I had a sore in my nose and went to see an ENT. He sprayed some numbing stuff inside my nose, stuck a light up it and looked around. That was it. I got the bill and they charged me 800 dollars for a surgical procedure. I called to question it, and they said anytime an instrument is put into someone, it's considered surgery. Is that normal? I don't get charged for surgery when the doc looks in my ear or down my throat! Should I have complained?
2006-09-20 13:23:15 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I think he just sprayed/injected anesthesia. Besides $800 is too much just to numb the nose. He didn't even give you medicine/antibiotic as a medication. I think what he did is very suspicious. Ask another doctor about it so that it will be clear for you if he charged you too much and he made a surgery. Keep your medical certificate/receipt as a proof.
2006-09-20 13:29:12 · answer #1 · answered by Monzi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is billed as surgical because it was a procedure. Surgery has many different levels, they all don't mean that you are in the hospital getting something cut out from you. It sucks that it cost that much, maybe you could try talking them down a little, people do that in my office all the time and most of the time we give them a break if they don't have insurance, Good Luck
2006-09-20 13:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by Jaded 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ear nose and throat doctors are very expensive. 800 for a specialist is about right. you will never get any surgery for just 800 dollars
2006-09-20 13:31:24 · answer #3 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You still should. Begin with your insurance company. Call the AMA. Ask the doctor's office for their coding guidelines - these are the 5 digit numbered shorthand between MD and insurers. If necessary, write to the state Attorney General. Ask your GP for advice. Write the local paper - letter to the editor.
Before you begin all this, ask the ENT for a copy of your file. You want to be sure you have all the facts.
2006-09-20 13:27:21 · answer #4 · answered by Joe Cool 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
While you definitely should have been charged its ludicrous that you were charged $800. It would have been advisable for you to have complained but look into it further you still may have room for a partial refund.
2006-09-20 13:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by Monica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They call a lot of procedures as surgery for insurance purposes or you would end of owing more if they just called it an office visit.
2006-09-20 13:32:24 · answer #6 · answered by taxlady613 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I would fight it. There's no reason why doctors should make you bend over and let 'em ream you the way they do. They take advantage of the ones who can least afford to spend very much money.
I DO have much respect for everything they do though.
2006-09-20 13:28:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes or pay the $800.
2006-09-20 13:25:51 · answer #8 · answered by 6th Finger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's horrible! You should contact a lawyer or paralegal to find out what your rights are. Also, if the clinic has a patient advocate, talk to them. Best of luck!
2006-09-20 13:28:31 · answer #9 · answered by Heidi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my God!
We are so lucky in Canada with our health care system much as we criticize it
2006-09-20 13:32:29 · answer #10 · answered by mjdp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋