I am, and thank you. I think some of these “gotcha” charges particularly have to do with we who are on Medicare, and are a way of getting dollars out of us which are not the deeply discounted, negotiated, approved Medicare rates. Dr.’s can refer to friends and colleagues, who can then get you on the hook for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Another thing that is happening often is providers contacting you about copays for procedures, and wanting payment ahead of time, copays not always due. My insurance company has told me to always get a procedure code and call them before making any copay, I had a provider in January try to get me to prepay my entire annual deductible for a colonoscopy, which had no copay. It’s a sad state of affairs. We have to be on watch, and have someone to watch for us if we are unable.

Totally agree with you. Copying insurance with a complaint is a great idea. We should not have to determine what is covered or not, they get flagged if it won’t clear. Sad state of affairs, never an issue when we were younger but now that we need it the most it’s an issue.

Take care, hope your are feeling much better.

It is a sorry state of affairs when we have to be on guard with our medical providers.

I would send a copy of the document they asked you to sign along with a written complaint, and maybe copy in your insurance company.

I was at my PCP a few years ago when she commented that I was due for a DPT booster and she would have it administered. My only thought was thanking her for catching that. Then I got a bill for $400. They charged me for a separate encounter, for the nurse to administer it, and $100 for the vaccine, which my insurance did not cover, tho would have paid for in full at my pharmacy,

My insurance refused to pay it, clinic billing said it was my responsibility to know what my insurance covered, and I replied that my first thought when my Dr. tells me I need something while I am in her office is not “oh, wait, let me check with my insurance”.

My physician office apparently is alerted instantly when they data enter something not covered by insurance.

I appealed the denial and complained in writing to billing and the hospital administrator. My insurance company eventually paid it, but said they would not have if I had signed something agreeing to pay for anything not covered by insurance.

I did send a written document to my physician office that I am to be advised before administering of anything not covered by insurance, but it is a shame one has to be alert for being taken advantage of.

Grrrrr.

I had my bloodwork and in-clinic visit with ONC. They recently went live on new medical record software and no one knew what I was talking about. I had taken a screen shot of the document online and showed them, but still nothing. I reviewed it with them and explained my concern and everyone I spoke to agreed that they would NOT sign such a document either. Planning to follow through further with hospital administration as a CYA.

The copay scam seems like it should be considered insurance fraud, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone watching out for seniors except ourselves. My deductible on medicare is generally satisfied in January due to DME, specialist visits etc.I’ve also seen issues on the drug side where a drug, such as insulin for my pump, is billed as Part D vs Part B (DME). It’s not uncommon when the prescription is renewed . Thanks for the great suggestions, sorry you’ve had so many issues.