I did extensive due diligence prior to a test to get cost information, find out all the procedure codes and confirmation that those codes would be covered by my insurance. I needed this information to decide whether to proceed with the medical procedure. I sent multiple emails, messages in the patient portal, and recorded voice messages (because they never answer the phone) to gather all this info (hence, all well documented). The night before the test I contacted my insurance company to find out if they had received any of the procedure code information from the doctor and they had not and guided me to cancel the appointment until I satisfactorily received the info I requested. So, I cancelled the appointment and the doctor's office had the gall to threaten me with cancellation fees.
I finally received the cost and one procedure code and the reference number from when the doctor's office contacted my insurance, and the appointment was rescheduled based on that info (again, well documented). I paid the quoted cost on the day of the procedure. Weeks later, I received a bill for a much higher cost. I researched how they came up with such a higher cost and found out that they added another procedure code without informing me. When I asked why they didn't inform me when I went through all that extensive due diligence to get this info, they said they made a "mistake" and "forgot" to include the 2ndcode originally. So, why would I pay for that 2nd code due to their mistake? They refused to provide a credit for the 2nd code. Then they tried to tell me the cost was higher because I hadn't met my deductible and because the original quote was just an estimate. I sure hope the office manager is smart enough to understand that this situation has nothing to do with deductibles and estimates and it has everything to do with the fact that they "forgot" a code when I requested the info. If I had all the correct info when I requested it before the test, I would not have proceeded with that test at that time.
The office manager referred me to the Central Billing Office. I spoke with the manager there, who agreed with me, but could not issue the credit. The credit could only be issued by the office manager and the doctors office was incorrect in referring me to the Central Billing Office, according to the manager at the Central Billing Office. I contacted my insurance company and they had heard of many cases of this "mistake", and when this happens it is normally resubmitted and corrected. Stay far away from a doctor with such incompetent and unknowledgeable office staff, who will make you pay for their mistake. read more
