Need advice – Insurance and hospital billed me for a preventive care

My health insurance is covered as part of a group insurance plan(from UHG) and eligible for $0 cost for most of the preventive care. I had to go through Colonoscopy – preventive diagnosis (endoscopy).

Before the procedure, I spoke to the insurance and they said it is free of cost for the preventive test and I also took a online quote which resulted in $0. Later, I spoke to the hospital as well and said I am getting an appointment for preventive care since i have spoken to insurance as well. The nurse did confirm that appointment is setup for preventive care.

Now, during the procedure the doctor said there is a small polyp and it will be removed. I was later discharged from hospital after 10-20 mins observation. Now, I get a bill for $3.5K and when i enquired with the insurance, they are not processing it as a preventive care, since a polyp was found and removed. They are not treating the visit as surgery to remove a polyp which no one had clue about until the test was conducted. I have been arguing, why was I not informed about cost or change in processing the bill. My appointment was for preventive care and never to remove a polyp which is not a life threatening. I should have been informed of the polyp, give me time, have a consultation and then made a decision to remove or not.

Can you please advice, how to ensure this procedure is still treated as preventive care and does not incur cost to me. I was cautious and did speak to the insurance and provider/hospital first before I can setup the appointment. This is a big surprise and i feel this is a SCAM from hospital/insurance.

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submitted by /u/MNLove143
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