I was just served notice by my doctor

[JazzcatCB]

I live in the CA Bay Area. My doc ran a bunch of $$$ tests on me in June of last year. The tests turned up nothing. My real health problem was something else entirely unrelated to the tests. My insurance paid 50%, and I was left with a $980 tab. Then, a month later, I was laid off.

I was waiting to pay when I found work, but I haven't been able to get any work at all. I'm living off of limited personal savings. I have enough to get by for a few months, but possibly not enough to last until I find another job. I can't afford to pay this bill, and since the tests were unnecessary anyway, I don't want to pay it!

But the most important thing is that I don't want to pay NOW, while I am unemployed. When I get a job, then I will be able to afford it. Does anyone have advice or suggestions?

 

[JETX]

Call the doctor and try to explain your payment delay problem. Do NOT whine and cry about the fairness (or need) for the tests. Needless to say, he will NOT be willing to negotiate if he thinks (or learns) you are refusing to pay anyway.

BTW, I have to ask, what medical school did you go to in order to determine that the tests were unnecessary???

Some doctors perform what you think are unneeded tests in order to protect themselves from claims of malpractice if they didn't do them. And I would be very interested in your attitude if he hadn't done these tests and found that they would have saved your life!!