Doc office asked me to upfront $100 per session due to some question about insurance coverage. They will refund but their biller wants me to email EOBs to their Gmail address. Is this kosher? (NJ)
I went to an acupuncturist four times in April 2022. She’s listed as in-network for my insurance, United (via UMR, if that makes a difference). When I went to the office for my first visit, they said that they were having some issues getting my insurance provider to verify coverage even after I gave them my insurance ID card. They asked me to pay $100 per session in case I was denied coverage or hadn’t hit my deductible, which they would refund me if things got resolved.
It was the only acupuncturist in my network and driving distance – no others were accepting patients even out-of-pocket, so I went. No issues with the treatment, each time I was billed and paid via Amex.
UMR processed the EOBs from the visits. The EOBs said that I had indeed hit my deductible some time ago and the insurance paid 100% for each visit, I owe $0. I called the office and asked how I could get a refund – then things got really shady.
She gave me the phone # for their billing person, but told me that he doesn’t really take incoming calls and I should text him the details. I did so, and he responded, asking me to forward the EOBs to his email – a Gmail address. Nothing related to the practice at all.
I’m a bit hesitant to just send EOBs to someone – I don’t see any ICD-9 or -10 codes or any health details/PHI, but it does have the services and other EOB details.
If it was just a few bucks I’d write it off but this is $400 I’d like back. I don’t really trust that this is secure or that my info would be well-kept by this person. I feel like I should tell him “you are the billing department, you should have access to these details or have the doctor’s office send them, I don’t know who the heck you are”.
Am I being paranoid? I’ve either paid my deductible portion or copay in the past and been done with it, never had to do this kind of reimbursement situation.
