Have you ever fought your doctor on how they billed you incorrectly?

1. 78

   alphagirlposted 11 years ago

   Have you ever fought your doctor on how they billed you incorrectly?
   
   I saw a new doctor last June. It was a wellness check-up. They billed me as a a back pain appointment. They also billed me for a facility fee of $195.00 at Cleveland Clinic. I called them to correct my bill. They told me because I discussed other things during my wellness check, I had to be billed differently. I have insurance and I am entitled to a wellness check."So what can patients discuss with a doctor during a wellness check?" I was so angry with the doctor and the insurance company. Patients do not know they charge facility fees on top of the visit.

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2. 83

   mperrottetposted 11 years ago

   I had a similar incident.  I'm on Medicare, and sent for an annual wellness visit.  I made sure that they scheduled the visit as such.  They examined me and gave me an eye and ear exam.  I figured that was part of the exam.  However, they charged me not only for the wellness exam, but charged me extra for the two tests.  I checked to see what should be covered under the wellness visit, and it did not cover the ear exam, but should have covered the eye test.  Actually, the doctor had carried out a regular physical exam, not a medicare wellness exam.  I called  up the billing office and refused to pay, and told them that the doctor gave me tests without telling me they would be additional, and that he hadn't even given me the proper exam.  It took them four months, and many phone calls from me, to straighten the matter out, but they did finally remove the charges.  I would fight these charges.  Be persistent.

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      alphagirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for sharing! I did call and fight it! But the doctors refuse to resubmit code! I am so angry I will not go to any doctor who works for clevland clinic because of how they bill!

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3. 60

   PAPA-BEARposted 11 years ago

   That is why I love the healthcare system we have in the UK. You contribute at earning source and it is from the cradle to the grave healthcare without charges It works well and does not stop free choice to buy into other health systems if you feel it gives you more. I am 67 never paid for a doctors visit call out or hospital care from the day I was born.

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   1. 78

      alphagirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Papa bear, very interesting! Is what you pay based on income earning? What happens about those who do not pay into the system? Who pays for that?

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      PAPA-BEARposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is based on your income what you pay in, but no one is excluded, everyone gets the same access of treatment, even the guy on the street.

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4. 0

   paxwillposted 11 years ago

   The squeaky wheel gets the oil and if you complain loud enough and long enough they will back down.  I'd keep pestering them out of principle.  What they're charging you is flat out asinine.

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   1. 78

      alphagirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Paxwill, thanks! I did call them 3-5 times! It is a huge headache! I told them they need a dos and don't poster telling patients what subjects discussed incur fees. They beat the patient down!

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5. 58

   ConversantLeadersposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I have repeatedly asked the doctor to bill me correctly and when I could not get the quality level of customer service. I did as any customer would do with any business that failed to provide good service... vote with your feet. I have since found a different doctor and am happier and recommend him to others.
   
   Remember the power of your dollars and use them wisely.

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   1. 78

      alphagirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ConversantLeader, Thanks for your insight. I am going to go to a different doc. I will aslo ask the doc before I leave how they are coding each visit so that i get billed correctly.

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