Refused Service
@nanette64 (20363)
Fairfield, Texas
April 4, 2017 1:46pm CST
I had a doctors appointment scheduled for this morning and imagine my surprise when I was told that I had a previous bill for when I had a mammogram done in December; which I hadn't received a bill for, or it would have been paid.
The girl at the desk tells me that unless I pay the $51.43 (past due bill) plus my $15.00 copay, that I would not be seen. I had set aside the money for the copay, but don't have a dime left to my name otherwise.
Now mind you, this visit is because in February I had noticed a skull separation (depression) at the crown of my skull moving forward about 1 1/2" and now, there are two more going from the crown down the back of the head. So I wanted the doctor to do an x-ray to determine the problem.
Well crap, if I can't pay that 'back' bill, I'll now have to wait until May to have this issue addressed. One of the nurses jokingly said, "You must have too big a brain."
I swear, I'm literally falling apart at the seams and my skull is an evident indicator.
Somebody just shoot me!!!
9 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
5 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill We never pay the doctors, it is made through our insurance. The doctors are obliged to visit you if they think there is something that needs immediate attention. If you do not pay, the insurance will try later to recover the money from you.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
5 Apr 17
@LadyDuck Insurance doesn't pay the full bill sometimes and if you owe a balance the doc has every right not to see you.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
4 Apr 17
That's how they do it. If there is balance you pay or not be seen
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
I am so sorry to hear that. That is ridiculous to refuse somebody over $51.43. I am thankful that we have the health care we do. I can go to a doctor whenever I want and have whatever tests I want done and not have to worry about receiving a bill or being refused because I don't have the money!
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
You are soooo lucky @Happy2BeMe . So much for me having the Medicare Advantage Plan.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe I have no clue, cause it sure ain't doing me any good.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
@nanette64 What are the benefits of having the plan?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
Oh my! I hope it is not serious! Have you done some research as to what it possibly could be?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
@nanette64 Then, let's hope it's not that!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
@1hopefulman I'm with ya on that one.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
One thing I did look up was called Hydrocephalus @1hopefulman . And trust me, that wouldn't be good.
1 person likes this
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
7 Apr 17
@nanette64 It really is sad because so many of us go without medical care which could have prevented much of the things we then suffer because it went untreated so long. Something they could have stopped right away in the early stages if we had been aware through regular preventative care at the very least a yearly full check up. How ever there is no money in curing things I feel that it is more profitable to help you live with something.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Apr 17
@lokisdad And what I don't understand is that it might cost the insurance company $100 for something minor but yet they'd rather shell out $30,000 when the problem escalates. That makes no sense to me.
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
4 Apr 17
So sorry that happened to you. I hope you are okay. The medical community is more interested in getting money than helping their patients, apparently. I just had to pay for my son's outpatient surgery and medications. It was approved by the insurance and then they backed out. I think things are only getting worse.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
9 Apr 17
@nanette64 Don't get sick unless you can afford to pay whatever they want to charge.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
Thank you @NJChicaa . I did find out that the doctor is in cahoots with the facility that did the mammogram; so he is getting a cut of the action.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
5 Apr 17
@akalinus You would think so. I could see if maybe I owed him thousands of dollars, but $51.43 ??? Seriously???
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
4 Apr 17
The same thing happened to my DIL with her child's pediatrician. She received a letter in the mail severing their relationship because of an unpaid bill--something she never received! It was for 6 month ago, and that's plenty of time to send first, second, and collection notices and yet we got nothing here in our mailbox and no one called her to ask about it. Well, up their nose with a rubber hose, as we used to say. That doctor was a rude jerk anyway!
I certainly hope that you have nothing serious wrong with you and that you get it taken care of soon.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Apr 17
I know. I've lived at this address for 19 years for crying out loud. They could have called me. I've had the same phone number for 14 years. I do remember that saying (nose/rubber hose). LMAO. If you don't hear from me, you'll know that my brains fell out.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
I am staggered to hear that they have refused to let you see the doctor. It is an utter disgrace that the richest country in the world is unable to provide care for its citizens. Unbelievable.in this day and age. They can put men into space but cannot give you an appointment with a doctor!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
5 Apr 17
I don't understand it either @garymarsh6 . Over $51.43? That's pathetic.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Apr 17
Me too. I don't want my brains falling out of the skull @sol_cee .
