My mom just received a "bill" from a date of service of July 9, 2012. I am an insurance specialist for an ambulatory surgery center. I knew something was fishy when she was telling me about it. When I saw it I knew something was definately wrong. A normal EOB or bill from an insurance company shows when the date of service was, when the claim was filed and of course a DUE DATE as to when the bill needs to be paid! Her "bill" is not on official letterhead and there is no signature from anyone on it. The explanation at the bottom is poorly worded as it states the following: The reason for this statement is that Tethys Bioscience Inc because laws in your state require that Tethys bill for patient deductible and payment copay. Even that does not make sense! Hopefully more people read these posts so they do not pay!!!
Tethys Bioscience
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I also have been getting harassing statements and letters from Tethys Bioscience, Inc., cryptically signed "Tethys Billing Department," "Tethys Bioscience, Inc., Billing Department," or in only one instance, "Demetria Wyatt, Chief Financial Officer." Date of service was in March 2013, initial bill arrived a year later, and I have been receiving a monthly bill since. Like others, I was told by my doctor that whatever insurance didn't cover, Tethys was contracted to write off. Tethys went under a year ago and is no longer in existence. My doctor advised me several times not to pay this and I haven't. I called Tethys once and was told I would no longer receive bills. That lasted two months. Each time a bill arrives, things look less and less professional and now it seems Ms. Wyatt needs to invest in printer ink! The logo was completely different in one of the letters, signatures have changed three times, the heading for credit card information has changed in appearance, and the language is not professional in the least. "The reason for this statement......" Really? I have never received a bill with a clause like that anywhere in it. "Please join with the majority of patients in (U. S. state) who have paid Tethys the amount due." Never. No company puts this on their billing. "Only a very small faction (faction?) of Dr. (Blank)'s patients that insured with (Blank) have failed to pay their obligations." Please. I have never seen a business letter dated "July 9, 14" or "October 8,14." I checked online with the Better Business Bureau in the area and Tethys, evidently, doesn't respond to complaints anymore. Check it out. I am not paying this almost $500 bogus bill. I am convinced Demetria Wyatt illegally downloaded some very personal, very private information before the company went belly-up and is collecting fraudulently. If this is the case, I would love to bust her.
I might also add that bills are to be sent to a post office box in Manteca, CA, the same town in which Demetria Wyatt resides according to information on the internet. Tethys Bioscience was in Emeryville, CA. I know the place has closed and any legitimate collector would not be working out of that particular office, but I find it ironic and convenient that the P.O. box is located in the same town where she lives.
I'm so glad I found this board, I got a bill from this company too, for some tests that I never even ended up having done! The wording is similar, "Please join with the majority of patients in Tennessee who have paid Tethys the amount due".
Has anyone tried to call Tethys and report this? Do they even still exist?
Has anyone tried to call Tethys and report this? Do they even still exist?
I too received a bill today from Tethys Bioscience Inc., The letter reads "We apologize for sending you a bill after such a long time. A third party audit of our financial records determined that Tethys is legally obligated to bill Georgia residences for all medical charges. This audit also revealed that we did not previously send you an invoice for charges that are your legal responsibility. To refresh your recollection, your physician ordered the PreDx Diabetes Risk Score for you on xxxx, xxx. 2011 to aid in the assessment of your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes within five years.
Georgia State law states, in part "(a) For the purposes of applicable provisions of Code Section 43-1-19, it shall be considered a deceptive or misleading practice for any person duly licensed and authorized to provide any type of health care services to advertise, as an inducement to attract patients, the waiver of a deductible or copayment required to be made to such person under the patient's health insurance policy or plan."
Tethys is required to abide by this law and pursue collections from patients. We accept credit card payments as well as checks. If you would like to pay by credit card, please call 209-229-7975 and we will take your payment over the phone.
Please join with the majority of patients in Georgia who have paid Tethys the amount due.
Thank you,
Tethys Bioscience Inc.
Billing Department"
Really now? Hmmm, the company shut it's doors one year ago. I was also told, as were many others, by my doctor's office that Tethys would cover any cost not covered by my insurance company. My personal opinion is that everyone who received one of these letters should fill out an inquiry with the postal service about possible postal fraud (https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/mailfraud.aspx) (http://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/), also contact your local better business bureau, fill out the HIPPA violations (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/psa/complaint/) and possibly file a complaint with the FBI http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/when and by all means if push comes to shove contact an attorney.
Georgia State law states, in part "(a) For the purposes of applicable provisions of Code Section 43-1-19, it shall be considered a deceptive or misleading practice for any person duly licensed and authorized to provide any type of health care services to advertise, as an inducement to attract patients, the waiver of a deductible or copayment required to be made to such person under the patient's health insurance policy or plan."
Tethys is required to abide by this law and pursue collections from patients. We accept credit card payments as well as checks. If you would like to pay by credit card, please call 209-229-7975 and we will take your payment over the phone.
Please join with the majority of patients in Georgia who have paid Tethys the amount due.
Thank you,
Tethys Bioscience Inc.
Billing Department"
Really now? Hmmm, the company shut it's doors one year ago. I was also told, as were many others, by my doctor's office that Tethys would cover any cost not covered by my insurance company. My personal opinion is that everyone who received one of these letters should fill out an inquiry with the postal service about possible postal fraud (https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/mailfraud.aspx) (http://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/), also contact your local better business bureau, fill out the HIPPA violations (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/psa/complaint/) and possibly file a complaint with the FBI http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/when and by all means if push comes to shove contact an attorney.
Georgia law states 2010 Georgia Code
TITLE 43 - PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 43-1-19.1 - Waiver of deductibles or copayments in health insurance plans; deceptive or misleading advertising
O.C.G.A. 43-1-19.1 (2010)
43-1-19.1. Waiver of deductibles or copayments in health insurance plans; deceptive or misleading advertising
(a) For the purposes of applicable provisions of Code Section 43-1-19, it shall be considered a deceptive or misleading practice for any person duly licensed and authorized to provide any type of health care services to advertise, as an inducement to attract patients, the waiver of a deductible or copayment required to be made to such person under the patient's health insurance policy or plan.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to nonprofit community health centers which primarily serve indigent patients.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law of this Code to the contrary, it shall not be considered a misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive act for a provider to waive occasionally such a deductible or copayment required to be made under the patient's health insurance contract, policy, or plan if the waiver is authorized by the insurer or if the waiver is based on an evaluation of the individual patient and is not a regular business practice of the person providing the health care services.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources."
http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-43/chapter-1/43-1-19-1"
As many other patients were told by their doctors, I too was told that Tethys would write off any amount that our insurance company did not pay. So, am I to conclude that whomever sent me the letter stating I owe Tethys Bioscience money and by siting only part of the Georgia Code to substantiate their claim is admitting to the company's wrong doing and now trying to profit from deceiving the doctors and patients? It seems to me that the sales people who filed a claim against the company for fraudulent practice were indeed correct.
TITLE 43 - PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 43-1-19.1 - Waiver of deductibles or copayments in health insurance plans; deceptive or misleading advertising
O.C.G.A. 43-1-19.1 (2010)
43-1-19.1. Waiver of deductibles or copayments in health insurance plans; deceptive or misleading advertising
(a) For the purposes of applicable provisions of Code Section 43-1-19, it shall be considered a deceptive or misleading practice for any person duly licensed and authorized to provide any type of health care services to advertise, as an inducement to attract patients, the waiver of a deductible or copayment required to be made to such person under the patient's health insurance policy or plan.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to nonprofit community health centers which primarily serve indigent patients.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law of this Code to the contrary, it shall not be considered a misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive act for a provider to waive occasionally such a deductible or copayment required to be made under the patient's health insurance contract, policy, or plan if the waiver is authorized by the insurer or if the waiver is based on an evaluation of the individual patient and is not a regular business practice of the person providing the health care services.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources."
http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-43/chapter-1/43-1-19-1"
As many other patients were told by their doctors, I too was told that Tethys would write off any amount that our insurance company did not pay. So, am I to conclude that whomever sent me the letter stating I owe Tethys Bioscience money and by siting only part of the Georgia Code to substantiate their claim is admitting to the company's wrong doing and now trying to profit from deceiving the doctors and patients? It seems to me that the sales people who filed a claim against the company for fraudulent practice were indeed correct.
My original posts to this thread are dated 10-18-2014. Since then, I called the Chambers of Commerce in both Manteca and Emeryville, CA and they have no business called Tethys Bioscience that carries a license to practice/operate there. I was told that the company has closed and it may be that a group of investors is attempting a last ditch effort to collect some losses. I called the number on my "bill" and Demetria Wyatt answered, identifying herself as representing the company. She admitted the company is closed down but insisted she is legally collecting past due accounts. She wanted me to give her my account number so she could "help" me. I didn't. I told her the company no longer has a license to practice and I didn't believe her and that I think she is a fraud and this is a scam. She politely denied this and repeated that she is doing all this legally. I ended the conversation stating I would continue to investigate, but she didn't seem too concerned. I haven't heard from her since and haven't received another "bill" but it's only been a couple weeks.
Excellent thread guys. I got a letter as well. My first letter says "second" notice. Whoo Whoo... Yeah, I am gonna pay a bill from a year ago from a provider I no longer have to a doctor that I don't know the name of for a procedure I did not get. 
It will cost them more money to get this money by the time I am finished.
It will cost them more money to get this money by the time I am finished.Yes I received my letter today from a test over two years ago. Thanks for all the information. Will be taking some of the suggestions from your posts.
It's January, 2015 and I just received my $400.00 bill for supposed service in Jan. 2013. Maybe we should attach the self addressed envelope for which postage must be paid by the addressee, to a brick (or a bundle of junk mail) and mail it back to whomever is behind this. Maybe if we all do this it will become too expensive to keep up the scam.
Just received an invoice from 3 1/2 years ago. I certainly don't have bank records, cancelled checks, credit card statements or insurance statements from that long ago so how do they expect anyone to prove or disprove whether they paid something that long ago. Could have been paid from a bank account or credit card I no longer have. With all the changes to insurance lately who knows who my insurance provider was back then. Then there's the fact that Tethys closed its doors over a year ago. So unless they can prove it wasn't paid it's going into the trash.
I too received a statement for services from 3 1/2 years ago. I thought it seemed like a scam. I am glad I found these posts. I am going to check into filing a mail fraud complaint as another poster recommended.
Still getting these invoices as well.
My original bill was for $450 when I first got the invoice. At the time the blood work I was being invoiced for was just over 1 year. I was one of the saps that didn't look into it enough. I simply thought that my insurance did not cover the full amount.
I had actually brought the letter to work and asked a co-worker what his thoughts were. He recommended I look into it but suggested paying $20 just to throw something at it to buy some time. Well, after 4 payments of $20 I found time.
I called my dentist office and got a call back after hours. They left me a message letting me know that the office had lawyers and the advice from the lawyers to clients was to cease all payments. ....thanks for calling me and letting me know .... I am currently looking for a new family physician. Once I heard that message I got online and found this.
Since stopping payments (5 months ago) the letters have not gotten any more threatening like previous posters have experienced, perhaps that is yet to come. I still receive one invoice every month.
I actually reached out to a local news station as well but nothing came of it.
I can't understand how it could be legal for this group to do this if its also legal for me NOT to pay.
My original bill was for $450 when I first got the invoice. At the time the blood work I was being invoiced for was just over 1 year. I was one of the saps that didn't look into it enough. I simply thought that my insurance did not cover the full amount.
I had actually brought the letter to work and asked a co-worker what his thoughts were. He recommended I look into it but suggested paying $20 just to throw something at it to buy some time. Well, after 4 payments of $20 I found time.
I called my dentist office and got a call back after hours. They left me a message letting me know that the office had lawyers and the advice from the lawyers to clients was to cease all payments. ....thanks for calling me and letting me know .... I am currently looking for a new family physician. Once I heard that message I got online and found this.
Since stopping payments (5 months ago) the letters have not gotten any more threatening like previous posters have experienced, perhaps that is yet to come. I still receive one invoice every month.
I actually reached out to a local news station as well but nothing came of it.
I can't understand how it could be legal for this group to do this if its also legal for me NOT to pay.
Please submit a complaint to the FTC -- Consumer Finance division. They are charged with investigating unlawful debt collection practices.
I received my first letter today from a date of service in Oct. 2011.
Similar to others this letter is apparently my "SECOND NOTICE."
It has similar language to others. "Laws in your state require Tethys to bill patients for all medical charges...Please join with the majority of patients in Texas who have paid Tethys the amount due."
Very glad to find this thread. I will definitely not pay and will pursue what ways I can go about reporting this.
Similar to others this letter is apparently my "SECOND NOTICE."
It has similar language to others. "Laws in your state require Tethys to bill patients for all medical charges...Please join with the majority of patients in Texas who have paid Tethys the amount due."
Very glad to find this thread. I will definitely not pay and will pursue what ways I can go about reporting this.
I also got a "Second Notice" today for 3.5 yrs ago. What a joke. (I never got a 1st notice.) I will file a mail fraud complaint and not give them a dime. We should all submit fraud complaints.
What a joke is right! I've been getting the same bills for the last 6 months. I got the initial letter with a bill and it read like it was written by a 3rd grader. I did some digging and found out the company went under and that confirmed it was a scam. Then I received a second notice, then another second notice, then a third notice, then today I received another second notice. Seriously? If you're going to try and defraud people, at least make it look as though you're writing from someplace other than a correctional facility.
Possible, but not very likely. It's simply not worth the time and effort collecting on bills such as this. I can almost guarantee that these losses were written off by the investors long ago and that for them, Tethys is a very distant (and bad) memory.
I'm almost 100% sure that this is the case. Demetria Wyatt is likely a small time opportunist turned con-artist who worked for the company in a clerical or low-end supervisory position, had access to accounts receivable records and saw an opening for a money grab. I mean, the fact that she an Avon Sales Rep should tell you a lot. Can you spell LOSER?
Don't pay the bill. Your best bet? Do what I did today and write on the envelope "Return to Sender...Addressee Moved and Left No Forwarding Information" and drop it in any mailbox. Problem solved.
Possible, but not very likely. It's simply not worth the time and effort collecting on bills such as this. I can almost guarantee that these losses were written off by the investors long ago and that for them, Tethys is a very distant (and bad) memory.
I'm almost 100% sure that this is the case. Demetria Wyatt is likely a small time opportunist turned con-artist who worked for the company in a clerical or low-end supervisory position, had access to accounts receivable records and saw an opening for a money grab. I mean, the fact that she an Avon Sales Rep should tell you a lot. Can you spell LOSER?
Don't pay the bill. Your best bet? Do what I did today and write on the envelope "Return to Sender...Addressee Moved and Left No Forwarding Information" and drop it in any mailbox. Problem solved.
Let me add my voice to the chorus. We got a bill yesterday for $500+. The language set off the first alarm -- as several others have stated it appears written by someone not versed in legalese. The alarm went way up when we saw the date -- from 2012. Tried to call but the mailbox was full and there are no prompts to get to a billing dept. Sad thing is I'll bet enough people get the bill and pay it -- making this worth the scammer's time.
We received two bills yesterday - one for me from June 2012 for just under $500 and one for my wife from July 2012 for $400.
Thanks for all your posts, we will not be sending them anything. I just wish there was some legal action we could take against these scammers
Thanks for all your posts, we will not be sending them anything. I just wish there was some legal action we could take against these scammers
Add me to the list. I just received a bill for $585 for test done 5/23/12. It says to make checks payable to Tethys Biosciences.