At my wit's end: $60k Claim Denied by Cigna, & Medical Provider can't submit a simple, timely claim correction (What do I do?)

I (26F) got into a hiking accident in November 2024 while hanging with friends. The accident left me with a broken tibia bone on my right leg. Right away, I had my orthopedic surgeon (company: "R") take a look at it and he scheduled me for outpatient surgery at the local hospital (company: "N") since R's surgery center was full. I went through the pre-registration process by phone with N myself, and was told I needed to pay $2.9k as an upfront payment before surgery could be scheduled. I was assured that this was not the final payment, and that after claims processing with my insurance provider, Cigna, I would be able to determine my true patient responsibility and get credit back from N if I overpaid. So I agreed and paid with my credit card. (NOTE: All facilities/medical providers are IN-NETWORK)

While recovering from surgery in early December 2024, I get notification from Cigna that N's $60k (yes, outrageous) claim was denied. In the EOB, the reason for denial says "A0 - THE CLAIM IS DENIED. IT IS RELATED TO AN INJURY OR ILLNESS THAT OCCURRED AT THE WORKPLACE AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MEDICAL PLAN." I immediately call Cigna to clarify and they tell me the claim was filed as Worker's Comp instead of medical...and also that N would need to resubmit a claim correction. Sounds simple, I thought.....just call N's billing services and get them to resubmit...Cigna processes...and my patient responsibility will be updated (i.e. I had already met my $2k deductible and Out of Pocket maximum had ~$800 remaining...I was going to get $ back).

OR SO I THOUGHT BECAUSE IT'S NOW FEB 2025 AND I'M NO WHERE CLOSE TO GETTING THE HOSPITAL TO TAKE ACTION (T^T)

I spent all of January making frequent calls between Cigna & N confirming that the EOB was delivered accurately, internal business reviews in N's billing department were being done, and that the other party recognized what needed to be fixed....................to now back at the drawing board with N. The more I call the hospital's billing department, the more I feel I will never get my $ back since each customer service representative keeps telling me different situations. The last one I called confirmed they are doing a 'Code Review' of the procedure I had and that this will take 30-45 days. WTF.

Cigna can't assist at this point, since they say it's up to N to make the claim correction after being notified. I'm trying to be as patient as possible in this complicated industry, but what if after this 'code review' I still can't get N to do a claim correction??? Their bill says I owe them the remaining $57k, and that I already paid them $2.9k earlier. Not even a comment saying this whole ordeal is pending with insurance.

To bring more urgency to a stressful situation...I used a Wells Fargo Visa Credit Card to pay the $2.9k, and while I was able to file a dispute of the charge to avoid paying it for some time...I just got notified that since I don't have billing proof from the hospital of the final charge I can't reopen my dispute case. I will have to pay the $2.9k in my next billing cycle, and have until 3/18 to show proof from N of the inaccurate billing in order for them to assist. (Visa dispute 120 Day rule) Great. How am I supposed to get my $ back from N if they can't even admit their filing mistake, let alone send Cigna a claim with the correct claim type category??

I visited R last week...my X-rays came in good and they gave me a referral order to start physical therapy soon at their rehabilitation center. R also gave me a copy of the diagnostic/procedure codes they sent to N & Cigna to help with my cases.

Truth is, I don't have high motivation at this time to see a physical therapist given the messy situation I've found myself in with Cigna and the hospital. :( However, I'm trying to look at the bright side here...I'm still alive and kicking (with my good leg), have friends/family nearby to help, my job is allowing me to WFH while recovering, and I'm using this experience as a tough life lesson...but I feel like I'm going to hit a breaking point sooner or later if I can't fix this on my own.

If anyone on this forum can relate or provide me advice on how to seek resolution here with the medical provider, please comment. Apologies, for the long read and any parts that sound like I'm ranting....but no way in hell am I going to be on the hook for a $60k mistake made by someone else.