At ophthalmology office a technician did the initial eval. The MD was elsewhere. Bill was 257. Fair? Legal?

Question

There was no direct contact with doctor during the evaluation. Does an unlicensed technician have the ability to do this, and to bill for it?

Answer 1

Did you sign anything? Call and tell them you are not paying, since you never saw the opthamologist. At least you can open the negotiation proces....

Answer 2

Yes, it may not be fair but it is legal. I was a technician for an ophthalmology office for a couple years. The tech does everything but write the prescription and depending on how busy they are we even did that too. Basically the doctors just make an appearance in the room and look over all the work the tech did. I know it does not make much since but that's what the worlds coming too. People making minimum wage now take the place of your physican.

Answer 3

I am a certified ophthalmic asst. It is legal and fair. We are highly trained and have a license thru the joint commission of allied health professionals. I do many procedures without the doctor being in the office, i.e. ultrasounds, visual fields. When patients come if for an exam , i am the one that does the work up , glaucoma testing and measures for glasses. After you are dilated, the doctor finishes the exam. When you go to the hospital for x-rays, there is not a radiologist there, he looks at them later in the day and dictates his findings to the doctor. If the x-ray tech sees something that is questionable, she will then call for the radiologist at that time. Really no difference.

Answer 4

Yes. Even though they are not the ophthalmologist, many technicians have taken training and passed tests to be qualified to do initial exams. Then if the Dr.'s attention is needed, they will alert them.

You probably paid less for this exam than if the Dr. had done it.

Answer 5

You got a bargain, techs and doctor did my evaluation and it cost 2,500USD.