Serious, I used to think that insurance companies are the caused of driving up the health care cost because I keep seeing higher premiums in my coverage. But now I have learned that the freaking doctors/dentists/optometrists are the ones squeezing our necks for money without we even knowing. Here are examples: I got my 2 wisdom teeth taken out 1.5 years ago, and the dentist charged my insurance $ 2800 ($ 1900 each) and I paid $ 50 deductible. Two months ago, my gf had 2 wisdom teeth taken out too, but she doesn't have dental coverage, she paid by check, and the dentist charges her $ 800 each, total of $ 1600. I was like... wth... and the dentist told us that because we dont have insurance, they'll charge us less....This all makes sense now, since if they charges us $ 1900 each tooth, how the hell can we pay it out from pocket, only the insurance companycan. So basically, the doctorswill be very happy to see if you have insurance coverage. How do I report to insurance company on this?
i made a typo, it should be $ 3,800, not $ 2,800.
"Don't be too quick to complain...
Your girlfriend probably got a 'courtesy discount' because she doesn't have insurance... we do that, too."
Exactly! If you can just charge the same amount to insurance company, the cost wouldn't be so high. Usually insurance benefits state that they will pay after deductible, or about 80% coinssurance (you pay 20%). So doing the math, the main factor driven up the cost is the doctors/dentists charging too much. They already gained profit from charging lower amount in cash, yet, making it triple in charging the insurance.
Free Thnkr
there should be a website using google search for reporting medical malpractice or goto webmd and see if there is an option for this
toots
Malpractice is defined as treatment which actually harms the patient. It has absolutely nothing to do with billing practices.
As for billing the insurance company goes, the insurance will pay the practitioner the going rate in the area, which must be "reasonable and necessary".
Just because the dentist billed the insurance company that amount, that does not mean he will get it. Insurance companies pay between 60% and 80% of the billed amount.
It is strictly up to the practitioner to charge whatever the market will bear, which of course also means they can negotiate prices for cash-paying patients.
CDA~NY
Don't be too quick to complain...
Your girlfriend probably got a 'courtesy discount' because she doesn't have insurance... we do that, too.
Orignal From: Tips: how do i report malpractice in medical offices (dental, vision, family medical)?
Post a Comment