F/U to "Starting to have doubts..."

Mrs.A&J

What do you think?

 

A recent financial mis-step on your part has caused me to look a little deeper into my decision to birth at *****. At my last visit, I paid a deposit of $300. A couple weeks later, I received an Explanation of Benefits statement from my insurance company that stated I had been billed only $250. It is important that our insurance know what we have paid out of pocket because we have only one income and a very high deductible. The sooner insurance begins to pay for our medical services, the better. I couldn't overlook this as merely a billing error, it is clearly not due transposed numbers. I don't know why, but this error gave me a strong feeling that I needed to check you guys out better.

It has come to my attention that ***** midwives have been involved in multiple reviews by the Oregon Health Licensing Association (OHLA), and that OHLA is currently seeking to suspend the license of owner/midwife, ****** ******. While I understand that in extreme situations emergencies arise which are beyond the control and scope of care offered by the midwives, I expect these to occur as a very small portion of cases, and I expect a transfer of care when necessary. It seems that many women have shared online that your midwives were negligent in order to preserve your transfer rate and posed unnecessary risk to them and their child. I should have been informed of these issues.

I cannot continue care at ***** with confidence that my life and the life of my child are of primary importance, therefore I will be immediately transferring my prenatal care elsewhere and expect a full refund immediately. I would like the results of my laboratory work ordered by ***** transferred to ***** ****** *****.

 

tokenhoser

It's kind of long. I'd cut it down:

I cannot continue care with confidence at ***** , therefore I will be immediately transferring my prenatal care elsewhere and expect a full refund immediately. I would like the results of my laboratory work ordered by ***** transferred to ***** ****** *****.

At my last visit, I paid a deposit of $300. A couple weeks later, I received an Explanation of Benefits statement from my insurance company that stated I had been billed only $250. It is important that our insurance know what we have paid out of pocket because we have only one income and a very high deductible.

It has since come to my attention that ***** midwives have been involved in multiple reviews by the Oregon Health Licensing Association (OHLA), and that OHLA is currently seeking to suspend the license of owner/midwife, ****** ******. I should have been informed of these issues.

Please transfer my records this week and let me know when I can expect my refund.

 

BLuvsE

I think you should just transfer your care - you don't have to explain why.

You're not going to get a refund. You should have done this research before you paid them any money. They had no obligation to tell you that they had bad reviews online or had been investigated. It is your job as the patient to look into that.

 

ETA - Just realized you had paid them for services they haven't provided yet. In that case, yes you should get a refund. Is this midwife practicing without a license? I would report her so fast...There's a reason licenses are required.

Mrs.A&J

BLuvsE:

I think you should just transfer your care - you don't have to explain why.

You're not going to get a refund. You should have done this research before you paid them any money. They had no obligation to tell you that they had bad reviews online or had been investigated. It is your job as the patient to look into that.

 

The OHLA seeking the suspension of her license occurred since we began care with them. 

AmyRI

I agree with Token - it's a little too long. You want it to be as short as possible.

Is the $300 you paid out-of-pocket for the visits you've already had, or a pre-payment on delivery?

Temp76535187505890

I think it sounds a bit confrontational which will make it harder for you to get your refund. Although this is a very emotional situation, try to take the emotion out of it.

If you feel you need to explain why you are transferring care then just explain it in X, Y, Z terms. Explain the noted difference in billing insurance claim and the recent information you gleaned about investigations. Don't go into saying you feel unsafe, etc, etc. just say it is your decision to change care based in this information and you request a full refund for services not rendered.

If you get into the emotional side of things it drags their emotions into it as well and immediately makes them defensive and unwilling to give the refund without a fight. Make it easier on yourself an make it a business matter.

RockyMtnMama

ArmyQM:

I think it sounds a bit confrontational which will make it harder for you to get your refund. Although this is a very emotional situation, try to take the emotion out of it. If you feel you need to explain why you are transferring care then just explain it in X, Y, Z terms. Explain the noted difference in billing insurance claim and the recent information you gleaned about investigations. Don't go into saying you feel unsafe, etc, etc. just say it is your decision to change care based in this information and you request a full refund for services not rendered. If you get into the emotional side of things it drags their emotions into it as well and immediately makes them defensive and unwilling to give the refund without a fight. Make it easier on yourself an make it a business matter.

I agree, you're only 13 weeks along, so I'm guessing you only saw them once, right?  So instead, just call them and let them know that you're transferring care and would like your records transferred (you'll probably have go in or FAX a signed release) and would like a refund for the services that you pre-paid but didn't recieve.  Simple and to-the-point without all the emotion. Plus I paid a deposit at my current place that was more than just one visit worth b/c they actually only bill the labs at the time of service and then lump-sum bill for all services at the end of the pregnancy, so I'm guessing your labs were the $250 and that they haven't billed for your appt(s) yet.  Not deceiving at all, just how maternity care is billed most of the time.

Good luck with returning to your last practice or finding a caregiver you trust. 

 

Mrs.A&J

RockyMtnMama:

I agree, you're only 13 weeks along, so I'm guessing you only saw them once, right?  So instead, just call them and let them know that you're transferring care and would like your records transferred (you'll probably have go in or FAX a signed release) and would like a refund for the services that you pre-paid but didn't recieve.  Simple and to-the-point without all the emotion. Plus I paid a deposit at my current place that was more than just one visit worth b/c they actually only bill the labs at the time of service and then lump-sum bill for all services at the end of the pregnancy, so I'm guessing your labs were the $250 and that they haven't billed for your appt(s) yet.  Not deceiving at all, just how maternity care is billed most of the time.

Good luck with returning to your last practice or finding a caregiver you trust. 

 

 

The labs were done elsewhere and were billed by the lab. I paid those separately. 

RockyMtnMama

Mrs.A&J:

The labs were done elsewhere and were billed by the lab. I paid those separately. 

Despite, I think the deposit was for future services, not just the one thing billed at one time.  IMO not worth it to argue with them about unless they don't refund the difference, so no need to put them on the defensive if it's not an issue yet.

 

aislinnanne

I think it's well written and relevant. I understand some people thinking it's a bit long but I'm of the mindset that there's value in them understanding why you're leaving and how you found the information. It sends a message that they can't be deceitful with their patients.

honkytonk_kid

I'm with token. At the very least I would clarify the billing issues before jumping into accusing them of insurance fraud.

They may or may not be obligated to refund your money, it depends on the fine print. Our birth center specified that a certain portion of the deposit would not be refunded regardless of circumstances.

And honestly, I don't think they are (legally or otherwise) obligated to tell you of any pending investigations. Not all investigations end up with a license revoked, they may just as easily rule that they midwives did nothing wrong. "Some people on the internet said so" does not make it true.

If you're not comfortable there, by all means switch, but it's a bit absurd to be so confrontational based on some things you read online and have no way of verifying. 

oliversmommy32912

I would cut out the whole first paragraph. I think it is important to tell them why you're leaving. I do not think accusing them of intentionally billing your insurance incorrectly is going to help you. If they choose not to refund your deposit THEN I would bring up the insurance thing. If they are taking your money and not reporting things correctly to the insurance company they are breaking the law and with their other legal troubles I bet they will not want anything else brought down on them.

nosoup4u

I just read your posts - have you seen this blog? It's about Oregon MWs https://10centimeters.com/