So as the title explains, but I'll give more detail.
I went to my new primary care doctor for the first time to establish general care. I mentioned that I have been having issues with my knee for a while due to a sports injury and they say I should get an MRI done. I ask when/where and they said I might as well do it at an orthopedic just to get the check-up and MRI done all in one visit. I agree and she says they will set it up.
4 weeks later I have an appointment for MRI/Ortho. I call my insurance company before the appointment to verify the ortho is in my network and to get an estimated cost to visit: 25$. Okay. I ask about the MRI, if it's covered, and what the estimated cost will be. It's covered, in my network, and they say it will be $500+20% of the remaining total (approximately $700-800). Okay.
I go in and get my check done on my knee by the ortho. Then he gets up to leave and I ask about the MRI that is scheduled. The ortho says they never scheduled or knew I wanted an MRI. I said that it is what my primary doctor told me I was coming in for and what I thought they had scheduled me for in the first place. They say okay, we'll get you one scheduled and put me down for an MRI the next day.
MRI is done. 6-8 weeks later I get a letter from my insurance company saying to expect an estimated bill for $1500. Then another 2 weeks later I get the official bill from the ortho saying $1,550. It has line items showing the visit and the MRI. The MRI has a note next to it saying "it is declined by your insurance" for coverage. Or something similar. They covered only the visit, but absolutely none of the MRI.
Tl;dr: So essentially my insurance company gave me the go-ahead. Verified I was covered to get it when calling. Gave me an estimate. Now I have a bill that's double the initial expectation. What can I do?
My plan is to call the insurance company and doctor to figure out, but I wanted some advice as well. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Submitted July 31, 2017 at 11:08AM by HiIAm http://ift.tt/2tRnQSc
