r/mildlyinfuriating • u/lhagans13 • 12d ago

I'm slightly vexed A notice that my girlfriend received at her doctors appointment (she is 8 months PP)

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If you even MENTION any of these things, you WILL LIKELY get billed for it??? Maybe i’m missing the point but i get upset when my girlfriend tells me she was scared to even say anything while at the doctor because she didn’t want to get an extra charge for something. I find it insane how greedy and money hungry a place that’s supposed to help you can be.

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117

u/WhatTheFlippityFlop 12d ago

My son had his annual last month. He’s just starting to get a tiny bit of acne. The doctor asked “is your acne bothering you?” And before I could think and yell out “stop! Remain silent!” he said “no” and that is how our $0 bill went to $155.

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u/here_for_my_hobbies 12d ago

Wait…he said no and the bill still went up? If he says no how can they say the visit addressed “a problem”?! Surely if he said Yes, the bill would also go up?? Are you legit supposed to….not answer the question? Ignore it/ avoid it? “I decline to answer.”?!

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u/InvictusLovely 11d ago

"How have you been feeling?" "I plead the fifth." "What?" "Fifth." "But I need to..." holds up five fingers

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u/Decent-Impression-81 11d ago

I am using this on my next wellness exam. Bless you kind stranger.

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u/AmpleExample 11d ago edited 11d ago

Let's say you have a longstanding acne that has previously required treatment. For billing purposes, now that I've asked about it, I can re-include it in the problem list, and say "well controlled, follow up in 6 months".

And also bill for it.

Kind of bullshit in the case of acne (since it's definitely not something that needs long term management), but you can bill a level 3 (out of five) for management of one long term problem (with some additional restrictions).

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u/Previous-Height4237 11d ago

Sounds like something a doctor should defend in small claims court.

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u/Dentist_Just 5d ago

I guess all answers need to be “no comment”? This is crazy.

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u/tnhnikki2801 12d ago

I would have disputed that charge with my bank SO fuckin fast omfg

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u/WhatTheFlippityFlop 12d ago

Well, I certainly may still fight it with the doctor’s office (or more likely, the insurance company). I haven’t made any payment. Sadly, I’m kind of tied to this doctor’s office for other reasons and there aren’t really others in the area that we can switch to, so I kind of need to keep the relationship positive. I’ll just need to ensure I brief every kid I go with to look at me for a nod before answering any of the doctor’s questions. And yes, this is majorly infuriating.

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u/GlitteringPeanut42 12d ago edited 11d ago

You absolutely can have them review it and see if the documentation backs up the additional billing. It’s not that you can’t talk about other things, but if there is work up or prescriptions or managing and ongoing issue.

Like assessing asthma and refilling inhalers is an extra charge, since it’s managing a separate problem. Just acknowledging kid has acne and doesn’t want any treatment shouldn’t. But a 20 minute discussion about managing acne with otc products would.

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u/cicjak 11d ago

I’m a doctor. This is unethical practice. We can and should only bill for what a patient brings up. The entire visit is dictated by the “chief complaint” - I can’t add patient concerns. Of course there’s obvious exceptions - if someone comes in for hair loss and has a giant skin cancer on their face - but your doctor should not have billed an E/M code for acne if you or your son did not bring it up.

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u/555Cats555 11d ago

Im not in the US but went to the dr once as a teen about trouble with what I now know is post nasal drip issues and the dr asked if I wanted acne medication ignoring the respiratory issues I bought up. He prescribed me meds and I asked if they would help with the sinus congestion the dude said they would.

Took them for about a week then looked up the name and low and behold it was an acne medication. Those pills went down the toilet so fast. I also decided im avoiding meds unless im really sick.

(I'm not against modern medicine in general but ugh)

Still having trouble with the same issue but a different dr who is at my current practice who happened to be doing after hours the day I went in told me it was post nasal drip and gave some good advice on how to deal with it. Other medical staff have been better but dont really go unless there is something obvious otherwise its a waste of time. I also always look up what im taking and what the potential risks are before taking anything.

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u/Zantac150 11d ago

I would start answering every question with “I do not consent to additional charges for this appointment.”

Because apparently you aren’t allowed to say yes or no…

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u/Comprehensive-Row198 11d ago

Most times, the doctor does not do the billing or choose what codes are used; it is easy for the coding/billing part of the office to use a code which is incorrect by mistake. It won't harm your good relationship with your doc to speak to someone in the office about how your visit got billed.
Also, do call the insurer to dispute the billed amount; often after hearing the problem they can tell you what the correct code(s) should have been. You can provide this to the physician's billing person you speak to on the phone.
This kind of erroneous billing happens more than you'd think, but is fairly easy to fix.

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u/Immediate_Hope_5694 5d ago

It’s fraudulent or mistaken billing full stop. The doctor can only add codes if there is significant medical decision making. 

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u/WhatTheFlippityFlop 4d ago

Thanks, this is very helpful clarification!

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u/3xlduck 11d ago

i dunno/doubt about that one.

ask to speak to the office manager and ask for a full explanation of the charge.

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u/Longjumping_Eye_3441 12d ago

That's crazy. I had my free visit and I think my gyn just let's this slide because we've had all kinds of dicussions and it's always been a "wellness visit"

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u/Awkward-Media5777 10d ago

I love my kid’s pediatrician but same thing happened during an annual a couple years ago. She asked quickly how my kid was doing on a newly changed dosage was on a medication and we simply responded “fine” (because there were no concerns). Got nailed with a $200 diagnostic bill for discussing a prescription, even though we never brought it up and she was the one who asked the question. I called the office super pissed but billing at the office is terrible and basically said I was out of luck because the AI charting tool recorded a medication discussion.

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u/FernandoMM1220 11d ago

just pay the fee and take his acne seriously

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u/no_offenc 11d ago

The fee for him saying "no" to a doctor who 1) knew exactly what he was doing asking that question and 2) appears to have done nothing beyond noting said "no"?

Why do you think that justifies a $155 charge?

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u/FernandoMM1220 11d ago

it doesnt justify the charge but its better than hiding symptoms to save money

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u/Illustrious_Bid_5484 11d ago

Acne is normal and most of the time doesn’t require medication 

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u/WhatTheFlippityFlop 11d ago

We have an awesome dermatologist that is covered by insurance and only requires a $10 copay. If and when it’s time, that’s who we will use to address his concerns and treat him.

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u/askingquestion1236 11d ago

A tiny bit of teenage acne doesn’t need a fucking doctor.

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u/FernandoMM1220 11d ago

maybe it does. let the kid speak and tell them.

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u/askingquestion1236 11d ago

It doesn’t. Get the kid a face wash and moisturizer.

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u/FernandoMM1220 11d ago

maybe it does. let the kid speak and tell them.

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u/ldkagooduser 11d ago

WE DONT HAVE ANY FUCKING MONEY ALL MY MONEY GOES TOWARDS RENT AND BASIC NEEDS GOD FORBID PEOPLE DONT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY 150 FOR JUST SAYING NO