Lancet ********* billing practices

Lancet practices ********* business practices regarding their billing process. We had Lab work done through a Dr referral almost a year ago covered under medical aid. Lancet, through their poor internal controls, did not bill us directly or claim from medical aid (nor made us aware of this outstanding amount). They had never sent us a statement and we were never contacted or sent a statement regarding the outstanding bill to afford us the opportunity to submit the claim ourselves failing their ability to action. This year in September (9 months after the lab work) we were sent a statement for the 1st time which is when we were 1st made aware that this bill had not been settled. Upon inquiry as to why the statement had not been sent earlier the debtors department **** claiming that they had billed the medical aid but failed to send us proof. They sent the lab form which was not signed by us (which i understand to be the normal practice). Had I signed this form I would have seen that the form had missing information (which puzzles me as to how they submitted the claim to the MA as they claimed to have). I requested and escalation and queried this. Next thing, without any engagement for a fault on their part, we received communication stating that the "account had been handed over". This is highly *********. If we pay exorbitant contributions to cover our expenses it is unacceptable that the organisation would sit on the invoicing so that they force you to pay out of pocket for an expense you cant afford.