And another Wednesday has arrived. Hope everybody here has a good one!
..........
A few things to vent about, but I'll spread them out over a few days.
How many of you here have a physician that CHARGES FOR DOING REFERRALS?
At my Dad's last physical, we walked out with a referral to a radiology place
for an ultrasound. Did not think anything of it until a bill showed up for $15
(from the physician) with not much explanation.
I called to find out what it was all about. I was told that he charges for orders
for bloodwork or referrals for xrays/ultrasounds/other
WHEN THEY COME DURING
AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL (which has $0 cop-pay) (and which are now called "wellness
exams"
). If those things come during a regular office visit (non-free, with
co-pay), then there is NO charge.
You have *GOT* to be kidding!!! I went from "zero-to-witch" in 0.2 seconds.
So a FREE THING now becomes NOT FREE.
So then I called his
insurance company. I was told that practice has become
VERY commonplace. It's rather sporadic for non-Medicare patients, but fairly
widespread for those over 65. And it has nothing to do with insurers... they
are totally out of the loop. It's physician-specific and $ stays in the practice.
You have *GOT* to be kidding me!!!
Well, Dad's next appointment (a regular check-up) is the 27th. "WE" (aka
ME)
will be having a chat with the doc about this.
Grrr.
Anybody here have the same thing??? (My guess is "no".)
