Do I need a short certificate?

Colleen

Colleen

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
As many of you know, my husband died October 13. I have been checking this medical claims through UPMC, which is our Medicare replacement plan here in PA.

Today, I looked at the claims processed from the hospital where he died and the ambulance company that transported him and there are 2 claims that I will have to make the copays on. I have no problem with that. I knew they would be coming.

I got on the chat with a representative at UPMC and she told me I wasn't on file as his representative and she couldn't discuss any of his medical bills with me. I know that isn't true because last year when we got this insurance, we did all necessary paperwork and I've been able to chat with other representatives at UPMC since he passed away.

She told me that I would need to get a "short certificate" from my local government office to be able to talk to them about his medical bills. I looked up what a short certificate was and it's " a legal document issued by the Register of Wills that shows the appointment of an Executor(s) or Administrator(s) of an estate. This Document gives the appointed person the ability to access assets and to conduct business in the deceased person's name."

I had no idea there was such a thing. I thought when UPMC received the death certificate and it says I'm the Informant on the certificate, that gave me the right to get information. Am I wrong? Does anyone know about this short certificate or had any experience like this?
 

Colleen said:
As many of you know, my husband died October 13. I have been checking this medical claims through UPMC, which is our Medicare replacement plan here in PA.

Today, I looked at the claims processed from the hospital where he died and the ambulance company that transported him and there are 2 claims that I will have to make the copays on. I have no problem with that. I knew they would be coming.

I got on the chat with a representative at UPMC and she told me I wasn't on file as his representative and she couldn't discuss any of his medical bills with me. I know that isn't true because last year when we got this insurance, we did all necessary paperwork and I've been able to chat with other representatives at UPMC since he passed away.

She told me that I would need to get a "short certificate" from my local government office to be able to talk to them about his medical bills. I looked up what a short certificate was and it's " a legal document issued by the Register of Wills that shows the appointment of an Executor(s) or Administrator(s) of an estate. This Document gives the appointed person the ability to access assets and to conduct business in the deceased person's name."

I had no idea there was such a thing. I thought when UPMC received the death certificate and it says I'm the Informant on the certificate, that gave me the right to get information. Am I wrong? Does anyone know about this short certificate or had any experience like this?
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If you're not his representative, then maybe you don't have to pay those bills.

And if you don't pay them, can they garnish his checking account or his estate or whatever? If all that is now legally and totally your estate, can they still?

Those are the questions I'd be asking them.
 
Murrmurr said:
If you're not his representative, then maybe you don't have to pay those bills.

And if you don't pay them, can they garnish his checking account or his estate or whatever? If all that is now legally and totally your estate, can they still?

Those are the questions I'd be asking them.
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What annoys me is I've talked to other Rep's at UPMC since he passed in October but this is the first time anyone has told me I need this certificate. I'm his surviving spouse and on his death certificate as the Informant that they have on file, which means I'm allowed (entitled) to talk to them about his medical bills. Am I missing something?

It isn't UPMC that I will owe copays to. It's the hospital and the ambulance service. I don't think what she told me is correct. Maybe I should ask an attorney???
 
Call back and see if you get told the same thing. That's what I always do.
Or, if correct, maybe someone can explain it better and clearer.

Document your conversation for future reference, if needed.
 
Colleen said:
What annoys me is I've talked to other Rep's at UPMC since he passed in October but this is the first time anyone has told me I need this certificate. I'm his surviving spouse and on his death certificate as the Informant that they have on file, which means I'm allowed (entitled) to talk to them about his medical bills. Am I missing something?

It isn't UPMC that I will owe copays to. It's the hospital and the ambulance service. I don't think what she told me is correct. Maybe I should ask an attorney???
Click to expand...
Did you google it?...the certificate thing.

I do understand the issue. I'm just saying that if the hospital wants to give you a headache, I'd give their billing department one, too. Was it their ambulance?

Do you need those records for a specific reason? Whether you do or not, ask to speak to an administrator or manager or whatever. That's who you need to talk to, because, I agree, this seems wrong.

Wait...maybe I don't get it. You were talking to the insurance company? Maybe talk to the hosp billing dept instead.
 

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