The title "Top Doc" loses its significance when a doctor prioritizes financial gain over patient well-being. Numerous negative reviews highlight the doctor's practices. I regret not being aware of these reviews earlier. These reviews serve as a warning to patients, urging us to conduct thorough research on doctors and their practices.
Dr. Byrne charges self-pay patients excessively, surpassing the rates she receives from insured patients and the rates charged by other urologists in the vicinity. I submitted a complaint to the Arizona Medical Board, citing A.R.S. 32-1401 27(X), which categorizes charging or collecting a clearly excessive fee as unprofessional conduct. Consequently, the Board is investigating her for this matter. Dr. Byrne charged me $4,135 for procedures performed in her office, whereas the customary and reasonable rate was approximately $1,000. Furthermore, the rate she collected from her insured patients is comparable at about $1000.
Courts have established that "reasonable expenses" for medical services are defined by the provider's acceptance of full payment from insured patients. In this case, BCBS would have paid Dr. Byrne approximately $618.37 for my procedures.
Legal challenges against doctors for excessive self-pay fees often revolve around whether the charges are "reasonable" or if they violate modern transparency laws, such as the No Surprises Act.
Recent court rulings and federal regulations have progressively curtailed a provider's capacity to impose substantially higher rates on self-pay patients compared to the rates they accept from insurance companies. In certain instances, courts have delineated excessive charging not only as a pricing contention but also as a violation of a physician's fiduciary obligation to their patient.
There is no justification for a doctor to charge a cash patient, without insurance, exorbitant fees that exceed what they receive from insurance companies and Medicare.
If you do not have insurance and are a self-pay patient, it is strongly advised that you refrain from seeking medical attention from this doctor. The procedures she performs are not exceptional or beyond the standard care of other urologists. By choosing a doctor who respects your financial situation and does not engage in excessive billing practices, you can save money and ensure that you receive quality care without financial strain. read more
