LC venting in Boca Raton, determined to surround herself with
positive, caring, sensible and realistic
opinions..do comment.

Today I had a doctor's appointment.  I was excited about going-
because I am so dedicated to my
recovery and I work so hard on my rehab.  April 20 I had a cervical
fusion to correct a herniated disc-having had a large, black suitcase
fall on my head from an overhead compartment of an airplane.  Having
spent several weeks in physical therapy I gradually have increased my
level of activity.   I now work out one hour in the gym on the
weights for strengthening and then do a 75 minute aerobic class (no
impact)

When I arrived at doctors office I was "cornered"  (felt like a rat)
and told that I had to see the book-
keeper before I saw my doctor. She proceeded to show me page after
page of unpaid fees for which I
have never been billed.  I was distressed to say the least and the
bookkeeper had no explanation
relative to the fact that I had never been billed.  She stated "well,
you received EOMB's from your
ins. carrier, so you know what you owe, you just look at what they
don't pay and you pay the balance-
!!!!{since when?}  This person was emotional about the issue-and I
was offended.  So I took it upon
myself to tell her that I did'nt think it was such a good idea for
her to work with collections,  that her
approach and her attitude were offensive to me, and that she was
inappropriate and unprofessional
.
She states that no-one has ever told her that before.  I returned
with-maybe it's time someone did.
I am not refusing to pay my bill, I am surprised to be presented with
a bill today, six months following
my surgery, having never been billed and being asked to pay $$1978.00.


Will that be Master Card, Visa, Check or Cash?

I would like to review this with my husband first...

You mean you are not going to give me a penny?

Not a penny said I, and I am cancelling my appointment for today.
You have taken up my "doctor
time" with your "billing time" and now I have to get back to the
office and see patients myself.

I asked for a complete financial statement.  The charges billed my
insurance carrier exceeded
$21,000 for the doctor alone.  The insurance company allowed $10, 168.
16.

Later of course, I learned this person was the doctor's wife.

My husband feels I was right to stand my ground and demand a
financial breakdown.  He maintains
that we don't pay physicians bills from EOMB's.  PPO providers agree
to accept the payment determined reasonable and customary in his
understanding and the patient pays a co-pay percentage
which we are agreeable to.  Our assumption, having seen doctor three
times since the procedure,
was that he settled on the payment the insurance company afforded him.
  So tell me, are we wrong
or am I missing something obvious here?