adrenaline

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Ok here's the situation.

My wife and I are expecting a child soon. Anyhow, we went to a clinic to visit with a pediatrition to see if they would be right for our child. Well today we get in the mail a bill from the insurance company for our copay. Now i ask, We didn't have any medical services provided.. How can they charge us for MEETING with a doctor?

I couldn't find the info on any of the sites about them charging a office visit fee just to meet with a doctor, so i thought some of you might have a bit more knowledge on the subject.

If this doctor wasnt good enough and we went to like 10 more we would be broke by now.

I was absoultly livid when i saw the bill, my wife actually got mad at me. I am going down to the clinic tomorrow and going to raise hell, but do i actually have a case or anything so i can get them to take off the bill, and credit the ins company.

Sekhmet

Most places will charge a flat fee for an office visit, even a getting-to-know-you visit. They are setting aside time for you that they could be seeing patients with, so they make some money this way. Try calling around to see if other places do this, and what they charge.

Lucky13

Yeah, it depends on whether or not the doctor decides to charge, and it also depends on your Insurance company/HMO/company health plan, and how much they pay for certain things. How much was the bill btw?

adrenaline

yeah.. after insurance we are not paying that much.. but we shouldn't have to pay at all.. Its like going to a school and seeing the campus and meeting with a few teachers. That doesnt cost you anything. You are just evaluating it to see if you want to throw your money that way. Im still fucking pissed.. But i guess this is just another way that americans get screwed.


:edit:

Bill was $120 for about 5 minutes... We were billed only a fraction.. but you get my point.
What if we didn't like that doctor and didn't find one we liked until like 10 later? so over $1200 in bills is justified.. No way!

kulotsalot

I agree that it's considered a consultation, but not $120 for 5 minutes that is absurd.

Juan.©amaney

Why did you even give them your info? FUCK THAT! I say don't pay.

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adrenaline

We made an appointment to see the doctor.. It is an HMO and they already have us in the system.

Juan.©amaney

Sucks...talk to the company and DEMAND satisfaction. What the fuck is wrong with people when you cant even get a free little consultation thing.

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adrenaline

yep. Im calling tomorrow. If that doest work im going to go back to the clinic and see why we were charged.

Lucky13

Better yet, deliver the baby yourself oldschool style. If you screw up and it dies, well you'll save a lot of money in the long run anyway.

adrenaline

thats a totally uncool thing to say

Jimi

Seriously. nfl, go back to lurking. That was just fucking ignorant, and totally uncalled for.

Juan.©amaney

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Juli

This is how doctors get their money but I can't believe it was 120 dollars. Unfortunately, if you go into the company and complain, I don't think you'll accomplish anything. These doctors are greedy for their last fucking cent on the dollar, trust me I know. I'm pretty sure they'll say "we saw you no matter how petty it was, you still have to pay"

Is jimi going to charge this much?! lol