Charged copay to interview pediatrician?

Juriva

Hiya:

I just had my first interview with a pediatrician - figured it's good to be proactive when choosing your child's doctor - and I was billed a copay for a normal office visit.  I spoke to this doc for maybe less than five minutes.

I tried to reason with the billing department explaining that nothing medical was happening, I just wanted her philosophy on breastfeeding, vaccination schedules, etc.  They replied that if I was going to make an appointment to come into the office and talk to a doctor that I would be charged for it.

So I called up the insurance company just to see if this was standard practice.  Come to find out that depending on how they bill this "office visit", I may not even be covered by the insurance because it's "not medically necessary", essentially making a conversation with a doc that lasted less than five minutes cost $90.

I'm a little pissed.  Anyone else charged a copay/fee to just talk to a pediatrician?  Thanks in advance.

mrs.kapow

No, but I did ask before going in. I'd argue it is medically necessary since you need to have a pedi picked out before labor, but I don't know how that would fly with insurance.

smileees4u

Wow!  We were not charged a copay to talk to our pediatrician.  If they charge for that, I wonder what other little things they charge for!  You would think they would want to be hospitable so you will use their practice!

stpetegirl

No and I would refuse to use the practice if they refused to waive the fee. Our office did have a once monthly evening where they invited all potiental parents to come at once to tour and ask questions. But some places we looked at we just made an appointment to come in and talk and were not charged. I wouldn't go there if I were you. Sounds like money is more important than relationships to them. 

Tricsious

Wow!  That is awful!  Ours has monthly visits set up for new parents and includes docs, lactation consultants, nurses etc.  No charge.  You can talk with them 1:1 also.  It is all free of charge bc they want you to use their practice.  That just seems wrong to me! I def would not be using that practice!

kellieann5

That is crazy!  Our pediatrician has 'meeting nights' where a bunch of people can all come in at once, but he also sets up one on one visits.  We met with him one on one and we were there for nearly 45 minutes- not just with our questions, but some of it was listening to his philosophies on child rearing- he feels that it is important to be upfront from the beginning because he wanted us to choose the right ped- even if it wasn't him.

I would find another practice; this one seems more interested in your money than your baby!

ckred27

I havent had to pay a copay for my interviews, that would make me check them off my list, if they charge for that, who knows what else they would charge for in the future!

mrs.kapow

meganl98:

Wow!  If they charge for that, I wonder what other little things they charge for!  

This is something you should definitely ask if this is your choice pedi. I read online that some docs are charging for phone calls and, as a new mom, I'm guessing I'll be calling randomly when I'm just not sure, so I don't want to rack up those kinds of charges. 

Oriana.Ocampo

No, and I was with him for a good 30-40 min.

sugarland726

I had the same thing happen a few weeks ago. I called ahead and they said they would charge me. When I posted about it the consensus seemed kind of split, charing was not necessarily inappropriate, but the $90 fee was. I opted for a different practice.

cookieinva

We did the research to be sure we only interviewed those not charging for that brief meeting because we noticed that some charged for that initial visit and some did not. I'm sure those that charge are great doctors but we found that off-putting. As another pp pointed out, some even charge merely for phone calls which was also something we considered in picking our pediatrician. Coincidentally, many that charged for the initial meeting also charged for phone calls.

Juriva

I figured something was a bit off about the copay.  On top of how rude the head of the billing department was to me (ie "if you're going to talk to a doctor you're going to be charged"), I didn't even really like the doc all that much, lol

I just called up the next pediatrician I have an interview with to confirm that there is no charge associated with coming in to ask questions.  The lady on the phone seemed confused that I would even be asking something so perposterous, which bodes well.

I know all I can do now is wait for my EOB to come in from the insurance but man am I angry about this.  Live and learn, though - should have asked before I even went in to this first interview...

BrittH05

I have never been charged one, but it also doesn't surprise me.  Unless they hold a meeting night (which many do) technically you took their time that they were working.  Although 5-10 minuets is short, it is about how long you will spend on your average visit with the actual Dr. and I can't blame someone for wanting to get paid.

ColieJ

WOW...

Jaffytaffy

The first guy I was going to interview was going to charge me, so I cancelled.  I'm not going to pay someone to basically interview him for a job.  They should be more than willing to accomodate you to get your business, considering the amount of money they make from you in the long run.  The medical field is the only place you pay thousands of dollars for a service, and customer service is completely ignored.

erin033

Wow, that's nuts! Thanks for posting this....I would never even have thought to ask if they charged a fee.

Violet_McPurpleson

We were not charged and the interview lasted a good 20 minutes. If we would have been charged we would have chosen another practice.

kaiteedidit

I'm not saying it is right, but it doesn't necessarily surprise me. I'm sure the doctor is figuring you are taking time he could be spending with an actual patient, who he would be getting paid to see. You know what they say, time is money!

jaxmom1

I work at a physicians office (family practice) and we DO NOT charge to interview the doctor.  

E&RMommy

I don't think the idea is totally out of line.  $90 for less than five minutes - yep that's extreme.  But if it is a longer interview a copay or something of the like is not totally out of the question.  It's a consultation at his/her place of business and taking time away from paying clients.  Most pediatricians makes less than $100K a year; I'd have no problem paying the copay.

Juriva

kaiteedidit:

I'm not saying it is right, but it doesn't necessarily surprise me. I'm sure the doctor is figuring you are taking time he could be spending with an actual patient, who he would be getting paid to see. You know what they say, time is money!

Yeah, I totally get that, though.  Really I'm not surprised about it either, more like upset about two things:

1. It didn't even cross my mind - not even once - to ask if an interview would be billed because, in my mind, it seems like they would want to talk you into coming to their practice, and

2. The idea that a visit which was less than five minutes could cost me $90 if the insurance decides not to cover it.

Some other PP have said that when they did ask if an interview would be billed and were told yes that it was off-putting, which I tend to agree with.  Had I known that beforehand I wouldn't have wasted my time with them, but that's entirely my fault for not asking.  Like I said, c'est la vie!  Live and learn

CourtneyR2N

I wouldn't even think about asking them if they charged for a visit.  Yes you are using some of the doctor's time, but they are about to make THOUSANDS off of you in the next year.  That is like being charged by a contractor for giving you a quote, they are trying to get your business. Even lawyers will give you a free consultation.

I wouldn't use that practice if I were you.  And definitely ask when you make your appointment from now on.

driveshorses

Some dr's office charge this, and some don't. It's just how it is. You are going in there and have an appointment with their time, just like a patient would. I would have no problem paying for an office visit to interview a pediatrician. The next one you interview might not have a charge.

 Time is money during business hours and you are dealing with a professional.

Stacyc625

kaiteedidit:

I'm not saying it is right, but it doesn't necessarily surprise me. I'm sure the doctor is figuring you are taking time he could be spending with an actual patient, who he would be getting paid to see. You know what they say, time is money!

 

exactly. Time = money. No matter how you break it down. Doctors are pretty split down the line whether they charge or not for interviewing them. Totally not a surprise or uncommmon.

Sharon&Paul

I do think that doctors should be paid for these intervoews, especially peditricians. You would be shocked at the number of requests they get in a day. Most practices around here are full to begin with, so no they don't need your business and they are taking time away from their current patients to meet with you.

However, I do feel you need to be told that you will be charged before the meeting, so you have the choice not to meet. They kind of have you cornered. I think you have an arguement right now that you never signed or agreed to this payment. i don't think they can charge you without informing you of the charge.

And yes, the amount does seem on the high side. Most times it is around $25 for 2-10 minutes.

RitaT22

Wow, I'd be pissed. I visited two pediatricians and was not charged a co-payment. That seems a little strange to me