A true, but odd, insurance event.

I get an EOB for J's 5 year check up- something that should be covered without cost to me- under the 'new' plan. I see all but $70 is covered, and the whole bill is $500 something. An amount that I found outrageous, btw. We were there for 15 minutes of the doctor's time. But, I digress.

So, I called the insurer (Anthem) and asked about the $70 charge, and wondered why it wasn't 'free'. The woman (very nice) told me that only well visits are paid in full (and actually, they aren't close to being paid in full, but at a contracted for amount). I told her that I had scheduled the visit one month in advance, and that it was a well visit. She asked, seriously, "well, did you talk about anything besides well visit things?"

LOL. Well, yes, we did. J had another sinus infection, and the doctor, while performing the typical 5 year check up, checked his ears and saw fluid. And, wrote a prescription (for which I paid- out of pocket, $114 or $115 for a 20 day supply), noting in the the chart another sinus infection. And, he billed it separately.

I don't blame the doctor. He HAS to bill for every single event (like the 4 shots and the administration of the 4 shots...). But, that is crazy.