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FU OB office (and that doesn't mean follow up)

laurieb602laurieb602 member
in 2nd Trimester
So background...I have a $3000 deductible on my insurance...I know this, so I put $3000 in my flex spending account every year to cover any medical expenses.  Well, my dr office requires half of your deductible be paid by your sixth month (totally understandable) however, they file NOTHING with insurance until after you deliver.  Well, obviously I can't touch my flex account if they don't give me a receipt with medical coding and charges...which my dr won't do because as they say, they aren't "charging" me, they are "holding" the money (but they cash the check).  The kicker is, if I meet my deductible before they file...I have to wait for them to file after delivery to give me my money back...so if the hospital files with insurance first I will owe them $3k and have to wait until my insurance tells the dr I've met my deductible to get my money back.  So, I'm out the money I can't touch in my FSA, the $1500 I have to give them and then potentially wait to get back...its so frustrating and seems shady to me.  Why not file with my insurance, what is the deal?  I don't understand the whole global charge thing, I'd rather they filed each visit with my insurance company then I wouldn't have a problem...instead the bit@ch at the office told me it was my insurance companys fault for not having a debit or credit card for the FSA...I'm just so tired of fighting them about this...if they accept money from me then it is a charge!  I should have a proper receipt for what I am being charged for, then I can get reimbursed...but NOOO, no charge, they are holding the money...well if you cash the check, that isn't holding! And I would love to know how much interest they are earning on my "held" money...ugh, shady people, but I'm afraid to change drs at this point!
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Re: FU OB office (and that doesn't mean follow up)

  • rlscheckrlscheck member
    I have never heard of this and that sounds really shady to me.  Is the deposit for the birth or for prenatal care?  If it's prenatal care I think it's a little odd.  If it's for the birth then it's usually the hospital that charges you and not your clinic.  I would honestly try and get a new doctor, and I'm not even one who goes around saying that to everyone who has a little complaint.
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  • JhawkCEJhawkCE member
    OK, normally I stick up for the Dr. offices, but that is craptastic. 
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  • lolagrinninlolagrinnin

    They're not giving you a bill or an invoice? If they do, shouldn't that have the coding on it? If they don't then how do they expect you to pay them?

    Shady indeed - I totally understand your frustration!

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  • MorissaWMorissaW
    You should call your insurance company and see if they can help you. Otherwise I would change doctors. That is BS!
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  • jlslaughjlslaugh
    Something definitely seems fishy. I wouldn't want to change drs that far along either but your talking about thousands of dollars. Your OB office should be giving you some sort of documentation of your payments and not filing with you insurance is just insane! I have NEVER heard of such.
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  • sabrinafairsabrinafair
    I"m sure there is some sort of consumer protection in your state that at least requires a receipt. Even cab drivers will give a receipt if requested...
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  • laurieb602laurieb602 member
    The receipt they give is an index size piece of paper typed with deposit and the amount...no medical codes, no explanation of what I am paying for so my FSA will not reimburse.  The explanation I got is that they are not "charging" me for anything, they are holding half of my deductible...well if you cash my check, you are charging, not holding!  And the "swear" they will give it back if my insurance pays everything...umm...and I'm supposed to trust you??  The office manager said today that this is how all OB's operate, they charge a "global" charge for the entire pregnancy and delivery and do not bill insurance until after delivery...just does NOT make sense to me..bill my insurance every single visit, that is why I have it!
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  • SMbride05SMbride05

    My OB office does kind of the same thing.  $4000 deposit for everything that you get back after delivery when they bill your insurance (I have a 1200 out of pocket max, but they only bill the insurance by procudure)

    example - i pay $4000.

    1st visit they do an ultrasound - they bill ins $200

    2nd visit they do another ultrasound - they bill ins $200.

    I think you have to look at your ins, and FSA seperatly.

    I submitted to my FSA a statement from my Dr. and they are reimbursing me.

    The statement shows:

    Date of Service

    Service/Description (labeled OB Contract Deposit)

    Charge

    Payment

    I know it sucks!!

    feel free to page me if you have any questions.!!

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