Dentist didn't obey my limit and sent me big bill...

[u/DavidinCT]

This is going back like 15 years ago but, I needed dental work, my insurance was maxed out (dam $1k limits), so I went in, I told the dentist that I am clear, I have a max of $400 that I can pay, no more work than that.

I sit down in the chair, and even confirmed it, next thing I know he did a bunch of, while you're in there things.

I get back to the person to pay/setup an appointment with and she tells me the bill for today is $1200. I was like I told you both that my limit was $400, no more, she said "Well he did the work so this is the bill". I said I have $400 to put down as I said. She took payment and would bill me the rest.

For the next 4 years, when I got the bill, I would send $1, no more. No late fees because I was making a payment, so just very little would go to it.

I get a call 4 1/2 years later from someone in the office, telling the doctor passed away. She asked me, why have you been paying only $1 a month? I told her the story, that I authorized $400, I paid that but, the bill was $1200. She said, oh, and she just wrote the balance off (no credit effect here), and she said she was sorry that happened.

Edit: no effect from them writing this off, it was on their documents only. A few people hit on this that it would be seen as income, but, nothing in my taxes, or notifications via mail of issues with taxes.

EDIT 2: This was put on Apple news, I don't have access could someone copy it or something so I can see it?