Duplicate payment is refunded

By NANCY PARADIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 1, 2000

My husband had to have quintuple bypass surgery in August. Florida Regional EMS in Mount Dora says it did not receive payment from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I am enclosing an explanation of benefits from the insurance company that clearly shows that the claim was paid. I have been on the phone at least six times with Florida Regional EMS asking it to refund our money since we paid its bill as well. I called Blue Cross Blue Shield, and it sent the information that it had paid Florida Regional EMS as well.

We have high prescription bills and could use this money. Please see if you can resolve this for us. Mrs. Frances Brennan

Response: Thanks for your note that you finally received a check for $109.20 from Florida Regional EMS. We're glad we could help.

Pest control on track

We have a "once a year" pest control contract with Sears Termite and Pest Control in Palm Harbor. The contract is prepaid and should be good through June.

We are currently having an ant problem. I have called and scheduled appointments twice, and twice Sears has not shown up or called to reschedule or apologize.

Yesterday I called and talked to a supervisor and was told that someone would call later that day to set up an appointment. No one did.

I never had a problem with this company previously, but this is getting expensive since either I or my wife has to take off work for these appointments. We would appreciate anything you can do to get Sears Termite and Pest Control to honor its contract and eliminate our ant problem. John Salsbury

Response: Thanks for letting us know that you were immediately contacted by Sears Termite and Pest Control and that a supervisor came out and dealt with your ant problem.

We also heard from Don Rogers, service process manager for Sears Termite and Pest Control in Tampa, who thanked Action for bringing your problem to his attention. He said that, unfortunately, errors are made but your situation has now been dealt with and Sears will follow up again with you.

Policy on deposits

I am having two problems with the Pasco County Utility Department. First, I put down a $120 deposit for water service for a tenant, and Pasco Utility is going to give it to my ex-tenant. Second, the utility charged me $17 to turn on water that was not turned off, saying it was supposed to have been turned off.

That's not my fault, so why should I pay for something it didn't end up having to do: Bill Sanderson

Response: Annamarie O'Dell, customer service manager with Pasco County Utilities Services Branch, said the utility requires a $120 account deposit to open a residential water and sewer account. The name in which the account is opened becomes the account holder of record, and the deposit belongs to that person only regardless of who paid the original $120.

O'Dell said you gave Pasco County Utilities a $120 deposit and asked that the account be put in the name of your tenant. Had you opened the account in your own name, you would have retained ownership of the deposit. By opening it in your tenant's name, you in effect gave the deposit of $120 to the tenant.

According to O'Dell, the utility has transferred the balance of the deposit, $50.94, after payment of outstanding bills, into the new account you opened for this address. She said Pasco Utilities is sorry you are not happy, but it is bound by county ordinances and finance rules and policies regarding the handling of its deposits, and there is nothing more it can do for you.

Reaction

Just a little note to let you know that I have finally received the memorial photographic collection, The Killing of a President, that I ordered from Robert Groden in Dallas back in November. I want to thank you all for your help in this regard. Catherine Schalles

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your own attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request.

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