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I would call your doctor and 1st confirm that the doctor actually ordered these tests. It wouldn't be unheard of for the lab to have made a billing mistake or even a testing mistake.
In my experiences, OBGYNs will frequently test for STDs through the pap (even though I've never been at risk -- it was standard procedure)... but they've always warned me first! I would be pretty upset if I didn't give an 'okay' to have those tests done, and then had to pay out of pocket later on. If I were you, I would certainly make a fuss. I would start by calling the doctor's office to complain, since they ordered the tests. The lab is just a the mercy of the doctor's orders, afterall. What a pain! Good luck!
Yeah, I would start by calling the doctor and seeing why the tests were ordered when you didn't give the ok. Hopefully they can clear it up. That really sucks!
I would definitely call your doctor's office and ask for the billing department. They're probably a good starting place. I wouldn't pay it without first trying to fight it.
You can also contest it through your insurance company if you werent informed of it. I had a procedure done by a doctor that was "in-network" but it was performed at a location that was "out of network" (even though it was right next door to my doctors). I called and did a written complaint and contested it because had I known that the location was out of network, I wouldve had the procedure done somewhere else. They ended up covering the cost which saved me about $1000!
I've been tested for STDs before and I never consented to the tests. I was FURIOUS b/c not only had i not slept with anyone, but i TOLD my dr that and she ran the panel anyways. I refuted the charge and didn't have to pay for it. The billing people said it was standard and she must've just not checked the box or something saying I opted out of the tests. They wiped it clean, no big deal, apologized profusely.
I think it is standard for them to test for STDs along with the pap now unless you opt out.
yeah, def contact your doctor first, then the lab and then your insurance company again
Ok sounds like the doctor is the way to go...I will be calling. She should have let me know all tests that she was running, had I known about the STD testing I would have said no. There was absolutely NO REASON to test for STDs and I wasn't given any option to opt out! There was no box for me to check to say I didn't want it done.
Ok. Yes I was told it's standard...even though I've never had it done at any other doctor, but that's besides the point. Waiting on some other person to call me back. Fighting this to the end.
Do not pay for something you didnt ask for! You should be able to fight this until they take it off
Ugh, I hate doing these types of phone calls at work...I get all shook up talking to these people. These people don't seem to understand why I'm angry, so now I'm waiting on the doctor to call me. I should have called them yesterday, but I let it boil up inside me so I kinda exploded at the woman this morning. I let them know I'm not paying, now I just have to get them to agree with me.
Why isn't your insurance company covering this to begin with? I know every company/policy is a little different, but I think that is something that should be covered.
It is NOT standard to just check for STIs. A patient should always be told what testing is indicated and asked if they want to proceed with it.
I would have thought STD testing was covered too, but I never would have asked to have it done. Technically it went against the deductible...but my deductible is $250...so to me that still means, not covered.
My insurance is generally VERY good and covers a lot of things, oh well, I wouldn't really fault the insurance company on this one. It was definitely a test that the doctor ordered so I fault the doctor for not saying anything. Now I'm angry because I feel like I should find a new doctor out of principle. Even though I was really comfortable and liked her, I feel like I can't go back there now.
I had the same problem (sort of). They probably sent the tests to a lab that was out of network. When I was looking at my online insurance profile, it mentioned a bill that I had to pay to a lab company where my lab results were sent. I looked it up in my policy, curious why I'd have to pay, and I guess that's what happens when your in network dr sends the work out of network. However, I never got a bill for it so I'm guessing the bill went to the Drs office and they paid it, since they are the ones that sent it to an out of network lab (despite the doctor being in network). Definitely fight it if you can. Good luck!
STILL arguing with these people. Doctor was supposed to call on Thursday but still haven't heard from her. Argued for about 45 mins with her nurse and she finally agreed to have the doctor actually call me (since she wasn't actually in the room for most of the appointment). Found out what all the tests were...she had no excuses for the STD testing but apparently the other 3 tests were for a bacterial infection that she claims the docotor discussed with me. I didn't discuss it with her, and hell, I never even got results from it. Could it be someone elses?
Was out of town this week though and just got back, now I have a notice about a certified letter that was sent to my address from the doctor. Honestly wondering what this could be...
Going to see what the hell this letter is tomorrow morning, and then try to talk to the doctor tomorrow. Running out of options since they don't seem to think they did anything wrong...at all. Anyone think my insurance company could fight this on my behalf?? Not sure what to do beyond fighting with the doctor.
I'd call the insurance agency & see what they recommend. I'm sorry, it sucks getting a bill you had no idea that you were getting. However, you shouldn't have to pay for it, you didn't order it & you didn't ok it either, so they better drop all charges right away. Hopefully that letter is an apology or something!
If your doctor's office does not reconcile this call your insurance company and file it with them. Explain what happened and they will handle it for you. If they refuse, appeal it formally and explain everything in detail. It should all work out in your favor!
Just make sure you get to your insurance company before they send your bill to collections...that will be a whole other mess you don't want to deal with.
Don't pay it. Fight tooth and nail and don't back down. It's not right to charge you for something you didn't know you were "buying".
The doctor FIRED me!! Thats what the certified mail was. Ugh, livid right now. Submitted appeal to insurance but have to wait 30 days.
How'd she fire you???? I"m confused!
Keep fighting! It definitely sounds like she confused you with someone else!
i had a similar issue with my dr's office recently with the STD testing. i called and found out that the company who does the analysis now does the STD testing standard because they said that if you come back as not having any HPV viruses then they don't have to do a pap for 3 years. i guess it saves the insurance companies money in the long run. however, i don't think that they should bill you for them if they are standard now. i almost had a heart attack when i saw a bill for something similar to what you got. i don't have an extra $200 to spend on a test that i didn't discuss with my dr.
the woman in the billing office at my dr's office knew exactly what happened (i guess it happens all the time now. some kind of medical coding issue.) and she called to tell me it was rectified with the analysis company and i haven't heard anything or received a bill from them since.
Firing clients happens all the time. Even if it something we screwed up - if clients are nasty to me or my staff I have no problem "firing" a client. And yes they will continue to bill you or send you to collection even though you were asked not to come back to this doctor. I would call your insurance company and ask them what you should do. Then I would send a certified letter to the doctor in question that clearly states what the issue is and I would ask for a copy of your records (you techinically own the record and they cannot refuse to give it to you) if the doctors records do not clearly state what you discussed then by law that discussion did not happen. Take these records to the company billing you and explain the situation.
DO NOT YELL OR BECOME NASTY with staff/doctors/nurses etc. because it will not help your cause and you will end being avoided (yeah that can you hold for a minute can become an hour when you are the blacklisted client - and they have already fired you so they have nothing to gain by putting your call through.
At this point if all esle fails contact the state boards people. They move slowly usually but they can help.
Wow I can't believe she fired you for questioning the STD and bacterial testing that you didn't approve! Well, good riddance to her, I hope you can get it sorted out with the insurance company!
Yep, her letter basically stated that since we are in disagreement about the issue, that she was ending the doctor-patient relationship. She'll treat me for emergencies for the next 30 days, but after that peace out.
I was never nasty with anyone, but I did argue with the nurse because she was refusing to listen to what I was saying. The nurse actually got nasty with me, saying "ofcourse testing costs money, duh!" Yea, lady I know that it costs money but I should have been made aware these tests were being done. The nurse also wasn't there for the discussion portion of the appointment so I requested to speak with the doctor. And then doctor never called me, but I got the letter. Ofcourse, the bill is still on the table, and if the appeal doesn't work then I have to pay it.
@ laural That is a good idea about the medical records. Will they charge for that? I was actually aware that doctors have a right to fire patients, but I didn't think she would in this particular situation. I just don't understand why she wouldn't atleast discuss the issue with me.
Some doctors do charge to get copies of the records and some don't. I think one of my doctors had a 10 cents per page cost.
I would talk to your insurance company, they usually have people to work stuff like this out since they're the ones paying some of the bills it should also be in their interest as well.
Actually I would say that doctors very, very rarely fire patients... We have a fiduciary relationship and a certain ethical obligation. (Maybe it is different in the veterinary world, laural). I would say that you are way, way better off without this doctor.
I never do a test without consenting the patient. I feel like your doctor got called out on something and couldn't handle the criticism or the nurse misrepresented your conversation or it was much nastier than you let on. Just consider the firing as a blessing in disguise!
Thanks Mrs. DG - I was just wanting the opportunity to fire her first! Even if she did agree to eat the cost of her mistake, I don't think I could go back there. Not after the way the nurse treated me. I mean yes, I was angry ofcourse to get a bill I didn't expect, but I don't think I was inappropriate at all.
I will just hope my insurance company has my back here. The waiting will be annoying though. I let the lab know that I submitted a formal appeal, and they marked it on my account so it won't go up for collections or anything like that.
What a headache...and I was just on vacation all last week!!
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So I had my regular gyno appointment back in March, and I paid my copay of $30 for the exam with a pap smear. She also sent me to the lab for blood tests CBC and Thyroid. The blood tests were covered 100%. The pap was covered 100%. She did a urinalysis that was covered 100%. Those are the things I knew about.
I just now got a bill though for $209...apparently the doctor ordered all kinds of other tests that I was completely unaware of and they are not covered...at all. I don't even know what all she did but there were 5 tests, insurance company says one was gonorrhea and one was chlamydia. Not sure what the other 3 tests were. I know I don't have STDs, but hell, at least they could have called with results if I have to pay $209 for it.
What the hell? Why wasn't I informed of this? I've never had this testing done before ever, and I didn't ask her to do it. Now I have this ridiculous bill that I don't think I should have to pay. I don't know where to start on this. I called insurance just to see what the tests were, but should I fight it through them, should I fight it through the doctor, or should I fight it through the lab that did the tests?? (the lab is billing me).