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Help! I'm SO gonna be screwed on this dr. bill... (long)

PamelaCPamelaC member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

I asked a couple days ago what the anesthesiologist bill was like for some of your deliveries... my anesthesiologist was out of network (I didn't know it beforehand) and now I'm responsible for almost $4000!!!   (https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/6445105.aspx)

In the post that I linked above, some of you suggested that I shouldn't just pay it... so I'm making phone calls and I'm getting nowhere.  And now I want to cry. 

I tried the anesthesiologist's practice and they want to put me on a payment plan of over $300/month.  I asked to speak to the practice manager and the lady said he would not take the call!

I tried my insurance co. and they said they paid the customary 30% b/c it's out of network.  They won't pay anymore.

What else can I do?

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DD1 - july 2008
DD2 - may 2010
DS - sept 2012
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Re: Help! I'm SO gonna be screwed on this dr. bill... (long)

  • MrsJeffsWife2BMrsJeffsWife2B

    I don't understand how that happens.. I never asked if my anesthes. was in or out of network. Shouldn't the hospital let you know if they don't take your insurance?

     

     

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  • PamelaCPamelaC member
    Hospital was in my plan.  OB was in my plan.  Neonatologist was in my plan.  Anesthesiologist is contracted in... they do not take my insurance.  I never new to even ask about it.
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    DD1 - july 2008
    DD2 - may 2010
    DS - sept 2012
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  • lvisserlvisser member

    I would hound your INS company and the hospital.

    That being said... I also would not just "not pay it".  The last thing you want on your credit report is a hospital bill.  My DH was on a payment plan for knee surgery.  He miss ONE payment and it is still on his/our credit report.  It didn't keep us from any credit, but it still sucks.

     

    GL.

    Rylee - 3.28.08
    Malakai - 8.3.09
    Ezra - 12.1.11 ASD
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  • *parrothead**parrothead*
    You have to pay it.  Just ignoring it is a bad idea.  I would just keep hounding the doc's office until you get a payment plan you can live with.  They would rather get some money over a long period of time than nothing. 
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  • racegirl723racegirl723 member

    This sounds to me like a problem between your physician, hospital and insurance.  Whoever ordered the anesthesia (doctor or hospital) should have known what your insurance was and either (a) called an anesthesiologist that was in your network or (b) informed you he was out of network before allowing the anesthesiologist to work on you.

    I would fight this hard core b/c at that point in L&D you are relying on the doctors and hospitals to make those choices for you.  It's not as though you picked this guy.  They made a mistake and you shouldn't have to pay for it.

    If the insurance company continues to deny the claim, I would pursue a consumer advocacy group.  I'm not sure what's out there, but I sure you can find a group that will help you.  GL!

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  • PamelaCPamelaC member
    imagePamelaC:

    some of you suggested that I shouldn't just pay it...

    I didn't phrase that right.  I certainly didn't mean we won't pay it EVER.  What I meant is that we won't just write a check today without thinking twice.

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    DD1 - july 2008
    DD2 - may 2010
    DS - sept 2012
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  • Ash123Ash123

    For the record, most (not all but most) lenders do not even consider medical bills when making credit decisions.  Just an fyi.  That being said, this situation totally sucks.  Over 300 a month is not an acceptable plan.  I think I'd call back and ask for something better, and don't be nice about it if you aren't being listened to.  This was not your fault.  How in the world were you to know that you should ask if he took your insurance.  That's just ridiculous.  Insist that you cannot afford that kind of payment plan.  Ask about any assistance plans they may offer.

    Then, while you're at least keeping your good name by making payments I would continue to argue with your insurance company.  If the hospital was in network etc etc, you may have a case for appeal if the hospital offers no one else to do these types of services.  You were unaware of an alternative choice.  

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  • rachl500rachl500
    I'm not sure how uncommon an issue this is. I only have insurance coverage for doctors on the preferred network. I was really worried about the pediatrician who saw DD in the hospital.  Since none of the practices near us went to that hospital, we used the pedi on call. Luckily he was on the network, but I asked at registration like 4 times. If he wasn't on the network, I don't think there is much we could do about it...same with the anesthesiologist unless you didn't want an epidural.  Sorry, this sucks. GL!
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  • jamienicholejamienichole
    I work in insurance and I would definitely fight it.  If your hospital was in your network as well as all of your other doctors, and this one doctor was contracted out, they would know that he/she probably is not in your plan and should advise you of it before you consent to them providing care.  A close friend had the same thing happen to them when their DS was in NICU, a doctor not in their plan looked at the baby one day because the other doctor was not there, but they were not advised of it and got billed.  They fought it and won.  In the meantime, I wouldn't jeapordize your credit and refuse to pay, but you can always get your money back once your case is settled.  I would start with your own insurance company and they can take it up with the doctor's office, that's their job!
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  • lvisserlvisser member
    imageAsh123:

    For the record, most (not all but most) lenders do not even consider medical bills when making credit decisions.  Just an fyi.  That being said, this situation totally sucks.  Over 300 a month is not an acceptable plan.  I think I'd call back and ask for something better, and don't be nice about it if you aren't being listened to.  This was not your fault.  How in the world were you to know that you should ask if he took your insurance.  That's just ridiculous.  Insist that you cannot afford that kind of payment plan.  Ask about any assistance plans they may offer.

    Then, while you're at least keeping your good name by making payments I would continue to argue with your insurance company.  If the hospital was in network etc etc, you may have a case for appeal if the hospital offers no one else to do these types of services.  You were unaware of an alternative choice.  

     

    Like I said, it has not kept us from getting credit, but I am sure it took a few points off and it does show on his report.

    Rylee - 3.28.08
    Malakai - 8.3.09
    Ezra - 12.1.11 ASD
    Report Reply
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