Psychiatrist overcharges for paperwork. Do I have to pay that much?

[iamegggirl]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? FL

I have been seeing a psychiatrist for a few months now. She charges me $50 for 15 minutes, which I agreed to because I have no health insurance anymore.

She has also filled out short term disability and SSI paperwork for me. I then received a bill for $100.00 for her filling out this paperwork (which she happened to do most of it while during a session to which I paid $50.00 for).

I then get some more paperwork for long term disability and ask her to right a letter to SSI for my appeal (since I was initially denied).

She then bills me for $300.00 for that paperwork. This $300.00 does NOT include the letter because she said she can't write it for a couple weeks because she is too busy. But she did tell me that she will bill me for the letter.

The $300.00 worth of paperwork she filled out was again done during a session to which I paid $50.00 for 15 minutes. It took her 30 minutes to do it, so she billed me an additional $50.00 for those extra 15 minutes (which I'm okay with). But why is she charging me so much for paperwork she is filling out in front of me? Because of this, we didn't even talk during the session. I just watched her fill it out and had to pay $100.00 just to watch that, plus an additional $300.00 for her to fill it out.

It wasn't that much paperwork either. It was a few forms for LTD.

Can someone please advise on if I have to pay this much. I only agreed that I would pay $50.00 for 15 minutes. I was unaware of other charges until I got a bill in the mail.

As soon as I get this straightened out I am going to find another doctor, because she is not nice at all.

But I cannot afford any of this. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

[TheGeekess]

The psychiatrist has a right to be compensated for her time.

[iamegggirl]

She was compensated for her time. I paid $100.00 to watch her fill out paperwork and then was billed another $300.00 because she had to fill it out.

I know that doctor's charge for paperwork. But my issue is the amount wasn't disclosed to me up-front and the amount is extremely high.

The most I have found for a shrink to fill out paperwork was $65.00...so why was I billed $300.00 without being told up-front and after her getting $100.00 for it already.

I don't think I should have to pay that much.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by iamegggirl

She was compensated for her time. I paid $100.00 to watch her fill out paperwork and then was billed another $300.00 because she had to fill it out.

I know that doctor's charge for paperwork. But my issue is the amount wasn't disclosed to me up-front and the amount is extremely high.

The most I have found for a shrink to fill out paperwork was $65.00...so why was I billed $300.00 without being told up-front and after her getting $100.00 for it already.

I don't think I should have to pay that much.

sorry. she's allowed to charge $50.00 a minute so you can watch her file her own nails if she wants. she's also allowed to bill you for another $50K for writing out your next appointment on her business card.

next time, unless you have a set pricing in written form for ANY services, get yourself clarified on what you are being charged with before you ask for services.

[iamegggirl]

Do you really think that a charge for 50k for writing an appointment on a business card would stand up in court....I don't think so!!!

I am not going to pay her $300.00 dollars for something that she didn't disclose upfront...She'll be lucky if she gets another dime from me. She can charge me whatever she wants, but it doesn't mean I have to pay it.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by iamegggirl

Do you really think that a charge for 50k for writing an appointment on a business card would stand up in court....I don't think so!!!

I am not going to pay her $300.00 dollars for something that she didn't disclose upfront...She'll be lucky if she gets another dime from me. She can charge me whatever she wants, but it doesn't mean I have to pay it.

Yep - and she doesn't have to write your letter either.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by iamegggirl

Do you really think that a charge for 50k for writing an appointment on a business card would stand up in court....I don't think so!!!

I am not going to pay her $300.00 dollars for something that she didn't disclose upfront...She'll be lucky if she gets another dime from me. She can charge me whatever she wants, but it doesn't mean I have to pay it.

you'd be surprised what holds up in court and what doesn't. you have to be young. it's okay, somethings are found out a tad bit too late. life lesson.

well, come back when she takes you to collections.....and then when she sues you in court for not paying for services rendered. and then again when your bank account is garnished, K?

[wyett717]

I am not going to pay her $300.00 dollars for something that she didn't disclose upfront...She'll be lucky if she gets another dime from me. She can charge me whatever she wants, but it doesn't mean I have to pay it.

You as the patient are responsible for looking into the costs when (or before) services are rendered. It is not typical of any doctor to disclose charges without being asked.

Of course you don't have to pay it. However, you will eventually end up paying this bill in addition to some very hefty collection fees.

[barry1817]

Originally Posted by iamegggirl

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? FL

I have been seeing a psychiatrist for a few months now. She charges me $50 for 15 minutes, which I agreed to because I have no health insurance anymore.

She has also filled out short term disability and SSI paperwork for me. I then received a bill for $100.00 for her filling out this paperwork (which she happened to do most of it while during a session to which I paid $50.00 for).

I then get some more paperwork for long term disability and ask her to right a letter to SSI for my appeal (since I was initially denied).

She then bills me for $300.00 for that paperwork. This $300.00 does NOT include the letter because she said she can't write it for a couple weeks because she is too busy. But she did tell me that she will bill me for the letter.

The $300.00 worth of paperwork she filled out was again done during a session to which I paid $50.00 for 15 minutes. It took her 30 minutes to do it, so she billed me an additional $50.00 for those extra 15 minutes (which I'm okay with). But why is she charging me so much for paperwork she is filling out in front of me? Because of this, we didn't even talk during the session. I just watched her fill it out and had to pay $100.00 just to watch that, plus an additional $300.00 for her to fill it out.

It wasn't that much paperwork either. It was a few forms for LTD.

Can someone please advise on if I have to pay this much. I only agreed that I would pay $50.00 for 15 minutes. I was unaware of other charges until I got a bill in the mail.

As soon as I get this straightened out I am going to find another doctor, because she is not nice at all.

But I cannot afford any of this. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

Normally doctors assist patients with insurance paperwork as part of what they bill a patient for. Seems greedy to me, and the laws of karma being what they are, she may find that she soon has fewer patients, as word of mouth referrals aren't generated from this type of behavior.

Other option that might be in play, is that the doctor no longer wants you as a patient. The fees are then designed that you will leave.

[Proserpina]

Originally Posted by iamegggirl

Do you really think that a charge for 50k for writing an appointment on a business card would stand up in court....I don't think so!!!

I am not going to pay her $300.00 dollars for something that she didn't disclose upfront...She'll be lucky if she gets another dime from me. She can charge me whatever she wants, but it doesn't mean I have to pay it.

Yes, you DO have to pay it. Whether it's voluntary or not is another matter entirely, but you will be paying.