I had a procedure done, last month, on my lower back for pain. Yesterday was my follow up visit. When I arrived, I told the receptionist I wanted to pay the bill I had gotten, the day before, for the procedure. The amount the receptionist said I owed was more than twice the amount shown on the bill. The receptionist said that was because the other Medicare payment was posted after my bill went out, and that the next bill I got would reflect that. When I said I only had enough money to pay the first bill, I was told I would have to sign a promissory note for the balance if I wanted to see the doctor. I refused, and stated that saying I had to sign the note, to see doctor, was a form of extortion, and that I was there to pay first bill in addition to my follow up appointment. Needless to say, this went around and around. I spoke to the office manager, as well, who stated it was their practice to get promissory notes for unpaid balances. I told them I was still in pain, and have not gotten any prescriptions from the doctor. My question is, can they force me to sign a promissory note for a bill, not yet sent by them, in order to see doctor?

Sure.. its their practice... they aren't legally required to see someone that owes them money, or won't agree they will pay whats owed for that visit.

In fact... its common practice to sign such a form when seeking service at a medical practice (meaning before they they take you to see the doctor)... even with insurance and when you don't have any payments due.

You have a choice... sign it.. or try and find another doctor that doesn't make you. And good luck there. I haven't seen any, not that I can remember in over 30 years.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

Sure.. its their practice... they aren't legally required to see someone that owes them money, or won't agree they will pay whats owed for that visit.

In fact... its common practice to sign such a form when seeking service at a medical practice (meaning before they they take you to see the doctor)... even with insurance and when you don't have any payments due.

You have a choice... sign it.. or try and find another doctor that doesn't make you. And good luck there. I haven't seen any, not that I can remember in over 30 years.

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Thanks for the reply. I'm 52 years old, and have seen many doctors, as well as had many procedures done in my life time. Never once have I been told, or made to sign a promissory by any doctor/medical practice, so this was a shock to me, as well as an insult. Fortunately, my doctor had been made aware of what happened, and called to see what medications I may need. The doctor stated that he never liked the promissory note thing, but the other doctors in the practice wanted it, so he was sorry I'd had a bad experience. I have an appointment with the same doctor, again, May 02... we'll see how the front desk staff act, this time.

I'm 53... when I do do to the doctors or the ER and fill out the papers at the beginning of every visit I have made in memory dating back to the early 80's, and that was in three different states (don't remember those before then) one of those forms was always the agreement to pay if the insurance refused to pay them. It covers their butt because sometimes people show up with insurance cards that aren't valid because of losing their jobs or quitting them...or the insurance company refuses for some other reason.

This is getting to be a more and more common practice. That doctors will not see you unless all past bills are paid and you pay for current treatment. Most want basic office charges paid prior to seeing you.

Too many people are not paying the doctor, run a large bill and just change doctors.

With more and more people not having insurance, this will be more common in future, my guess