Meltdown: $50 to fax FMLA paperwork?

dollypardon · October 2013

I just filled out my FMLA forms for my employer and faxed the standard 4-page fill-in-the-blank paperwork over to my OB practice to sign and send back. I provided them all of the relevant info on the cover sheet (dates, job description, contact numbers, etc.), and the receptionist just called me back to charge me $50 by credit card over the phone to release these papers.

Is this normal? I'm really angry right now (it's like 5 minutes worth of work for them), and without going into a further rant, I feel like the administrative end of this practice has been really nerve-wracking.

Has anyone else experienced this? Not sure if I need to complain to my midwife about this on my next visit or just let it go. I know it's just $50, but I'm becoming overwhelmed by all of the tiny bills piling up that my insurance won't cover. I'm over $1000 in tiny charges here and there and am absolutely DREADING the real cost of a fully insured hospital delivery. I'm Illinois BCBS PPO if that makes any difference.

Grrrr...

Mrbatesisinnocent · October 2013

My OB doesn't charge to fill out leave paperwork. I'd ask if I could swing by the office to pick up the forms myself to avoid the charge. Maybe they will work with you?

notkateanymore · October 2013

I've had to pay to get shot cards {blue card/form} for DD before, but not $50. Like $5.

I thought you could get your records any time for free?

dollypardon · October 2013

Mrbatesisinnocent said:

My OB doesn't charge to fill out leave paperwork. I'd ask if I could swing by the office to pick up the forms myself to avoid the charge. Maybe they will work with you?

Ya, I asked that over the phone, and the receptionist said that regardless of delivery method, they wouldn't release the forms without $50 in hand.

frantastic12 · October 2013

My OB's office charges $25 for FMLA paperwork I believe.

MissyC979 · October 2013

I just did this the other day and there was no charge. The nurses filled out the paperwork, then the doctor signed it. It took her less than 5 minutes.

Lyzza350 · October 2013

That's a lot for five min of work. Is complain but I doubt it's going to change anything though.

shortms6 · October 2013

Mine was $17 this time around (how they came up with that figure, I don't know) but there wasn't a charge when I had it done for DD1's pregnancy. There is a nurse that fills out all of the paperwork at my OB's office and then gets the docs to sign it. I was suprised I had to pay anything for it.

$50 is nuts though. Especially since it's something most women need to get filled out if they work.

thetheisens · October 2013

I think I paid $15 last time for them to do it. It's pretty normal for them to charge for it, but $50 does seem steep.

Sigir · October 2013

that is insane. Under HIPPA you are entitled to a copy of your medical records, for which a HCP can charge a "reasonable fee". Many states have laws limiting how much a HCP can charge. Check this link for your state, print it out, and bring it to your next apt. Demand they reduce the fee to what is "reasonable". https://www.lamblawoffice.com/medical-records-copying-charges.html

leahraewku · October 2013

That seems like an excessive charge. My pedi and Ob charge nothing for paperwork. My old OB charged $10 for a copy of my medical records.

dbucks · October 2013

Maybe she said 15 and you heard 50?

dollypardon · October 2013

dbucks said:

Maybe she said 15 and you heard 50?

I wish! It was definitely $50.

dollypardon · October 2013

Sigir said:

that is insane. Under HIPPA you are entitled to a copy of your medical records, for which a HCP can charge a "reasonable fee". Many states have laws limiting how much a HCP can charge. Check this link for your state, print it out, and bring it to your next apt. Demand they reduce the fee to what is "reasonable". https://www.lamblawoffice.com/medical-records-copying-charges.html

Woah!

Will do. That's great info.

margaerytyrell · October 2013

My OB charges $25. $50 is a lot!

backoffunicorn · October 2013

Mine was $25. I agree, $50 is a bit ridiculous.

Stffhappns · October 2013

DH's oncologist tried to tell me it would be $25 just to have the physician sign the paperwork! They wouldn't even fax it in for us. I called back and spoke to a different front desk girl, and she said since we were an established patient she would waive the fee. I can't imagine my OB asking for any money for that, but maybe that's just because I work with them.

Can you call back and speak to a different person, or even bring the paperwork to your next appointment and ask the doc while they're in the room with you?

dollypardon · October 2013

Stffhappns said:

DH's oncologist tried to tell me it would be $25 just to have the physician sign the paperwork! They wouldn't even fax it in for us. I called back and spoke to a different front desk girl, and she said since we were an established patient she would waive the fee. I can't imagine my OB asking for any money for that, but maybe that's just because I work with them.

Can you call back and speak to a different person, or even bring the paperwork to your next appointment and ask the doc while they're in the room with you?

I went ahead and paid it as my next appointment is next week and is super close to my HR filing deadline. I just wanted to get the dang thing over with...I'm sort of embarrassed now as I told the lady over the phone that I thought the policy was "evil" and I bet my coworkers heard me. Oops. haha

hjweber · October 2013

I've never heard of this. It's like getting a doctor's note for work if you're sick, IMO. It's ridiculous that any office charges; mine doesn't.

SweetPriz · October 2013

My Boyfriend doctor charged him a 20 dollar fee to fill out and send back FMLA paper work too ( I was mad too because it's the second time they charge us for paper work )

southernbelle79 · October 2013

It sounds like you've taken care of it now, but I was going to suggest asking your primary care doctor to fill it out for you instead of your OB.

tattooedtragedy · October 2013

I never even thought about having to pay a fee for the FMLA paperwork. I didn't qualify with DD I'm giving my OB the forms next week so I guess I'll find our soon.

Whitterpow · October 2013

Mine is $25, but that is more paying for the providers time to fill it out. Different providers choose to pay different things, but if you have to have it...

azmama20 · October 2013

My office charges around $20, but I avoided it by just having them fill it out at the office and then faxing it myself.

Supergirl2013 · October 2013

Never heard of having to pay for that, least of all $50. Thats way too much. When I did mine it was all covered. All I had to do was call and confirm it was received.