Ampath Laboratories , inefficient accounting practices and the Bully Boys of the medical profession

In September my wife had a mole removed by our GP and sent to Ampath Laboratories for testing. Ampath then sent their account to my Medical Aid but it was rejected as my funds had run out.

In mid November Ampath sent a statement to my phone, which I could not open. Firstly i really object to sending this kind of document to ones phone as they obviously think that everyone has a Smart phone and secondly that everyone knows how to open this kind of document. This is especially so when they have your email address in their system. I rep**** to their sms advising that they must send the document to my email address. On the 5 December they emailed me their statement . I rep**** to them advising that they had never sent me an invoice and that it is normal accounting practice to send an invoice giving full details of what was done and then send a statement. Further one normally one does not normally effect payment against a statement. This was especially so as I was sure that I had already paid them. Over the weekend I looked for a receipt I and as I could not locate the receipt I decided to effect payment, which I did via my bank on the 10 December. However I did also email Ampath advising them that I had requested an invoice and was not happy about paying against a statement. On the 11 December I received an sms from Ampath advising that I had 7 days to pay and if not I would be handed over. You will note that this was again an sms and not an email which is surely a more reliable manner to advise that one is being handed over. ( an email does allow one to keep a paper trail, with an sms this is difficult and maybe this is why Ampath would rather use the sms route. There was never a phone call from Ampath asking if they could try and resolve the problem or advise that I was going to be "handed over" I rep**** to Ampath advising them that the money(R614,40) had been paid but to watch HelloPeter.

Whilst the Ampath Laboratories might be good their accounting department are inefficient, do not follow normal accounting practices and are bullies.

I have never had any problems with Lancet Laboratories and unless I have to will never use Ampath again. Hopefully when doctors understand the way that Ampath accounts department treat their customers they to might stop using Ampath as well.