I broke my HCA residency contract after working there for a little over a year. Two months later I received a letter from the Benefit Recovery Group saying I owed them money. I reached out to different lawyers and basically got answers from all of them. One said there's nothing I can do but I could try to negotiate. Another said that because I never received the 10,000 that HCA values their training at the money I owe them is " a training fee acts as a penalty and under Texas law, it's not enforceable". So I emailed them a response with what the second lawyer said and never heard back. Today I got the same letter again stating I owed money, so I sent them the same email. 

Does anyone have an experience with not paying them back? When I quit I knew I'd have to pay and I was okay with that, but I'd rather not if I don't have to. Will they eventually just drop it or will they send my debt to collections?

I didn't break a contract with HCA. But I did work for them and they are sending Benefits Recovery Group after me. In my case it is due to an accounting error on their part.

HCA does not care about its employees! This story has 2 parts so bare with me.

First off I am a retired nurse and I stayed with an HCA hospital for 10 + years because of the "grass isn't always greener" concept. I was that employee that worked overtime and came into work extra when they needed someone. Then I started slowing down and noticed a few changes in my health.

I got a diagnosis of stage 0 ductal carcinoma breast cancer on one side. But the radiologist saw something on the other side and wanted to do a biopsy there too.  Well, wouldn't you know my manager wouldn't let me off. Since the radiologist worked me in for this appointment anyway (clue in he knew something was urgent) and I worked nights I just had to go straight from work to radiology.  My charge nurse assigned me the worst team. In my biopsy preliminary checkup my blood pressure was sky high. I normally have no blood pressure issues. They sent me to ER. Instead of getting the biopsy I spent the entire day in ER and had to call in sick that night anyway! Biopsy got delayed anyway.

My point is my manager did not care for me and what I was going through. My charge nurse did not care. 

Anyway, I went into surgery for a mastectomy with a diagnosis of stage 2 cancer but came out of surgery with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. I retired and automatically got disability. I have been diligently paying my Cobra on HR Answers for over 12 months now. I have a 0 charge on my account online on HR Answers. I pay each month on time.

So I get this letter from Benefits Recovery saying I owe money. Pay this amount or you will have to pay the full premium for the duration of receiving cobra. It appears to be a one month payment only from when I was still on short term disability with the hospital.  So I look back at my account and it looks like an error was made on their part when I transitioned over. But did they have the honor to admit the error and explain it to me so I could then pay it? No they send a collections agency (Benefits Recovery) after me with a threatening letter! 

I haven't talked to these back stabbers yet because it's the weekend but I'm going to give them an earful. Both HR Answers and Benefits Recovery.  I know the person I talk to will be clueless as to how I owe this money because no doubt they have some computer system that figures who owes money each year. I'm going to pay it. As you can imagine with my medical bills I cannot afford not to.  But it will be by check, certified mail and a signature of receipt.  I am sure they are hoping I don't pay it, because then they will get to recover all that Cobra money! 

Did you end up paying it back? Or did they leave you alone after that?

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I can't believe that after all this time there hasn't been some sort of class action suit against them. They are horrible. Hear stories like this a lot. 

I guess all we can do it keep preaching to NOT work for them. 

Specializes in Primary Care, Military.

HCA as a corporation are soul suckers. Do not underestimate them. There is a reason they need these contracts and need sign-on bonuses to lure in staff. Have an actual consult with an attorney to discuss your options and settle up. Always be prepared to pay back any offered sign-on bonus if you leave a contract early. 

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
HarleyvQuinn said:

HCA as a corporation are soul suckers. Do not underestimate them. There is a reason they need these contracts and need sign-on bonuses to lure in staff. Have an actual consult with an attorney to discuss your options and settle up. Always be prepared to pay back any offered sign-on bonus if you leave a contract early. 

I might add that it's a good idea to have an attorney take a look at any contract prior to signing!

 

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