Is Your Medical Bill Being Padded?

This is my 2nd experience

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I do not often see the bills doctors submit for reimbursement. Usually, I have a copay and pay the remainder of the bill if there is one to pay. The first time this happened was a few years ago. I received a printout from my insurance of the charges my doctor billed for.

I was more than surprised. I did not receive the treatments he billed for. I liked this doctor and felt comfortable enough with him to have a discussion about the bill. I told him my concerns.

His answer was lengthy, mostly that he was not aware of it. His billing department took care of that. When he finished explaining, I said, “Regardless of who in your office bills, you are the doctor, and you would be the one going to jail”.

I assume my bills from that point on were never padded, but who reaLLY knows? The same thing just happened at a different doctor’s office with a different specialty. I paid a copay in the office. Weeks later, I received a check from insurance for $15.00 and an itemized bill my doctor sent to insurance.

The insurance refused to pay for the procedures and tests I did not have. I can only assume the doctor's theory is “TRY”. I will not see this doctor again for a few months. If it is happening to me, it is happening to others. I find it very disturbing, like billing for hours of work you never did. My morality, like a slip, is showing. Maybe both are obsolete. Judy

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