Misdiagnosis

[megumsasu]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? North Carolina

I was misdiagnosed for having a broken arm in the emergency room last summer. The doctor referred me to another doctor and said I had to go to him if I wanted my arm to heal right. I made an appointment with this doctor and he re-xrays my arm to see how it is doing. He tells me that my arm wasn't broken at all and never was. I had given the receptionist my insurance card and she made a copy of it before I saw the doctor. When I go to pay my co-pay the receptionist tells me that my insurance doesn't cover the visit because they are out of network, after services were rendered. This bill is over $300 and I can't afford to pay it and my parents don't think I should have to pay it.

What are my options? Any suggestions?

[rmet4nzkx]

Originally Posted by megumsasu

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? North Carolina

I was misdiagnosed for having a broken arm in the emergency room last summer. The doctor referred me to another doctor and said I had to go to him if I wanted my arm to heal right. I made an appointment with this doctor and he re-xrays my arm to see how it is doing. He tells me that my arm wasn't broken at all and never was. I had given the receptionist my insurance card and she made a copy of it before I saw the doctor. When I go to pay my co-pay the receptionist tells me that my insurance doesn't cover the visit because they are out of network, after services were rendered. This bill is over $300 and I can't afford to pay it and my parents don't think I should have to pay it.

What are my options? Any suggestions?

Can you repost this question on the medical malpractice forum?
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72[/url]

[megumsasu]

sorry, I didn't know misdiagnosis was malpractice.

[karihager1982]

I there. (I hope your arm is feeling better!)

I think the first thing that you need to do is contact your insurance provider. Some insurance's have certain restrictions, like one that you listed above.

The doctor you went to was 'out of network'.

Some insurances will make you pay the entire bill up front and then re-imburse (sp?) you once you submit some forms or paperwork.

For example - with my insurance - if I go to a doctor out of network - I have to pay out of pocket, and then they reimburse(sp?) me back 70% of the bill. (Which means - I actually paid 30% after I get some money back.)

But everyone has different insurance, so contact your insurance company, and find out what is going on. They would be able to tell you what is going on.

and if for some reason, you are responsible for the $300 - then I would either just pay it (make a payment plan if you have to) or you can try to sue the 1st doctor for mis-diagnosing you. (Of course - that could be a long shot - as that happens all the time. It has happened to me before.)

Hope this helps!

[ablessin]

I would do as stated above, file and let your carrier reimburse you the out of network amount.

In the future, you'll want to check when you schedule an appointment to make sure the bill will be covered - ask them if they are in network - OR call your carrier and ask them for a list of in network providers for various specialties, cardiology, radiology, orthopeadics, etc.

Don't bother trying to sue - - -if this was last summer, it was 9 months ago - - it's not like you were mis-diagnosed with cancer, for pete's sake.

everyone is so freaking sue happy.