining your credit score).
This is a total rip-off. One expects to pay a little more for a "brace" when it is recommended to them from the doctors office, but NOT 5x.
Obviously Breg has it worked out with these Doc in the Boxes that a kick-back will go to the Dr.
This is just like the $20 hammer being sold to the Department of Defense for $500.
Really.
Everyone who is part of this process should be ashamed. BREG should be brought up on charges for scamming the medical reimbursement system.
Blue Cross Blue Shield should be ashamed too. WHen I spoke to them, they saw nothing imporper about the charge.
No one should be surprised our healthcare system is as fouled up as it is.
Tragic. The day anyone tells me that my health insurer is looking out for me, I am running the other way.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has lost me as a customer. Terrible.
Breg, Inc. Reviews
What a ripoff!!
I had shoulder repair/surgery done in June of this year. I woke up from surgery with a brace on my arm. I got a bill from Breg for $293 for said brace. They billed my insurance (BCBS) $1050.00 for this brace that I didn't even know I was going to have. The $293 is what my insurance will not cover. I am beyond furious. What a ripoff. Over $1000 for a brace? Seriously? This should be illegal. I am going to contact the BBB.
To make a very long story short with this company, I initially went to the urgent care for knee pain, which turned out to be arthritis, and was given a knee brace to wear and keep. One year later, I received a bill from Breg, Inc. for $900. I researched the knee brace on-line and found they sell for $138 approximately.
I then called and spoke with a representative at Breg. who was foreign and hard to understand. I told him I am not going to pay $900 for a $138 knee brace and that I thought this to be fraud. I then called and spoke with the Director of the urgent care I was seen at and explained the situation to her.
She was unaware and shocked that Breg was charging these fees and would look into it. She was going to make it so either my claim was resubmitted or rebill me for a cheaper amount. She had tried on several accounts to contact someone in that company.
They would never return her calls.
At that time, my account was put on "hold" after I spoke with "James" in customer service. He assured me that my account would remain on hold until this was resolved. The Director finally spoke with someone with Breg, and they were to get back with her. They were not contacting her back.
Thinking my account was on hold until resolved, I get yet another $900 bill in the mail dated 5-2-17. I called back Breg and spoke with "Frank" is the name he gave me, and I said I wished to speak with "James" in customer service at ext. 26069, because this is the one that reassured me my account was on hold. Frank then tried transferring me and then came back on the line and said that extension was no longer in service.
I said or maybe a bogus extension? I said I wanted to speak with James and Frank seemed a little nervous and then told me how there were 2 Jame's and that the James I was looking for was part of his group but was no longer there. He continously asked for my account number and I didn't give it to him.
After many phone calls to this company, and stressing to them that I was told my account was on hold and to leave it on hold and that I am NOT paying $900 for this knee brace, I finally received an e-mail from the Director of the Urgent care I was seen at on 5-2-17, and she said she finally spoke with a representative at Breg, and quoted me a new price to pay $259.87!
I agreed to this price only because I do not want to be turned into a collection agency and want to rid myself of this company. It has been a nightmare. I have not received a new bill and thought I would contact Breg again on 5-12-17, to which I find out that "James" the initial one I spoke to is no longer there.
I believe this company to be a scam and am seeking legal advice or lawsuit information. Do not buy from this company! They are a SCAM!
Extortion
Same exact experience as everyone else here. Breg Inc's brace that retails online for $47.02 was "sold" to me for $250 ... With very skeptical information from their end as to insurance coverage.
I'm going to let it go to collections and simply tell the agency and credit bureaus that this is a fraudulent charge, which it is. This is the textbook definition of extortion.
As is many things in this world, they will only persist for as long as they're economically advantageous.
Ripoff
Same issue as the others. Wife was given a walking boot by her medical provider. We got a bill for $197.76. It doesn't show that the bill was run through insurance and that an adjustment was done. When I called to question this, they told me that it was adjusted and and the original bill was $415. This brace could be found online for $40-$75. Another example of a medical equipment company sticking it to a consumer. And as other's have said, I have to question the medical provider who is pitching their products. Seems they must get a piece or why be involved with these excessive charges.
After reinjuring my meniscus, my ortho brought a Breg knee support into the exam room and put this brace on my leg to help with buckling until PT and/or surgery completed. Only need it during certain times when my knee is weak, not continually. I remember wondering if this would be covered by my insurance, but was sure it wouldn't cost more than $100.00 or the doctor would not have just put on me without verifying I could afford it. Wrong!! Got a bill last week. Breg charged my insurance $900.00 for this contraption!!
Insurance approved paid $85.00 and BREG is wanting $380.00 from me. I couldn't believe it. Such a HUGE rip-off. I now see The Brace Shop has the exact same brace for $123.00. Its website says your save 58% of cost, normally $253.00! This is a huge insurance scam by Breg and I advise everyone to NOT accept any type of orthotic from your physician until you have done your research. You absolutely will be able to find a MUCH more affordable applicance at your local drug or sports stores or via online. I am DIGUSTED!! And their first bill is very demanding of payment. They must have a LOT of disgruntled and/or stuggling people who take their time to pay their outrageous bills.
When googling 'breg' for information on getting a'doctor prescribed' nightsplint for plantar faciitis That is why i wanted to follow up. At my local orthopedics physician group i was prescribed the brace and without any information someone began to 'fit' me for one, again no information given to me. Although i am a senior, i still have my wits about me and also thought it strange that i was given no information about the cost. They did not mention the price or suggest in any way that i first check with my insurance about it. They seemed in a hurry to sell it and acted as if i had no choice in the matter. I asked about the price and almost fell off the exam table when he said $250. I said that i assumed it was not returnable and he said once i bought it there were no returns. I said i did not want to buy it and would go home and check with my insurance, which, it turned out, would not cover any of it. I went online and saw that there were at least 50 night splints for my condition, most of which were under $20. There were a few at the high end up to $225. It was all very confusing and extremely unhelpful on the part of the orthopedic office to try to coerce me to buy their ripoff nightsplint. I suggest you never purchase "durable goods" from a doctors office but look for them on your own.
A collection agency contacted my daughter, who is a minor, on behalf of Breg saying she owed them $180. The Bill is for a knee brace that was supposedly received in 2011 from a doctor. My daughter is a child and has never saw that certain doctor and has never had a knee injury and never received a knee brace! My child is on my insurance and I am the parent/legal guardian and my name is on ALL of her medical paperwork as the responsible party. The knee brace was never filed on my insurance (cause we never saw that dr and never receive any of their products). Breg is filing false claims to collection agencies. I have spoke with Breg, the collection agency and the doctors office is supposedly came from. The collection agency had no idea my child is a minor, they did not have her birth date, only her name, address and telephone number. The letter from the collection agency is the only bill we have received from this. The doctors office said they did not have any record of my child receiving a knee brace or ever having an appointment with this doctor. I have repeatedly told Breg my daughter has never received a product from them and I am waiting on them to handle this matter. They have filed a false claim trying to collect money from minit child for a product she never received from a doctor she has never saw!
same deal, getting billed for services not rendered, no brace.
these people are trying to bill me as i speak, and there is nothing to bill me for, I am covered by the VA, so if they are billing me it's a pure scam, these people need to be arrested for invoice fraud. the only medical treatment i had was a dose of meds, and some physical examination, which i got confirmation from the VA was paid, nowhere is tehre anything for which this company could bill me, they had nothing to do with me at all. This is fraud.
Wondering
What became of this, if you don't mind me asking? We are being falsely billed by this company at the moment. Thank you.
Same Rip-Off
Unbelievable that I am telling the same story. Sprained my wrist, received an orthotic in the urgent care (whom I will be contacting about this SCAM company), given no information on what I would be charged--falsely assumed that it was part of the care I was receiving that would be covered by my insurance, BCBS. Several weeks later, I received an invoice in the mail from BREG. I was being charged $144.52 for a simple Apollo universal wrist orthotic with thumb spica! Of course, this was outrageous pricing! I checked on Amazon and for the EXACT item, the highest cost I could find was $46. When I called BREG to complain and voice my outrage, I was told that the BCBS negotiated rate was $144.52. I will also be voicing my complaint with BCBS. Yes, this is exactly why we Americans spend more money on health care than any other country, but do not have the services which justify the cost. GREED, plain and simple.
I suddenly starting received a bill from these con artists with ONLY an amount of what I owed and to may them, Breg, Inc. I had no idea who Breg until AFTER they sent my "made up account" to a collection agency, whom I called a moment ago. These con artists are a medical products company that provide braces and protective gear for injuries, that are provided to you through a medical facility. I beleive they are referring to my son's plactive vencro ankle supports that Liberty Urgent Care provided him ONLY after I was assured it would cost me nothing as my son's (not mine) isurance carrier pays for it. This was back in mid September of 2017 and it wasn't until December did I start receiving these BS bills. I NEVER agreed to pay anything therefore I will not.
My husband fell 30ft out of a tree he was trimming on September 6, 2017. I brought him to Tennova hospital and they life flighted him to Vanderbilt in Nashville, because of head trauma. They put a neck brace on him then. We just receved the bill from Breg, Inc for $376.26 after Cigna National insurance benefits were applied. How the heck! Onlne the Vista multipost collar runs from $74.98 to $149.95. I really do feel that this is a ripoff to emergency patients and their families. How do we fight this?
Another brace scam
My daughter fractured her elbow and we took her to urgent care. X-rays showed fracture, and hospital proceeded to fit her with a splint and cloth sling. The splint, mind you, was nothing but a plastic piece of half pipe. No questions asked, no mention of cost
Last week, I received a bill from Breg. $250 for a splint. I looked it up on their own website: needless to say that 1. the splint they billed me for is not even close to what we received and 2. that splint they billed me for they sell ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE for $25.=
A 1000% markup? Really, Breg?
I sent them a polite note - and copied the hospital as well as my insurer - saying that if they are going to rip me off to at least pretend to bill me for the product I received, along with a picture of the bill, the product they billed me for and the product I received. That difference is like a Mini Cooper vs a Lamborghini.
Yet to hear a response, I'm not holding my breath.
On 6/12/14, I had outpatient shoulder surgert. A sling was provided by Breg, Inc.
On 2/19/16 (20 months later) I received a claim notice from my Insurance (Blue Shield) that they would not pay for the sling BECAUSE IT WAS FILED TOO LATE).
On 2/26/16 I received a bill from Breg, Inc. for the sling.
I called Breg, Inc (Jack) and they said they HAD filed the claim w/in a year of my surgery.
I called Blue Shield (Lisa S.) - they did a 3-way call with Breg, Inc. Breg agreed to FAX them a copy of the previous claim so that it could be paid by insurance.
On 3/28 I received a call from Blue Shield that they NEVER got the Fax. I sent Breg, Inc. a REGISTERED letter with all of the information - including FAX number for Blue Shield.
I called Breg, Inc. (Jack again) - gave them the FAX info AGAIN - they said they would FAX it that day. THEY DID NOT!
On 4/13/16 I received an overdue notice from Breg, Inc. for the sling.
On 5/17/16 I called Breg, Inc. AGAIN (800-254-0072) - they said the person who need to talk with me was not there - but he would call me the next day. HE DID NOT!
On 6/8/16 I received another overdue notice from Breg, Inc.
Just got a bill
My son received a bill for $30 from Berg,Inc. Never heard of them through the letter away. Two weeks later got another bill so I check into it. He was being charged for a knee brace. The Date of service 01/08/2016 He never was issued a knee brace because he ever needed one. No doctors appointment at that time. This is not right..... Scam artists. I will not pay
Shoe Fell Apart within couple of weeks and was WAY OVER PRICED
My daughter was provided a Breg shoe from the doctor's office. I should have refused immediately because it was clear that the product was of very poor quality. I hoped it would get my daughter through the three weeks the doctor asked her to wear it. Unfortunately, it was of such poor quality that within a week it began to wear out, within two weeks the sole of the shoe was falling off, and within two and a half had to be thrown away. Imagine my surprise when I was billed $104.00 for the item by Breg. Some quick research online found that a superior item could be purchased for as little as $10. I called Breg hoping to speak with someone and have a rational conversation regarding the extreme disconnect between the quality of the shoe and the price. Let's just say that Breg has a very high view of the quality of their product. The agent insisted I should have returned it though I had no idea it was a breg product until receiving a bill three months later. Please spare yourself the same experience with Breg and found a quality product on your own.
My husband visited our family physician in October, 2015 for a hyper-extended/sprained hand/thumb. The doctor recommended a brace (manufactured by Bledsoe Brace) and placed into the doctor’s office by BREG, Inc. BREG handles all billing for these braces and provides the doctor’s office with a release type form advising the patient that they will be responsible for whatever their insurance does not pay. BREG requires that the doctor’s office require the patient to sign the release prior to treatment.
I think it's fair to note here that the Bledsoe Brace supplied by Breg, Inc. is a simple cloth brace that fastens with velcro strips. It is called a Bledsoe Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica.
Today, November 12, I received the billing from Breg, Inc., P.O. Box 844628, Dallas, TX 75284, telephone #800-254-0072. The bill was for $153.37. They had billed our insurance company $250 for the brace and the insurance company had “allowed” $153.37 and applied it toward our deductible.
I quickly did a bit of research and found that we could have purchased this brace for a minimum $13 and a maximum $30. I contacted Breg, Inc. and told them what I had found and requested that they adjust the price. The refused. I told them that I would pay them $30 but no more for the brace. They refused. The telephone representative advised that those prices were from companies who bought the braces from Bledsoe Brace in huge quantities. When I inquired if his company, Breg, Inc. purchased each brace individually, he refused to respond to my inquiry.
Products supplied by Breg, Inc. are an enormous rip-off.
Wrist brace/thumb stabilizer provided at UCHealth Urgent Care facilitity dispensed without any discussion about pricing, just a disclosure statement that any amount not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the patient.
Well, BREG, the provider of the device, billed my insurance, UMR, $300 for this brace where a comparable device produced by ACE is available at Walmart for $17.82. My insurance, UMR, apparently issued a $146.63 credit toward my deductible, but paid nothing. That leaves me with a BREG bill of $153.37 for this $20 device.
The BREG customer support person at the contact number has no authority to settle the bill for less and said there was no escalation procedure available and that I should contact my insurance company, UMR. I'm waiting for UMR's response.
I'm not paying $153.37 for this device supplied under dubious circumstances and am disappointed in the lack of disclosure by UCHealth about estimated cost when there was an affordable alternative easily available elsewhere/anywhere.
BREG has the right to price there products as they see fit, however, over-billing the medical system and patients is unethical behavior. Patients are willing to pay a fair price for products, and even a small premium for convenience. Billing approximately 7x the going rate for a product is unethical. The method BREG uses to coerce payment is unethical and fradulent.
Rip=off
Rip-off
Billed my insurance $400 dollars and with insurance applied i still ended up pay for $150. Be aware of this company and your medical provider. They are the rip-off team when you need the help at most.
Extortion/Overcharge
Charged $250.00 for a $29.97 thumb brace. Cannot speak clear english and refuses to discuss. Terrible attitude.
I received a bill for $92.00
Received a bill from Breg, says PAST DUE!!!!
The patient went to Urgent Care in Casa Grande, Az. had a knee injury. We paid cash for the services provided that day. Took an x-Ray. Suggested we buy a little elastic knee support. We did. Never returned for any
more services.
Now this bill appears.
I have read some of the reviews and this might be a SCAM!!! I will turn this over to my attorney to investigate.
Another Breg rip-off. Similar to other complainant. Wife sprained her wrist. Doctor gives her a $20 Velcro wrist support band. Sends the information to his supplier: Breg, inc. Breg, in turn, sends my wife a "friendly" Past Due notice for $204.96. But they send it addressed to me. I called them last month to have my name removed. They said they did. Today, I get another past due letter address to me. From, you guessed it: Breg, inc. Sending my wife's medical information and bills on her insurance, to me, isn't this a HIPA violation?
Scam
My husband received a bill for $40.75, date of service 5/19/2015, for aluminum crutches. No history of injury, never received any crutches. This is the second bill and company is less than helpful. What kind of BS scam is this??
Worker Comp scam
Sprained my knee at work. Very minor. Was sent to care provider for treatment and got a knee brace from them. Company paid provider for treatment. A month later I got a bill from Breg for $26.00 for the knee brace. I contacted the company I work for and was assured that the bill was paid to the provider and that the provider owes Breg if anything. I have also learned that it is not legal to bill the patient for disputed payments in Workers Comp cases. Breg has been notified but continue harassing me with bills, phone calls and theats to sent the bill to collections
Apparently another scam
Been receiving bills from Breg, Inc for something. Never received any product after surgery unless they are charging for the stitches. Called doctor who performed surgery on hand. Business office never heard of Breg. Called Breg up and they refused to tell me anything such as who submitted the claim, etc. Now they are threatening with attorney or collection agency. Have full insurance and did not/could not have signed anything authorizing charge.
Bill from BREG for $30 for $15 ankle brace
Baylor healthcare Garland, fitted me with an ankle brace said Insurance would pay for it when I asked HOW MUCH... NEVER saw a bill,invoice,nothing.... then 6 months later Breg is sending a bill for $30, with no information on the bill, not for what it was not for when it was, NOTHING, just PAY... so I threw it away thinking BS scam... then after next "bill" I called, talked to an Indian woman who could not produce a bill,invoice or anything, and suggested I call my Doctor office to get the info... I told her it was BS and unless they produce an invoice Im not paying anything... 2 months later, I have a collections bill for $30... says I have 30 days to respond in Writing to dispute... I talked to someone on the phone there, Benuck&Rainey collection agency... she says I signed some waiver at the doctor office that says I am responsible for anything the insurance does not pay, (even if I never see an invoice on know the price) and that it will get reported on my credit.. she recc that I call my insurance to get the info, she cannot give me an invoice or anything claiming HIPPA regulations... ha what a scam.... I told her the letter says that I have 30 days to dispute the validity of the bill(which I obviously am) but she says thats only if I didnt receive the brace or something like that, but since I did receive it that it really doesnt apply to me... then i asked what address to send it to and that I was going to send it CERTIFIED she said I didnt have to send it certified and to just call my insurance then call them back.... hahah what a scam... big time.... scam
Rick
My wife sprained her wrist. $250 was the bill submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC.
BCBS "paid" $85.74.
I just received a bill from BREG, Inc one year later for $164.26 for a wrist brace.
The SAME BRACE costs a MAX of $35-$40 at Rite Aid, but BREG says that I either pay or they will put it into connection (thereby ruining your credit score).
This is a total rip-off. One expects to pay a little more for a "brace" when it is recommended to them from the doctors office, but NOT 5x.
Obviously Breg has it worked out with these Doc in the Boxes that a kick-back will go to the Dr.
This is just like the $20 hammer being sold to the Department of Defense for $500.
Really.
Everyone who is part of this process should be ashamed. BREG should be brought up on charges for scamming the medical reimbursement system.
Blue Cross Blue Shield should be ashamed too. WHen I spoke to them, they saw nothing imporper about the charge.
No one should be surprised our healthcare system is as fouled up as it is.
Tragic. The day anyone tells me that my health insurer is looking out for me, I am running the other way.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC has lost me as a customer. Terrible.