Quote Originally Posted by Cataholic View Post
I went to the doctor last week. As I was leaving, I asked for a bill (I have a big deductible, I know I have to pay for the visit). Again, I heard, "we don't know what the charge will be...it depends on your insurance". LOL. It shouldn't! The charge should be what the charge should be. A doctor's ten minutes in the exam room with the patient.
Unless you have some really obscure plan, the person who handles the billing ought to be able to tell you that right away, or with a quick search on his or her computer! Sheesh!

Just today, I was on the phone with an insurance company. In May, as you know, I ended up having my gall bladder removed. Good riddance. But part of that was, my primary care's office suggested I go to a nearby Urgent Care place, as they didn't have anyone who could see me that afternoon. So I dutifully looked up where it was, went there, and briefly saw a doctor, who told me they didn't have any ultrasound available there, so it was most likely my gall bladder, but I would go to the Emergency Room at the hospital. They had taken all my information, and said they'd call, and let them know to expect me. Before I left, I said, "Now, before I leave, don't I owe you a co-pay?" I was in pain, yes, but still had the presence of mind to inquire. "Na," I was told, as we couldn't really do anything for you, so go on ahead, you don't owe anything." I asked if they were sure, they said yes, and onward I went.

This week, more than a month later, I got a bill for $15. That's my copay, I KNOW that amount. I had no problem paying it, just would have preferred to get it over with while I was there the first time! Instead, they had to wait, generate paperwork, bill my insurance company for the whole amount, figure out there was $15 the insurance didn't pay, and send me a bill for that. And have someone available to answer the phone when I called to ask, "What the heck?" Talk about a waste of everyone's time and money!