Just here to vent about getting an annual physical as a “new patient”
Wife and I went to a new doctor’s office to get our annual physicals. Our insurance gives us a discount on next year’s plan if we get our physical before a certain date. Our appointment was a couple weeks prior to the deadline.
I specifically mentioned we are not interested in establishing ourselves as new patients and we are there strictly for a physical.
The appointment happened – height, weight, family history, any additional questions. Took all of 5 minutes each (like a normal annual physical).
Turns out the appointment was coded as a new patient exam. Meaning not only do we get a bill for it, but we also lose our discount on next year’s insurance plan since we missed the deadline. Nice.
I spoke with the doctor, she sent in for the appointment to be fixed and coded as a physical. Her request was rejected by the billing department and everything stays as is.
When I spoke with the billing department they told me that I didn’t have my annual physical, I had my new patient exam so nothing can be changed.
This is the first time this has ever happened to us. We’ve had to move around a lot and so have been to a new doctor every year for the past ~4 years for our physical and this has NEVER happened. I’m so angry.
Anyone have any advice? I am going in tomorrow to the finance department to make my last stand.
submitted by /u/thekid153
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