I was seen in Dr. Gonzalez office located at 10085 Double R Blvd #310, Reno, NV 89521 on November 5th, 2020 an 11am appointment for a diabetic/gastroparesis consultation. This appointment was scheduled 2+ months in advance. The delay in the appointment was due to their office having a full schedule so earliest I could be seen was November the 5th. When I showed up for my appointment, I was advised there would be a facility fee. 1st I should have been told about this fee when scheduling, and when the appointment was confirmed. I felt "blackmailed" into keeping the appointment as I was there and had been waiting so long. I was feeling ill and needed information. I asked how much the fee was and no one could answer that. I feel like this office mislead me and this is not fair to patients. Their response was if I received something regarding the facility fee to discuss it with them. Well, I did try. I tried 3 times to get hold of the office, forced to leave a message each time. They never returned my call in a 9-day period. I cancelled my appointment for 12-10 as I cannot get anyone to answer my calls regarding the facility fee.
Looking at the EOB for Renown and Dr. Gonzalez they are both charging for an Office or other outpatient visit for an evaluation for the same date of service, same appointment, and same room. This is not a matter of a patient going to an urgent care or emergency room and receiving a hospital charge and a physician charge. I was in a Drs office much as when I see my primary care in his private practice. Renown has no stake in my appointment at all. I did not fill out paperwork checking into Renown. This is double dipping for one single appointment. I have Hometown insurance which encourages seeing Renown physicians which I did and now am being double billed for one appointment. No where should Renown be able to produce anything saying I was admitted there. Dr. Gonazlez office should be notifying their patients at scheduling and confirmation if they are charging more than your Co-Payment. Renown did not collect a Co-Payment they are balance billing me for a charge towards my deductible. So, my out of pocket for a visit to Dr. Gonzalez office now is costing me a $50 co-payment in addition to a facility fee of $98.25. This charge is absurd, Renown charging $234 and Dr. Gonzalez charging $409 for the same appointment, room, and services. At this point I would never consider seeing a Renown Dr. or Facility. I have other options with my insurance. read more