Doctor's office billing Abuse!
By Feona1962
@Feona1962 (7526)
United States
July 19, 2007 1:54pm CST
I went to my eye doctor and when my exam was finished, the doctor told me it would be $25.00. I had already given my insurance information to the receptionist prior to my exam. She said they would bill my insurance. When I checked my insurance information they had billed my insurance for $68.00. Why would they say $25.00 and bill my insurance for $68.00? I wasn't sure my insurance would cover the exam but she said they would submit it anyway. This doesn't sound right.
2 people like this
6 responses
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I worked for an eye doctor for several years. I don't know how this office does things but we often billed insurance for the health part of the eye exam (check for cataracts, glaucoma, etc.) because some insurances would pay on that but would not on the refraction ( part of the exam to determine if you need glasses and the strength.) The refraction is usually around $25 so maybe they charged you that because they knew the insurance would not pay for it.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I didn't pay the $25.00 because she said she was going to send it to my insurance. The doctor said I owed $25.00 and the lady said that I didn't because she had my insurance information. I don't know if they collect up front but it didn't seem like it because she said I didnt have to pay. So I didn't pay it. thank you and I am going to check into it more.
1 person likes this
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
10 Sep 07
well feona i dont know too much about this, my husband insurance is really good and we dont really have any copayments or pay out of our pockets,but sometimes doctors just want more money and they will try to bill you for the most ridulous stuff,even a tynenol they will charge.take care hon,hope all is well.xoxo pattie
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
10 Sep 07
That is okay Pattie..It is just weird how I could have paid $25 and now they want more..We don't even know if we used half the stuff they add to our bill...HUGS
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Jul 07
Sometimes insurances have you pay for an office visit at the cost of $25.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I don't know because I don't even have vision insurance, they were just taking my medical card just incase my insurance might pay. I need to check into it more. They are probably doing the right thing but I am not sure since this is only my second time there. The first time I paid cash and this appointment was the one I gave my insurance information too. I didn't pay the $25.00 because the lady said that she was going to send the bill to my insurance. So it couldn't have been a copay because I didn't pay it or payment for an office visit. Not sure, but thank you.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Would that be like your co-payment? We have to pay $20 when we see our doctor so I'm wondering whether it is that. Even though the amount is small i.e the bill, we still have to pay the copay of $20.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I never have a copay with my insurance, meaning I don't pay up front. They bill my insurance and then my insurance sends me a statement on how much I will owe the doctor. At that time the doctor didn't know I had given the receptionist the insurance information. I have had insurance when I worked that did it that way, having to pay a copay, but not with the insurance I have now, which is through the Military.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
20 Jul 07
Could it be that there are some subsidies given to you when you pay cash? Whichever, I doubt the admin fee would amount to $43. I guess you are charged for some other service. It is clearly an intent to cheat. And it is precisely because of these people who tries to "cheat" insurance claims that we have to pay higher for insurance premiums. I would have reported the doctor to the authorities.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Jul 07
If I would have paid the $25 right then, that would have been it. The bill would have been paid. So why would they charge my insurance more? I am going to wait for the bill from my eye doctor to see what they want me to pay and go from there. Sounds fishy to me..thank you.
@rueandash1 (365)
• Australia
19 Jul 07
ring your insurance and get them to deal with it i assume it dosn't come out of your pocket and the doctors are charging the insurance company, i'm sure they just love to chase things like this up. the doctors well they most probably get away with it because if its not coming out of the patients pocket most people don't care
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I am hoping this isn't the case but it does sound fishy to me. I am going to wait until I get the final bill from the doctor and see what they are charging me, and take it from there. thank you.
