What do I do?!

Jparke2

Hello ladies

So back in October, I was scheduled for my NT scan. They scheduled me based on my LMP and not on the date of ovulation, so I expressed to them on the phone during scheduling that I thought this was too early and that I thought I should come in a week or two later just to be safe. They reassured me that they account for that kind of thing when scheduling and so everything would be fine. Well, of course when I got the NT scan done, it was indeed too early. At first I didn't mind, because it meant that I would get to see my baby twice! But now I'm getting the bill for both, and when I discussed the issue with billing, they basically told me that there is nothing I can do to dispute it because I came in and had the test done both times, therefore they have to charge me for both.

What would you guys do in this situation? I was assured that it would not be too early for the test and then was told that it was too early and would have to come back, so I don't see how that could possibly be my fault! Also, they sent the first bill to my mom's address (I guess they had it on file from long ago when I went to that hospital as a kid) and the second bill they didn't send anywhere! I was alerted about the second bill by my online web portal, but the first one is nowhere to be seen, except for the paper bill that my mom got! What the heck is going on here!?

This whole thing has got me feelin like this:

 

Kurrant

Oh man, I would make a huge stink about it. Likely I would have mentioned it at the first appointment that I won't pay for two when I'm sure I'm correct. DH gets really embarrassed that I make a fuss about things when I don't think its fair but I think that's just because NZers tend to be more reserved ( He would rather be angry silently than deal with the issue :P )

Jparke2

Yeah, I guess I should have said something about it during the first appointment. I hate conflict and I'm awkward, so my plan was to wait and see if they billed me and go from there. But now its all very confusing since I didn't really get bills, I just found out I owed money. It would be easier if the scan was done where my OB is, but its done at an office at the hospital, so there are THREE different billing departments I'm dealing with; my OB, the office that did the scan, and the hospital billing. I've called all of them and am currently on hold with the last one. Only 15 callers ahead of me! UGH

mrstmoose

If they are in the wrong (and it sounds like they are), I would not pay for something twice. Tough luck on their part. I would make a huge stink about it until they decide to not bill.

Jparke2

OK, good! I feel more inspired now. I mean, I could just write the check and this would all be over, no more phone calls and jumping through hoops. But darn it, I don't want to pay twice!

countrygrl5533

I don't know. I mean, you had two ultrasounds. Yes, they miscalculated but you kept the appt even though you weren't overly sure if you should. Ultrasounds are expensive. Last pregnancy ins didn't cover them and I had 4 of them...at $300-700 a pop. So I get not wanting to pay when they were the ones that assured you that you should keep the appt. But this situation, as sucky as it is, I'd probably just pay.

Also, dealing with medical billing stuff is a huge PITA. I hear you on that one. I despise it with a passion. No one ever has an answer, ever. And then they take almost a year to charge you for stuff...after you think you're all paid off. Ridiculous.

Jparke2

UGH, so I've been on hold forever only to realize that the phone number that was given to me (by my OB's office) is for a hospital system in Indiana. I live in Maryland.

Lusitano8

I don't know what legal argument you have since you did go in to have the US twice. However I think you could make a huge fuss about it. Call the office manager and as high up as you can go. Tell them you spoke to the scheduler about this issue and you won't pay for both tests. You might get passed around a lot and spend a lot of time on the phone but it's worth a try if you are willing to bug them a bunch. 

Also not sure what would happen if you just don't pay the one that went to your moms. But I wouldn't pay unless they send it to your house.  

Did you say anything when they said your results were inconclusive after the first one. Like "I brought it up that it would be too early and the scheduler wouldn't listen, I don't want to pay for both"?

LadySamLady

Whomever it was that assured you that the timing was right for the first scan is the responsible party here, absolutely. Especially since you raised the concern before confirming the appointment. I'd fight it until I was blue in the face, just make sure you are kind and courteous as you kick ass. Good luck!! What a pain!

Missingchampagne

I agree with the previous posters who said you don't have much grounds, unfortunately. Especially since the test was done outside of their own office - the hospital providing the service performed the service. As far as they are concerned, you were prescribed an ultrasound, came in for it, and then had it done. Then it happened again. So you pay for both, as do their technicians. Unless your OB office agrees they want to foot the bill for their mix-up, which essentially comes down to their word against yours, you're not going to have much luck here.

krisspy22

If it makes you feel any better my insurance is supposed to cover prenatal office visits 100%. Low and behold I got a bill about 2 weeks after my first appointment. I called and asked why I was being billed when my plan says I'm covered 100%. Their response was that my pregnancy wasn't medically confirmed when I came in for the appointment, so therefore it didn't count as a prenatal visit. Insurance companies are the master of loopholes.

Jparke2

Thanks for all the responses! I think I will continue to see if I can get anywhere with fighting it, but if I get to a point where its just taking up too much time and effort, I'm just going to pay it. Its not even that expensive, its just the whole principle of the thing that bugs me.

@Lusitano8 when they did the ultrasound at the first appointment and said "Oh, it looks like its too early!" I think I said something along the lines of "Yeah, I knew it would be." I didn't really fight it because like I said, I'm scared of confrontation haha. I can't recall what I said at the front desk when I had to schedule the later appointment, but I think I casually mentioned that it was too early and I had been concerned about that when scheduling. I don't think I specifically mentioned that I had brought it up to the first lady who scheduled me, and I should have.. I really should have been more aggressive about it at the time, but again, I was thinking that I'd wait until I got the bills, which I guess is my own fault. 

@KDennise202, this happened to me too! I got charged over $200 and the bill basically said its because they were establishing me as a patient and confirming my pregnancy. I'm so over all of this insurance stuff. I went through a huge ordeal in the first month because that was also the month I turned 26, which meant I was switching off my parents' insurance and onto a new policy with my husband. Our deductible is RIDICULOUS. Fortunately, my father is my boss and the company has a policy where once you pay a portion of your deductible, the company will reimburse you for the rest until your deductible is met. I guess it ends up being cheaper for him than giving us better insurance with a lower deductible. So that is one good thing in all of this for me! Who knew one of the biggest stressers of pregnancy would be all of this insurance and billing BS!!!

Sunshinebins

Are you sure it's not the same bill since only one is showing up in your online portal? I've had them do this before where they realize they sent the bill to an old address so they send a new one. Or in this case, don't but put it online.

Jparke2

Sunshinebins said:

Are you sure it's not the same bill since only one is showing up in your online portal? I've had them do this before where they realize they sent the bill to an old address so they send a new one. Or in this case, don't but put it online.

Unfortunately, yes I'm sure. Its for different amounts and different dates

amscape

Unfortunately I think you'll end up having to pay but it's 100% worth attempting to fight it. You never know what might happen! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Good luck!