Physician vs Hospital services charges

Link to pic of bill for reference below

I got a sleep study done recently. I saw my PCP for my annual physical a few months ago and told him I wanted to get one. He asked me a few questions and I got an at-home test scheduled.

Lo and behold, I get a bill from the Sleep Lab (for the actual sleep study equipment), and a bill from the PCP. I figured annual physicals are free and am confused why there is a “dual” charge. Did I really get billed hundreds of dollars for him to refer me to a sleep study?

This has happened in the past for other things too. I’ll get a charge for the doctor seeing me for something, and then another charge for him doing something to fix the reason I came in. I think they call it “provider charge” and “facilities charge”, or “hospital services” and “physician services” basically separate charges to sit in the room and to talk to the doctor.

I’m not familiar enough with healthcare to know whether this kind of billing practice is standard and normal. Major regional hospital chain in the West. I have Anthem insurance. Can this kind of billing be avoided with smaller hospitals? Or is this just the way it goes? Or is my PCP a crook? Hospital billing depr has been worthless in explaining.

Thank you

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submitted by /u/Tristan_nnn
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