[yorkietalkjilly]

He's likely still contracted as most providers won't refer out of network per the contract so whoever referred you for the tests agreed to refer in network unless there are no network providers who can provide the service. Check with your former network and see if that provider was inn(in-network). Ancillary providers have contracts too oftentimes.

If it was out of network(oon), you still should not have to pay due to their error in billing. A nice letter to the provider stating that by not billing correctly and allowing payment to be made by your insurer, they have caused you harm and deprived you of the benefits your insurer would have paid but for their mistake. In that event, the harm is done to you and you did nothing wrong and should not have to financially cover their mistake. Send copies to your state Attorney General, Insurance Board, Department of Labor (if an employer self-insured plan). Let the world know by copy what they did to you and I'll bet they will stop pushing this. Ask for a letter forgiving this debt since it is owed solely due to the provider's error and through no fault of your own.