Did my Doctor Code Incorrectly?

I’m at a loss here.

My insurance is a pain to deal with, but covers a lot once things are sorted out normally.

I’m supposed to have no co-pay for routine physicals. A couple months ago I had one. During the appointment, I filled out the packet of paperwork with family medical history questions and depression questions and medications and all the normal stuff I get every time I have a physical.

My doctor and I didn’t discuss the paperwork at all nor did she look through it during our visit.

I got a bill for $18.54 and an EOB from my insurance saying they didn’t cover a “depression screening.”

I’ve gone back and forth between both and the doctor’s office says that completing the one page within the packet that had about 5 questions like “how many days have you been sad in the past week” is considered a billable service. The insurance says it’s not considered part of a routine physical.

I’m mostly just nervous now to ever fill out paperwork again if any random page can equate to a ~$20 charge that I have to pay out of pocket. I went there and filled out the paperwork expecting everything to be considered a routine physical and covered.

1) Was this coded incorrectly? Should I have been charged for a “separate service” by filling out a random paper in a packet of paperwork and never even discussing it?

2) How do I protect myself going forward to ensure I don’t end up with surprise charges? How do I know which sheets cost extra to fill out?

It’s just $20 this time, but I’m worried that I’ll fill out a 10 page packet in the future and end up with a $200 charge.

submitted by /u/dismynewanon
[link] [comments]
I’m at a loss here. My insurance is a pain to deal with, but covers a lot once things are sorted out normally. I’m supposed to have no co-pay for routine physicals. A couple months ago I had one. During the appointment, I filled out the packet of paperwork with family medical history questions and depression questions and medications and all the normal stuff I get every time I have a physical. My doctor and I didn’t discuss the paperwork at all nor did she look through it during our visit. I got a bill for $18.54 and an EOB from my insurance saying they didn’t cover a “depression screening.” I’ve gone back and forth between both and the doctor’s office says that completing the one page within the packet that had about 5 questions like “how many days have you been sad in the past week” is considered a billable service. The insurance says it’s not considered part of a routine physical. I’m mostly just nervous now to ever fill out paperwork again if any random page can equate to a ~$20 charge that I have to pay out of pocket. I went there and filled out the paperwork expecting everything to be considered a routine physical and covered. 1) Was this coded incorrectly? Should I have been charged for a “separate service” by filling out a random paper in a packet of paperwork and never even discussing it? 2) How do I protect myself going forward to ensure I don’t end up with surprise charges? How do I know which sheets cost extra to fill out? It’s just $20 this time, but I’m worried that I’ll fill out a 10 page packet in the future and end up with a $200 charge.
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