I am in a sticky situation and want to make sure I am not going into a doctors office without covering my ass (last time with this provider, I went in under the pretense I was getting my annual preventative exam and was subsequently billed $750).
I have been suffering from mild, pressure headaches for the last few months. I have tried various at home treatments and remedies and none have seemed to fully eliminate the headaches. Anyways, I think it might be time to see a doctor to be on the safe side (again very mild headaches with no other co-symptoms).
I tried calling my provider today to ask if they could provide a cost of care estimate for a diagnostic/problem-based visit and was told they do not do that because visits can go many different directions and what’s talked about or diagnosed would affect the coding of the visit. I get that part, but if I were to explain my symptoms over the phone, is it normal for a provider to refuse to give at least a ballpark best estimate? I even called my insurance and they said the provider would be able to. If I knew my maximum cost exposure would be $200, I might go in for a visit, but I don’t think my symptoms are bad enough to warrant a $750 out of pocket cost to go to a doctor who will most likely just prescribe me some anti-migraine medication. Is my only option really to go into a visit with zero transparency as to the potential costs I could incur?
Please let me know if their refusal to give any estimate is normal, or if I should avoid this place. Thank you!!
submitted by /u/ewsebook
[link] [comments]
I am in a sticky situation and want to make sure I am not going into a doctors office without covering my ass (last time with this provider, I went in under the pretense I was getting my annual preventative exam and was subsequently billed $750). I have been suffering from mild, pressure headaches for the last few months. I have tried various at home treatments and remedies and none have seemed to fully eliminate the headaches. Anyways, I think it might be time to see a doctor to be on the safe side (again very mild headaches with no other co-symptoms). I tried calling my provider today to ask if they could provide a cost of care estimate for a diagnostic/problem-based visit and was told they do not do that because visits can go many different directions and what’s talked about or diagnosed would affect the coding of the visit. I get that part, but if I were to explain my symptoms over the phone, is it normal for a provider to refuse to give at least a ballpark best estimate? I even called my insurance and they said the provider would be able to. If I knew my maximum cost exposure would be $200, I might go in for a visit, but I don’t think my symptoms are bad enough to warrant a $750 out of pocket cost to go to a doctor who will most likely just prescribe me some anti-migraine medication. Is my only option really to go into a visit with zero transparency as to the potential costs I could incur? Please let me know if their refusal to give any estimate is normal, or if I should avoid this place. Thank you!!
submitted by /u/ewsebook [link] [comments]Read Morer/HealthInsurance