Duped into expensive Doctor visit

LearningAsIGo · Jul 24, 2007, 06:34 AM

I have some experience with this, working in a medical office. Legally, there are guidelines to billing certain medical expenses. They are "capped" so that a doctor cannot charge anything they'd like... Though nothing is stopping them from charging the max amount.

Part of this also has to do with your insurance and how well you are covered. In the future, if time allows before a doctors order, I would recommend calling your insurance company to ask if certain procedures are covered and by how much.

The bill does seem a little high to me, but I'm unfamiliar with the exact procedure. Call the doctors office and request an explanation... Play "dumb" and tell them it sounds like an overcharge. You could also address a letter to their billing department, gently explaining the reasons of your concern.
Honestly, use honey instead of vinegar ... Working for a specialist, we get letters from patients... Sometimes we'll lower the bill but the nice get further than the rude people.
Good Luck!

ScottGem · Jul 24, 2007, 06:39 AM

I'm not sure of the ethics, but it is certainly legal. I'm wondering where your insurance is on all this. Most insurance companies require pre-cert of any major tests. While the expense should haave been explained to you, why didn't you ask? If you weren't sure what your insurance would cover, you should have asked.

Duped into expensive Doctor visit

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