I had genetic screening done through Natera which is my OB provider’s option. When I was explained the options for payment, I was told if I go through my insurance, Natera will provide me an estimate. If I don’t like it I can choose to pay out of pocket which is $249. OK.
So I get an estimate – they are in network (BCBS-Highmark/NJ, I’m in PA my insurance is through NJ employer) – the estimate is $40. I say great and we go through insurance. Since then I have been monitoring my EOB. Natera bills my insurance $3900 which ends of processing as Out of Network leaving me with a responsibility of $3061.66.
I have been calling them every month since October to get a clear answer on what the hell is going on. In the mean time I got a check from BCBS for $838.34, so I need to figure out what they want to me do with this. This check is made out to me but to pay for the OON services of Natera. The portion BCBS paid. They can’t help because my bill is not finalized..
Anyway, in one of the calls, Natera tells me “Oh we thought you were in network when we gave you the estimate, but our contract actually expired in August, and we didn’t renew in time, so we are out of network now.” I tell them that is not what they gave me as an estimate and that if I had known I would go the out of pocket route. They reassure me that it will be adjusted.
I receive a text from Natera yesterday saying, “we were communicated you have a check from BCBS for us, contact us in 48 hrs or we will send you to collections”. So I call them back. The rep on the phone tells me “oh I see, your bill is for $838.34 (for the check amount). you can either endorse it and send it to our PO Box or pay it with a credit card through the portal” I say ok, the bill doesn’t show up in the portal yet. She says it was just cut give it a day or two.
Today I look at the portal and my bill is for $1587.34. Which is the $838.34 + $700 (my out of network deductible). At this point I am at my wits end with this company. I will call again, and I will calmly explain that I only went through my insurance because they told me they were in network and my estimate was $40. And reassured me again again that I wouldn’t be responsible for any difference.
Anything else I can do about this?? I read on BBB and other reddit posts that Natera does this all the time. What organization/agency can I contact about this? What options do I have with the provider??
Note: I know I should have contacted BCBS to confirm that they are in network – which I normally always do, but in the haze of early pregnancy shenanigans, I took this companies word for it…
submitted by /u/pililies
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I had genetic screening done through Natera which is my OB provider’s option. When I was explained the options for payment, I was told if I go through my insurance, Natera will provide me an estimate. If I don’t like it I can choose to pay out of pocket which is $249. OK. So I get an estimate – they are in network (BCBS-Highmark/NJ, I’m in PA my insurance is through NJ employer) – the estimate is $40. I say great and we go through insurance. Since then I have been monitoring my EOB. Natera bills my insurance $3900 which ends of processing as Out of Network leaving me with a responsibility of $3061.66. I have been calling them every month since October to get a clear answer on what the hell is going on. In the mean time I got a check from BCBS for $838.34, so I need to figure out what they want to me do with this. This check is made out to me but to pay for the OON services of Natera. The portion BCBS paid. They can’t help because my bill is not finalized.. Anyway, in one of the calls, Natera tells me “Oh we thought you were in network when we gave you the estimate, but our contract actually expired in August, and we didn’t renew in time, so we are out of network now.” I tell them that is not what they gave me as an estimate and that if I had known I would go the out of pocket route. They reassure me that it will be adjusted. I receive a text from Natera yesterday saying, “we were communicated you have a check from BCBS for us, contact us in 48 hrs or we will send you to collections”. So I call them back. The rep on the phone tells me “oh I see, your bill is for $838.34 (for the check amount). you can either endorse it and send it to our PO Box or pay it with a credit card through the portal” I say ok, the bill doesn’t show up in the portal yet. She says it was just cut give it a day or two. Today I look at the portal and my bill is for $1587.34. Which is the $838.34 + $700 (my out of network deductible). At this point I am at my wits end with this company. I will call again, and I will calmly explain that I only went through my insurance because they told me they were in network and my estimate was $40. And reassured me again again that I wouldn’t be responsible for any difference. Anything else I can do about this?? I read on BBB and other reddit posts that Natera does this all the time. What organization/agency can I contact about this? What options do I have with the provider?? Note: I know I should have contacted BCBS to confirm that they are in network – which I normally always do, but in the haze of early pregnancy shenanigans, I took this companies word for it…
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