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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I have never seen a medical bill quoted in advance to be the final amount except for maybe a shot. Due to a change in our medical plan, I asked the doctor and then the office manager whether my regular appointments were considered "diagnostic" or "preventative", and what the cost was for those, and they couldn't tell me. Both said it depends totally upon what actually takes place at the appointment, and they won't even know at the end of the appointment. Someone has to review the doctor's notes and code it.
I only got the copy of the agreement form (before seeing the doctor) and just a small white receipt with the $169 transaction stated on it AFTER visiting the doctor. No 'Superbill' or anything.
I don't have insurance so I payed with my card (I had enough money back then to cover the $75 so it's not like something bounced back). The clinic already knew that I wasn't using insurance, and I didn't provide insurance info.
I only got the copy of the agreement form (before seeing the doctor) and just a small white receipt with the $169 transaction stated on it AFTER visiting the doctor. No 'Superbill' or anything.
I don't have insurance so I payed with my card (I had enough money back then to cover the $75 so it's not like something bounced back). The clinic already knew that I wasn't using insurance, and I didn't provide insurance info.
Should I just wait for them to call me back?
I do not know any doctors that generate a receipt like that any more. Before there were computers, a pegboard accounting system was used that would produce a receipt like you describe, but I have not seen one in decades.
If you had an agreement that $169 would be the charge, they need to stand by that.
I do not know any doctors that generate a receipt like that any more. Before there were computers, a pegboard accounting system was used that would produce a receipt like you describe, but I have not seen one in decades.
If you had an agreement that $169 would be the charge, they need to stand by that.
Any time I pay a co-pay in a doctor's office and use my debit card their credit card machine spits out a little white receipt, just like you see in a store.
Any time I pay a co-pay in a doctor's office and use my debit card their credit card machine spits out a little white receipt, just like you see in a store.
But you should get the Superbill, too. That white receipt is just the confirmation you paid by credit card.
I even get a Superbill at the vet's office --- with the credit card receipt attached.
You should just call and ask for a statement of specific charges. 169 just sounds like charge for basic office visit. Anything else is extra and not known until the office makes the charge from chart of what is done. What you got was normal credit card receipt from the credit card machine.Like plumber has basic service charge then what is labor and materials.
The $75 was not from the chart, because I already paid for the lab fees on a different bill. The $75 is apparently about meeting the doctor alone.
They STILL did not reply to the lady who e-mailed the clinic (she handles the billing) nor have they contacted me. It's been weeks. I sent them an e-mail today.
Is this sort of thing mention-worthy on a yelp review?
I already paid everything (out of pocket, no insurance) at the clinic that they told me to pay. Today, a bill came to me saying I owe them $75 for not paying the full amount for the service. The bill was printed on 12/26/2013. I already paid up-front everything they told me to pay on Nov 13th.
The clinic also never told me how much the appointment with the doctor would cost even when I asked. They said "we have to check" and "it depends". There's no price for the services on their website nor on the agreement forms I filled out.
After the appointment, they said seeing the doctor cost $169, so that is what I paid. That's already a lot. Now they tell me I didn't finish my payment and sent a $75 bill. What the heck? It was their responsibility to tell me the full price, since they don't show the patients "what the real cost" of the appointments are online nor on paper. They can't just be like "hey it's $169..." and then a month later be like "oh it's actually $244 you still owe us $75"
This is just for the appointment itself, no extra testing or anything where they may forget to charge me for an extra lab (even then.. come on).
On the physician-patient arbitration agreement, it stated on article 4 that "all claims based upon the same incident, transaction or related circumstances shall be arbitrated in one proceeding"
Maybe I don't understand but doesn't the 'one proceeding' mean that what is said is said, and the clinic can't just take their actions back and expect more money out of me? I don't have the $75 right now and they want me to pay in a week. What the heck.
I called the billing company number stated on the $75 statement (the clinic's number is nowhere), and the lady on the phone agreed that it's weird how the clinic didn't just tell me the full cost upfront. She sent them an e-mail explaining my situation.
Now what?
Can you go to the doctor's office and talk with someone there?
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