This happened back in 2017. I went to a doctor that a relative recommended for my free yearly physical (I get one free with no copay with my insurance). I stated repeatedly that I wanted a physical, and that I wasn't feeling bad. Turned out to be the most exhaustive physical I ever had. They did all the usual (blood pressure, weight check, bloodwork), and many more, including X rays of my back. At the end of the visit I saw the doctor who said he noticed something with my balance (first time I hear this) and that I should come again because the doctor that does that is off that day. He also mentioned everything was okay and that he was going to share the results with other doctors in the practice, so that they could give their opinion too. He warned me that I would get multiple insurance Explanation Of Benefits letters but that I didn't need to pay any more visits. I went a second time a few days to get the balance test thing and came out okay. I never paid anything at the practice because this was a physical that should be free.
Fast forward a few weeks and sure enough I start getting letters. Around 3-4 letters with EOB, two from the doctor I saw (two visits) and two more from people I never saw. All but the first mention that I owe the copay for each visit. On the following week I get the last letter: a bill from the doctor to pay for the Xray (no copay or anything). Total: $30. Since I went for a physical I didn't expect to pay for anything so decided to confront them when they send a second one
Fast forward to last week and I get the bill again. It's not a lot of money, but I have two questions:
- is this legit? I never asked for an X-ray, I explicitly said I wanted a physical which would be free.
- more importantly: isn't the multiple bills for the same visit some sort of insurance fraud? I was thinking about threatening to report them if they refused to write off the x-ray bill but don't know if I that's smart.
The bill is just $30, which I have no problem paying, but this guy is triple dipping on insurance, and me on top of this.
TL;DR: Got extra charges for a free physical, but doctor billed insurance for multiple visits.
Submitted January 28, 2019 at 11:31AM by drbillthrowaway http://bit.ly/2TkPOT5
