I had seen the same OB/GYN since I moved her 6+ years ago. Dr McWilliams delivered two of my babies and then he retired and I started seeing his associate Dr. Fite. Well I went in for my yearly exam in Nov 2008, after my exam he asked if I had any questions or concerns. I briefly made a almost joking comment about my cycle being heavier since my last baby and he VERY briefly (like less than a 2 minute conversation) suggested that I cut out caffiene and take ibuprofen every 2 hours during my cycle. OK fast forward 15 months to now Feb 2010 (i missed my last appointment because of sick kids and holidays so have not been back since then) I recieved a bill for $105 for that 2008 appointment. Well I needed to call anyway and make a appointment for the one i had canceled when the kids were sick and asked at the same time about the bill. After much back and forth between them and the insurance co. (btw my insurance pays 100% for yearly well woman exams and screenings) it was discovered that my Dr. office billed me for a specialty visit because of the question I asked and the advise he gave!!! and the insurance wont pay because it was not submitted as a regular yearly exam!!
Has anyone ever heard of this before? I advised Dr. Fite and his office that I felt they should have informed me of this policy and I really just don't feel like I can trust continuing to see him for my medical care. They did agree to waive the fee, but still.....this all just seems really weird to me. I have gone to many different Dr's in different states over the past 20 years and never experienced being billed differently for asking a question.
So, can anyone recommend a good OB/GYN? I live in NW fort worth. I am all done having babies, but prefer someone who has a small practice and a good bedside manner.
Dr. Beth Mewis.
She is, hands down, the best doctor I have ever seen.
i've never heard of that either. sounds crazy. i love dr. lynn speaks. she is in lake worth. it's just her and her nurse Karen. she delivered my 2nd child and hopefully she will deliver my third! she is in the mcnt network.
It looks like someone (the doctor or a staff member) checked the wrong box on the form or coded something incorrectly. Did they bill the insurance company for your yearly exam on that date? They were entitled to bill for those services. What did the EOB (explanation of benefits) from your insurance company say? I don't think the insurance company will let them bill for two different services on the same day--so they shouldn't have tried to bill a well woman exam and an office call on the same day. And they should not have tried to bill you for those services, especially since your question dealt with your reproductive system. I know it leaves you feeling very uncomfortable about their practice and their billing policies.
No, I have never heard of that, but I think many doctors may be changing the way they do things. My neurologist now charges me $15 if he needs to contact my insurance company for anything.
For example, he prescribed Ambien CR for me a month ago as part of my migraine treatment. My insurance company won't let the pharmacy fill it because they want the pharmacy to use a generic. There isn't a generic of Ambien CR. The pharmacy contacted the doctor. The doctor charged me $15 to try to straighten it out with the insurance company. I still don't have the prescription.
Sorry to hijack your post, but I wanted to let you know that I think that ridiculous practices are becoming more common. I have a great OB/Gyn in Arlington if you want to drive that far, but you can probably find one closer to you. Let me know if you want the information. Sorry about the frustrating medical financial woes. It IS frustrating.
I had a General Practioner in Frisco, Dr. Noyes, who did that to me. Very annoying, and I thought deceitful. It gets to where you're afraid to ask a question for fear you'll be charged extra for it. We've now moved to the Fort Worth area, and when our new pediatrician wanted to request the kids medical records from him, they were told there was a $25 charge for copying and sending the documents. The reason the new Pedi needed the documents in the first place was because Dr. Noyes' office never recorded the kids vaccinations on their cards properly. I'm bitter, can you tell?
That seems like total BS. It does not seem to me as though they could do that. It was, after all a well woman exam. The question you asked is directly related to the type of exam. I would not trust them. I would find a new doctor.
If you are done having children then Female Health Associates may be a good match for you. They are located at Montgomery and I-30. I know they did have a second location on Jacksboro Hwy, but that was before the other doc retired. They may just have just the one location now. They are very nice and getting in for appointments is always a breeze with very little (or no) waiting room time. They do not do OB at all so the doc tends to be much more available. The number is ###-###-####.
Good Luck!
No Way!!!! So where is the line of what you can or can't ask your Dr. during a visit? I think this is crazy and would find a new Dr., but I would ask about their billing first!
Good Luck!
E.
