Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Refund

Why is it so difficult to get money back from a doctors office when you over pay them? We pay a copayment everytime we go to the drs. When Alex had his broken collarbone earlier this year, he saw the dr 4 times. Based on the insurance payments to the dr, we ended up owing 3 different copays...the first one was our specialist copay, next two were our diagnostic copay and the last visit we didn't owe anything. But because we have to pay up front, we payed the specialist copay each time which means we overpayed for the services. The same thing happened with Kenzie broken collarbone visits. She had 3 appts...according to insurance the first one was our specialist copay, the next two we didn't owe anything but again because we had to pay up front we paid 3 specialist copays. The combined overpayment for both kids ended up being $70. The last appt was early August. Here it is November and we've seen nothing regarding our overpayment. I finally talked to the billing office today and was told that yes indeed, we did have a credit on our account and that she would issue us a refund check. So exactly how long would they have held onto the money if I hadn't called? And how many people don't call and would have lost that money because I'm sure the office wouldn't have refunded it without being prompted? I also think insurance companies contribute to the problem with their screwy copay systems. The kids were seen for the exact same thing each time so why did we end up with three different payments. Makes no sense to me.

5 comments:

Tina said...

Ahhh Doctors... love them, hate them ,need them. I don't think any of them volunteer refunds!!!

Jaime said...

I have had a credit on Jacob's dentist office and they never told me until I just went in recently for a cleaning and filling. They just deducted it from my current charges.
I hope you get your refund money back really soon. maybe another call is in order since it has been awhile

. said...

I have 3 words:

Move to Canada!

Eagles Wings said...

Well unfortunately having worked in the doctors billing offices - most of the time you are so fighting the insurances to get paid that you don't have time to look at the refunds to patients. Although you know that most of the people need or could use their money back.

It's kinda like when we pay our bills out - what waits for the last item on the list to get paid...

My Life In Stitches said...

Last year my dd went three or four times to the dr due to allergies and each time I paid even though they were follow-up visits with in the same week. Wonder if there is a credit? I believe they keep the monies unless you call about it. Hope you get your refund soon

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