Confirmation appointment via phone

chapenroe

I am equal parts amused and flabbergasted: I just called my OBGYN (the same one I used for my 1st pregnancy) and requested an initial appointment. The receptionist told me they're no longer doing confirmation appointments in the office, rather they're doing them on the phone. "That's ok then, I'll just skip the confirmation appointment and schedule the ultrasound when the office is open again," I said. But I was then told that I can't have an ultrasound without completing a confirmation appointment. 

This is how I envision the confirmation phone call going down:
Nurse: have you taken a pregnancy test?
Me: Yes
Nurse: what was the result?
Me: Positive
Nurse: Don't eat cold lunch meat, sushi, smoke, or drink alcohol. *bills my insurance $400*

bearmomma1

@chapenroe This could be in the WTF thread. And seriously, wtf? I hope they don't bill your insurance for a phone call. When is your confirmation appointment scheduled for? and did they end up scheduling your ultrasound after?

chapenroe

My insurance will definitely be billed for the phone call. I have a number of friends in the healthcare field and they've told me tele-health appointments are billed at the same rate as in-office visits. I could see how some first-time moms would be ok with the phone call version of the confirmation appointment because they probably have a larger number of questions. But why can't it be optional instead of obligatory? The "appointment" is next Tuesday so I'll reply here with details.  

willashbaby

Exactly, what a croc of insurance claiming BS. They totally will bill the insurance company. This is the nonsense I'm NOT looking forward to. I would happily skip all appointments with the exception of bloodwork/NECESSARY scans. 

JBcakes08

That is seriously WTF - some things are not eligible for tele-appointments, such as this. I'm curious what they will do on the phone call, please update us! 

dancingtreepose

Maybe it will be a Zoom meeting... let's hope your webcam doesn't fog up!

willashbaby

@dancingtreepose OMG could you imagine?

jbal918

@chapenroe Wow! That’s crazy! I’m waiting for when my OBGYN will tell me to come in for the first ultrasound/first appointment based on my lab results tomorrow. Did they send you for labs at least?

gh1219

This is bonkers and other OBs are NOT doing this... because it's medically unnecessary.

If I heard that news I would ask for the doctor comment on why the appointment was medically necessary for a multip mother who has had usual prenatal care previously at the same practice.

Bonkers.

antera23

@chapenroe same. I was joking with my partner that I could text them a picture of the 4 PG tests I took