Doctor trying to collect on disputed "procedure" - MI

[ecmst12]

I'll just put it this way - If the doctor's office were to take you to court to get you to pay this bill, they would win. Plain and simple. Just because YOU didn't know that it was a separate charge, does not mean it's not valid. You could have asked if it would be a separate charge, you didn't. You signed an agreement to pay whatever your insurance designated as your responsibility. You agreed to let him treat your problem. Pay it and quit whining. Next time ASK FIRST.

 

[justalayman]

Are you kidding me? I went to ER and was back in my car in 23 minutes. The doctor looked at my toe, and prescribed me an antibiotic. No procedure was done. The bill was $534. I paid it. It was for a service that was provided. Your definition of a procedure is different from the doctor's and the insurance company's definition of a procedure.

WOW! you must have some pull. It takes me longer than that just to get all the forms filled out

All I was suggesting was that if there were a contractual relationship between the insurance company and the doc that what the doc charged for would not be allowed as it was charged per their contract.

I think the OP is in a loosing battle but sometimes this situation does change what can and cannot be charged for and how much can be charged.

Just trying to give them an avenue to explore. I doubt they will have any success with it but it is worth at least exploring.

I am often surprised at what my doc is paid for certain procedures/treatments. I have recieved treatment where the practice was given $5 and had to be accepted as payment in full of the treatment due to the contract. The origianl billing was around $100. The doc lost money on that deal, I am sure but I don't make the deals.

 

[moburkes]

Justa-my fault. I quoted the wrong post. I meant to quote the OP. I had to come back to read why you were responding to me the way you did. But, now I see the mistake that I made, and I apologize. But, yep, the ER up the street is FAST. Expensive, but FAST. Between myself and the girls, we've been there 3 times, and in all 3 cases (except when we had to wait for chest x-rays, and them being super careful with my daughter's medical conditon), they are always that fast. It helps cause you don't feel like waiting, but it doesn't help when it comes time to pay that bill.

 

[lealea1005]

He took a freaking pin and poked it, then a paper towel (no, wait, I think it was gauze, we're getting real in-depth here) and squeezed and dabbed it for about 3 seconds.

I AM familiar with my insurance policy and deductibles, that's why I would have elected to NOT get a procedure.

Then Dr. Barwick, how would you have opted to treat your infected toe? Or would you have been first in line to sue him if he did not drain your infection and you lost your toe?

The "freaking pin" was a sterile needle (probably 18 gauge) which your Doctor must pay for, along with his malpractice liability, the gloves, the gauze, the neosporin, the table paper, the chart and it's contents, the salary of his staff who gave you the appointment, and/or assisted, etc, etc.

You were treated appropriately and the fee was reasonable. Ecmst12 was correct, if your Doctor takes you to court for nonpayment, he will win. Pay the bill and save yourself the additional cost of court fees.

Have a nice day.

 

[ecmst12]

Justalayman - The $200 is the OP's deductible, it's not a contractual writeoff amount. It's his responsibility to pay.

 

[justalayman]

Justalayman - The $200 is the OP's deductible, it's not a contractual writeoff amount. It's his responsibility to pay.

You're missing my point.

As I said before, I believe the guy is fighting a losing battle. I was merely attempting to give him something to look at that would change the amount due.

If there is a contractual relationship between the doc and the insurance, the doc can only charge a set fee (in many cases and situations). All I was suggesting is OP speak with his insurance company to be sure the doc could charge what he did for the procedure.

Very simply, ask the insurance company to confirm the billing he recieved and the correctness of it.