We went to an Ob/Gyn who did an annual exam and now the insurance company won't pay for the visit and says the doctor billed everything wrong. The doctor says take it up with the insurance company. The insurance company says take it up with the doctors office. And we just keep getting bills for $2000 for an annual exam! What do we do? We can't afford that at all. We are just students. Is there someone out there that can help fix this? Is there a service like the Better Business Bureau for medical practices?
2007-07-12 16:10:57 · 5 answers · asked by Jitsen 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That's the most expensive PAP smear I've ever heard of!
Send them both a letter by certified mail, return receipt requested. Address the letter to them both documenting your conversations with both the doctor's office and the insurance company. Advise them to fix the bill themselves since this is why you have insurance and your doctor willingly accepted the insurance as payment for the exam and visit. In the letter, document days and names of when and who you spoke to in both the insurance company's office and the doctor's office - they get nervous when facts are put in writing. Keep the certified mail cards once they're returned to you, along with a copy of your letter in a safe place so if the doctor tries to sue you for the money down the road, you can show the Court you took immediate action to straighten this out - the rest of the burden is on the doctor. In the future, respond to every little petty thing with a certified letter.
The doctor has a responsibility once they agree to take your coverage to bill the insurance company in a timely manner (most insurance companies require they receive a bill within one year). Ask the doctor's office for proof that they sent the bill in your letter. If the insurance company is jerking you around, call your State Insurance Department (each State has one) and make a complaint. Good luck!
2007-07-12 16:21:00 · answer #1 · answered by Amy M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
BBB won't help you. It is your responsibility to make certain that it is billed correctly. Contact your insurance company and see what the insurance company requires. Then, speak to the clinic you went to and request that they rebill the insurance company under the insurance company's guidelines. Direct them in how to bill the insurance. If they do not, file a claim with the insurance company on your own.
Do keep in mind that your insurance company may not cover the visit, and is not required by law to cover it. You are the responsible party.
2007-07-12 16:15:38 · answer #2 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Tell the doctors office you don't have the money, and they'll have to figure out a way to get it from the insurance company.
They'll figure out that the path of least resistance is to do the billing correctly.
2007-07-12 16:13:04 · answer #3 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact insurance, there the ones screwing you over.
Demand they pay!
2007-07-12 16:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by I put the aid in UBaid! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
don't get in the middle; let them haggle it out.
2007-07-12 16:13:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋