It's always a joyous day when you receive a medical bill in the mail for services rendered nearly three years ago. Yes, three freaking years ago.
Going Back in Time
Back on December 30th 2014, while visiting family in NY for the holidays, I unfortunately got sick. Since going to my primary was not an option I visited an urgent care.
After a little diagnostic they decided to run some tests. One of which was a sonogram on the upper right of my abdomen as they thought I may have gall stones.
I mean, I couldn't argue with that I had all the symptoms. Luckily it was not the case though and I ended up being fine. (I'm a self healing mutant apparently).
Anyway, I remember paying a co-pay and then a month later paying the bill for services rendered. Done and done!
Or so I thought....
That's the bill with the statement date from a couple weeks ago above
And below is the details of that bill. Yup, an office visit from 2014! For real, it takes that long for you to bill stuff???
This Can't Be Right, Can It?
To the phones I went. First calling the billing department of the provider and then calling the claims department of the insurance carrier (who I don't even use anymore).
Here is the rundown:
My insurance provided four office visits a year that were covered by co-pay (that's my green scribble of the dates). Apparently this visit was my 5th (on Dec 30th, ugh bad timing)
Wait, I don't recall seeing a doctor that many times in 2014
Let's dig through the claims. Saw a foot doctor twice, my primary doctor for my annual physical.....but what is this 9/29/2014 visit for an eye doctor?
Lasik Follow Up?
I got lasik back in 2014, it was paid for completely out of pocket as my insurance did not cover any of it. After the surgery you go back for a check up as your eyes heal. They saw something that concerned them with my retina and had me come back and see another one of their eye docs (who actually is an awesome doc I still use).
What I did not know is this visit was not part of my "lasik package" and they billed my insurance company. Hence it marking my fourth doc visit.
Worst part is there is nothing I can do about it at this point as Golden Rule will not open up a claim from that far back. So I can't even pay the eye doc the $125 to have them pull the claim, then have the urgent care bill the $300 to the health insurance (which is what I was trying to pull off)
In the end the eye doc kinda screwed me and I will be negotiating with them on my next visit for sure!
How much for an office visit?
Here's the thing, I already paid the urgent care for my portion of the sonogram cost and blood work. This bill is for the office visit alone.
- $300 for an office visit, really???
I plan to call the billing department back for the urgent care and see if I can negotiate this cost down being they are sending it to me so long after the fact. I mean, really? It takes you two years to process a bill.
Please Note - This post is in no way me asking for help with this medical bill.
Just needed to vent about getting a bill for something from nearly three years ago. Ridiculous.
In the end, US Healthcare is some of the best in the world! The Insurance needs an overhaul though!
Best Regards,
