Or is it your responsibility to research this before you go in for treatment?
2007-06-07 02:40:01 · 11 answers · asked by Cheyenne 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
I went to physical therapy for two months (2 times per week) and was never asked for a co-pay. I even asked the nurse if I owed anything twice. Both times I was told "not at this time". I received a bill over a month after my therapy was over. There were signs posted everywhere that co-pays are due at the time of service. Is this fair? Why did they keep telling me I didn't owe anything? It would have been easier for me to pay this each week than have a HUGE bill now. I don't think it's fair.
2007-06-07 02:56:15 · update #1
They offered to look up my insurance copay & then told me I didn't have one. Why is that my fault?
2007-06-08 03:31:00 · update #2
Your responsibility to know your coverage.
2007-06-07 02:42:05 · answer #1 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He can, and probably will, turn you into a collection agency however, they are listed on your credit report but most companies IGNORE medical bills- because most of them are bogus. Your best bet would be to sit down and type a letter to this Doc explaining that your insurance paid x and you owe x and that he was competent in his care and advise to you. Make a copy of the letter and make sure that you state that you will be sending a copy to the American Medical Association if you do not hear from him in 10 days. Please explain in DETAIL what HE DID WRONG in his visits with you--- he is a well educated intellectual and just stating he did not do anything will cut it. 1. Have you seen another doctor and received a correct diagnosis and proper treatment? If so, do not give him the name but tell him this and what the treatment was. 2. The fact that he "hardly even talked with me and listened carefully" is not a prerequisite unfortunately, for being an MD. They listen only to your symptoms and the facts- and tell you as little as possible until they have an answer----sad but true. 3. If you decide to pay his bill- it is a tax deduction. Good luck in whatever you decide to do but if it was me-- and I do not tolerate incompetence in ANY field- I would get a second opinion and then write the letter to him with the copy to the AMA if he decides not to drop the balance. Good luck to you--- and I hope you are feeling better. PS I just read the advise someone stated about him telling your insurance--- by the insurance statutes- the COPAY is supposed to be paid UP FRONT BEFORE the visit- so the doctor's office already violated the insurance agreement.
2016-04-01 07:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors provide medical services and charge accordingly. How you satisfy their bills is your problem. So, if your insurance declines a bill, you are liable for the amount charged by the doctor. I am sure that most doctors would prefer to do a totally cash business, since insurance companies complicate his business.
2007-06-10 08:57:56 · answer #3 · answered by BC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
99% of the doctors have a sign right there when you sign in that says payment is due when services are rendered. When you sign up yearly to renew your insurance you are supplied with an explanation of benefits. That Explanation tells you what you as the consumer are responsible for upon various items from primary physicain visits to specialists, to x-rays, & prescriptions, etc. Therfore you must pay any co-pays due at that time.
2007-06-07 02:45:12 · answer #4 · answered by GrowinBellyFLA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not the responsibility of the doctor to tell you anything about your insurance. That is your agents job
Most people pay for the insurance but never read the conditions fully and seldom really understand anything about it. I bet you have or at least should have the conditions.
Pay your bill and argue with the insurance company.
2007-06-07 02:58:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Providers of service are not required to tell you about charges or copays or anything financial. As a patient, it's your responsibility to know. (It's part of the unspoken agreement you make with your insurance company.)
2007-06-07 03:46:01 · answer #6 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your responsibility to know what your insurer covers and what it does not. Frankly, the doctor could have required you to pay in full for your treatment each time you received it, and then sent you a refund when the insurer paid whatever it paid.
Information from insurer's to doctors' offices is not always immediate.
2007-06-07 05:01:23 · answer #7 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The doctors have nothing to do with the charges. You should know your copayments before you go to the doctors, and normally it says it right on your insurance card what your copayment will be.
If not, call your insurance company and ask them. They'll most likely have a booklet or a website where you can go to see a full list of copayments, what the cover, ect.
It's your responsiblity, not the doctors, to know your insurance.
2007-06-07 02:48:51 · answer #8 · answered by nalfavi 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is the doctor's office responsibility to charge your insurance company, provided that you give them your insurance information. It is also the Doctor's office's responsibility to collect your copay/deductible/etc from you, whether at time of visit or afterwards.
2007-06-07 02:44:07 · answer #9 · answered by Chris F 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Its your responsibility... and their responsibility... But, you're the one stuck with a bill. So, I wouldn't depend on them to find out. If what you're asking is does someone REQUIRE them to verify your benefits??? The answer is no. The doctor's offices who do verify, are just doing it as a courtesy. good luck
2007-06-07 13:34:26 · answer #10 · answered by Custo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is YOUR responsibility, always.
Usually the person providing the service does NOT do the actual billing, so they might not even know - they hire someone to do the paperwork.
2007-06-07 02:57:26 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋