Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much is the bill?

A little over $100. Again, it’s not the money. It’s an unfair business practice. I’m guessing most insurance plans wouldn’t cover these tests either.

It’s not unfair. She asked if you wanted the tests and you said yes.

Working in women’s health people ask all the time for a “full panel” or “regular panel” STI testing. A lot of people want ALL the tests but there is no medically agreed upon “panel” , test choices should be personalized to patient risk. Agree with you that they should be clear in letting you which tests ordered but agree with others that it is your job to know what tests your insurance covers because as clinicians we have no idea. It’s not a “money grab” I promise, it’s just a clinician not having the time or inclination to be specific about testing.

It’s impossible to know what insurance will cover even if you call ahead. I hate our system.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there a no surprises billing act? How did they not itemize?

This isn’t covered by the NSBA. Maybe read up on what it does before you throw it out as a suggestion.

Your GYN is not swabbing you for trich so he/she can make more money. There is no way for he/she to keep up with the specific tests that are and are not covered for your specific insurance plan. Never mind that your insurance can change these rules every year.

I would inform the GYN that these tests were not covered as an FYI and for future consideration. Maybe no one has complained so he/she has no idea. And you can let her/him know that in the future you don't want these tests run when you are asymptomatic.

But to act like this was some conspiracy to generate more income and rack up extra bills for unnecessary tests is odd.

I’m sorry, I had something similar happen after I was cheated on and the billing person was such an unkind woman. Have you tried speaking to the office manager?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much is the bill?

A little over $100. Again, it’s not the money. It’s an unfair business practice. I’m guessing most insurance plans wouldn’t cover these tests either.

push back

Very respectfully, you need to calm down. They were trying to be comprehensive not deceitful. It’s not worth finding another dr.

PS A lawyer friend even had me contact the ombudsman office. They couldn’t help either, and I spent extra money on a lawyer.

It changed my view of the whole health care system. Now I trust no one.

I have had a practice tell me, “don’t worry about insurance, you’re out of network but we have never had anyone denied. We’ll take care of it.”

Guess who got a bill for $40K surgery. Tried to fight it, losing battle.

Yes, we should have double checked. But when you are going in for surgery and worried about that, and an office says, “don’t worry about it, we’ve done this tons of times and it’s always covered, we’ll take care of it,” you’re just thankful for one less thing to do. Esp if you are single and going through something alone.

Hard lesson learned, but I also complained to the surgeon’s office. It’s not right that they say things like that if they really aren’t sure. Of course, they claimed they didn’t say exactly that —- but I assure you they did.

You get screwed every time I go to the doctor. You have already wasted your time 5x$100.
I really thought you are talking about thousands.

My take: If you had told the doctor you had to check for insurance coverage, you probably would have had to make another appointment and incur a co pay.

Anonymous wrote:I think you should talk directly to the doctor and explain that you’re mad enough to change practices over this. She might have more authority to get the practice to cover the tests. If she doesn’t care, then you know you’re making the right choice to find another doctor. At the very least, she’ll be aware of this issue.

That is a good idea. I am miffed as to why unnecessary tests were performed. It’s fairly cut and dried what most insurance plans would consider preventative screening in this regard, and those tests were outside of that. Like what is the point of giving someone who is asymptomatic a blood test for HSV? I leaned that those are not even that accurate and definitely not recommended for “preventative” purposes for that and other reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You failed to ask questions. You also signed a paper about consent, right to refuse treatment and obligation to pay. Next time ask more questions. It’s your fault not theirs.

Oh stop it. Our system is stupidly complicated and it’s absurd to expect OP to be able to navigate it better than the people who literally designed and benefit from the systemic dysfunction.

Oh stop it. It’s really not that hard to say “I consent only to what is covered by my insurance company I’m not paying out of pocket for it.”

Good luck with this, as the practice will tell you they are not liable for knowing what your insurance plan will and will not ultimately cover. And the insurance will jump not to cover anything they don’t have to.

The doctor would tell you to check with your insurance and come back for testing when you know which tests you want.

I think you should talk directly to the doctor and explain that you’re mad enough to change practices over this. She might have more authority to get the practice to cover the tests. If she doesn’t care, then you know you’re making the right choice to find another doctor. At the very least, she’ll be aware of this issue.