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?