Residents’ Clinic – not covered by insurance. Is this common knowledge?

I had two appointments with a resident at a facility covered by my insurance provider (I found it through my insurance provider). When I made the initial appointment, the person scheduling asked if I'd be willing to be seen by a resident and explained that they were being supervised by an attending physician, etc. What they did NOT mention was that insurance does not cover treatment in the residents' clinic and that it would be self-pay only.

I just received a form to sign ahead of my third appointment that included the following:

The Residents’ Clinic is a self-pay clinic, and insurance is not accepted. Patients with insurance may elect to be seen in the Residents’ Clinic with the understanding that they have chosen self-pay services and will not be able to utilize their insurance coverage. Patients are expected to provide payment in full at the time of service. Due to federal and state regulations, patients who are eligible for any type of coverage by Medicare and/or Medicaid cannot be seen in the Residents’ Clinic.

Does anyone else have experiences with residents' clinics? Is it common practice/commonly known that they do not accept insurance? Are the rates significantly lower than it would be to see a non-resident physician with and/or without insurance?

I don't mind seeing a resident, I just can't afford to go with an option that is more expensive at the moment. I was just curious if anyone had any insight.

submitted by /u/tibleon8
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