T
T Dean
Guest
What is the name of your state? Florida.
A hearing specialist is trying to bill me $180 for some hearing tests that took less than 5 minutes to perform and were not covered by my health plan. My 2-year-old daughter had an ear infection (causing a foul odor), and the doctor prescribed some medication over the phone (which cleared up the condition). An appointment couldn't be arranged for several weeks. When the appointment date rolled around, my daughter was fine but I went ahead and kept the appointment (partly in fear I might incur some kind of cancelation fee). However, I was out of town on business and had my daughter's 77-year-old grandmother take her to the doctor. She, of course, had no idea what's covered under my health plan and what isn't. In the doctor's records, he makes mention several times that the grandmother expressed concern about the hearing ability of my daughter (it sounds to me like he's covering his rear). She denies expressing that kind of concern, but she may have responded to leading questions. The doctor performed the tests without checking whether they are covered under my policy (someone in his billing office subsequently told me it's practically unheard of that hearing tests aren't covered by anyone's coverage, but I have since found that almost exactly the opposite is true). The grandmother was not informed they weren't covered and would cost $180. She says she would not have given her consent under those conditions, but she isn't connected to my health provider anyway. I certainly would not have given my consent to these tests. If I didn't authorize the tests, should I have to pay? Should the doctor at least have waited until he consulted with me when I got back in town? This happened more than a year ago, and I keep getting bills sent to me on practically a weekly basis. I have told them more than once I will not pay them for unnecessary an unauthorized tests. Am I right?
A hearing specialist is trying to bill me $180 for some hearing tests that took less than 5 minutes to perform and were not covered by my health plan. My 2-year-old daughter had an ear infection (causing a foul odor), and the doctor prescribed some medication over the phone (which cleared up the condition). An appointment couldn't be arranged for several weeks. When the appointment date rolled around, my daughter was fine but I went ahead and kept the appointment (partly in fear I might incur some kind of cancelation fee). However, I was out of town on business and had my daughter's 77-year-old grandmother take her to the doctor. She, of course, had no idea what's covered under my health plan and what isn't. In the doctor's records, he makes mention several times that the grandmother expressed concern about the hearing ability of my daughter (it sounds to me like he's covering his rear). She denies expressing that kind of concern, but she may have responded to leading questions. The doctor performed the tests without checking whether they are covered under my policy (someone in his billing office subsequently told me it's practically unheard of that hearing tests aren't covered by anyone's coverage, but I have since found that almost exactly the opposite is true). The grandmother was not informed they weren't covered and would cost $180. She says she would not have given her consent under those conditions, but she isn't connected to my health provider anyway. I certainly would not have given my consent to these tests. If I didn't authorize the tests, should I have to pay? Should the doctor at least have waited until he consulted with me when I got back in town? This happened more than a year ago, and I keep getting bills sent to me on practically a weekly basis. I have told them more than once I will not pay them for unnecessary an unauthorized tests. Am I right?