Don't know what to do about OB

IBackBevo · December 2013

So I changed OBs earlier from my ob with my first ds. I liked my original OB but she was an hour or more away (usually more) and I did have some frustrations with her staff in my first pregnancy (and this one) with phone calls not being returned and things not being communicated to her. And i did not like the other two docs she worked with. But she herself was great.

I had my second appointment today with the new OB. After driving an hour in rain to get there, a major issue came up with billing. Basically, they wanted me to pay for the entire pregnancy and delivery today even though my maternity coverage starts in 3 weeks. The staff would not let me just pay for today's visit and see the doctor today...which is crazy to me. And I am high risk and need to see the doctor! What is more, the billing lady was so rude and accused me of lying about my maternity coverage starting in 3 weeks. I guess she has never heard of the ACA mandate that now requires insurance companies to cover maternity. I left the office in tears (which is not what someone with high BP needs!) without seeing the doctor. I am not going back there! I was treated too poorly.

Honestly, I was having doubts anyway because I had heard bad things about the hospital she delivers at and I would have had to do a rcs because she doesn't do vbacs. I may end up with a rcs anyway but I would at least like the option of a vbac if the pregnancy stays healthy.

My dh feels like I need to be seen asap so I called my old OB and got an appointment for next Wednesday. I know they will allow me to just pay for a single appointment and not demand I pay for the full cost of the delivery up front. Now I am wondering if I should just stick with her period. She knows my health history. She did a good job on my c section so if I have to have a rcs I feel confident in her surgical skills. The biggest downside is the distance and the fact that I really didn't care for the hospital before even though it is certainly a high quality, wee-known hospital.

Or do I look for someone new around here after my maternity coverage takes effect in January?

Thoughts?

Edit: to clarify, I had already paid the obs office 500 the last time I was there and this is only my second appointment. Yet they basically want me to pay for the c section now in CASH when in 3 weeks my insurance will cover all but a $1k deductible and there is zero chance of me delivering between now and then since I am only 16 weeks.

ThereBeDragons · December 2013

Makes me wonder if we were going to the same group- I had an absolutely horrible billing/insurance snafu situation this time (which wound up with Dr Griffith extending my lovenox until 17weeks until theyd finally get me in) and yeah, they wanted full payment for the entire pregnancy (3k for just doc services) upfront last year when I was self-pay. And I had to agree that if I got insurance coverage- it couldn't be retroactive. Uuuugh.

But it's convenient to my home and the doc is fine- it's just the coordinator who makes me want to go on a hormonal rampage. So I've sucked it up and accepted that I won't get my initial appt until nearly 17w.

I'd see what's available when your insurance kicks in, and make the decision then. At least you currently have an OB you feel comfortable with- I'd stick with her until you have a more local choice.

mcgeeva · December 2013

That is crazy! Can you speak to anyone else in the billing dept? I would go back to your old doc then if they want to be paid upfront that is bs and you need to be seen

IBackBevo · December 2013

I know my old OB doesn't expect to be paid upfront because I went there for my very first appointment...and my DS. I ddon't even think I paid them a dime last pregnancy until my 7th or 8th month. They (old OB) actually even coded my first visit this ppregnancy as gynecologic so insurance covered it even though it was OB. They did that on their own. I don't expect that of the new practice, but I also don't see any reason why they can't just charge me for a doctor's visit and get the payment for the full pregnancy/delivery in 3 freaking weeks. It is not like I am going to deliver between now and then. Isort of feel like it is a scam...get full payment now and then I will have to fight them to get it back later. It may not be but it is still b.s.

@therebedragons- I saw Griffith, too. Was the practice in NW Houston/cypress area? Funny it was 3k exactly with me, too. Makes me think it is the same practice.

ThereBeDragons · December 2013

Yep, upstairs from the Willowbrook HFI. I'm a medicaid patient this time around but had the wrong managed care within medicaid. So when I showed up for my 12w appointment they told me I wasn't allowed to see the doc as I was out of network.

Okay, that's irritating. So I offered to just pay cash for my first appointment while we waited the 2 weeks for my managed care to officially change. Nope. Because I had medicaid they're not allowed to take my cash. And if they can't take my cash and refuse to bill retroactively- they don't get paid and... I'm sorry ma'am you're simply not allowed to see anyone at our practice until after December 1st. Doesn't matter if your on lovenox and need to extend the prescription because your RE graduated you- contact the originally prescribing physician or wait until Dec 1.

I really really hate that coordinator.

IBackBevo · December 2013

Actually, I think I may be at a different place, but I think I may know the one you are talking about. Is it Northwest Womens Center? I tried to make an appointment with Dr. McGuirck there because he came highly recommended from a friend, but got so frustrated just trying to make an appointment and the ridiculous run around I got that I kept on looking. I am sure he is a good doc, but when their staff are jerks, it makes you think twice.

luvboston · December 2013

I think you should go to your old OB until you find a new one closer or just stick with your old one. I was very high risk and there is no way I would jump around past 15 weeks.

Mrs.AmyDylan · December 2013

@ibackbev, you have some crappy luck with all things medical (the blood tests, undiagnosed hb etc). Can you use @tj1979's doc or is she too far?

Fwiw, I hated my OB practice so I quit and went to a midwife and birthing center. Best.decision.ever. However, I would side-eye a midwife that would take you given your high-risk past pregnancy.

TJ1979 · December 2013

My OB is in the med center, which I think is where her old ob is @mrs.amydylan. So probably not super helpful. I adore her though, and would totally recommend her if IBB is interested.

Bevo, to me it's worth the drive to be happy and comfortable with your OB. We moved to humble and I'm still using my OB in the med center. But I also work there so it's convenient for appts. GL making a decision.

IBackBevo · December 2013

@TJ1979 - who is your OB? If this is a normal pregnancy, driving is not too bad but last time I was having to go to the doctor or mfm pretty much every other day. And I was not supposed to be driving so it was really tough.

TJ1979 · December 2013

Dr. Smith at oga. E was actually delivered by Hurtado though, on the only weekend my OB wasn't on call. But I liked her a lot too. But I also did a natural birth and had no risk factors. Totally different ball game. GL hon. Tough call.

imoverit · December 2013

Wth???? Ive never heard of having to pay for delivery ahead of time that is rediculous. What happens if you paid and then had to switch OBs?! Ugh that is awful. Id go back to your old OB until you find a new one. GL!!

IBackBevo · December 2013

imoverit said:
Wth???? Ive never heard of having to pay for delivery ahead of time that is rediculous. What happens if you paid and then had to switch OBs?! Ugh that is awful. Id go back to your old OB until you find a new one. GL!!

I know! Right! And, frankly, I was not sure if I even want to stay with this OB even before this appointment. I feel like it is a scam either to make you stay with them (because they have your money) or to make me pay cash and then also bill my insurance and then have to fight them tooth and nail to get the money back...or them trump up a bunch of charges and say all the cash had been used before my maternity went into effect January 1. It just seems shady to me.

My dh is an MD and a good chunk of his practice is cash pay (probably one third) because his specialty is one often times not covered by insurance...but he doesn't pull ish like this. Patients usually just pay for the services they use as they use them.

Ruthie04 · December 2013

I had to pay for delivery by 28w. It was a fee determined by the office and my insurance company (I want to say it was around $800??). That was the delivery fee for a vag and I was to be billed additional fees for a c/s or circumsions (OBs do them in VA). With all my MFM visits, I ended up hitting the OOP max and got the money back, but I had to hound them for the cash. I don't know if they ever would have figured out that they owed me money. But, I was with a GIANT practice with at 20 or so offices and billing was in another state. I adored my practice and my RE went to school and/or treated several of the OBs there, so I would have done an interpretive dance if they'd asked me to!

I probably wouldn't change, but that's just me.

IBackBevo · December 2013

Paying by 28 weeks makes some sense because you might deliver early. Forcing a patient to pay the full price for all pregnancy monitoring and a c section at 16 weeks out of pocket cash when insurance will pay for it just 3 weeks later (at 19 weeks) doesn't. I am not going to be delivering between 16 and 19 weeks. And, even if something bad happened, it would be a different procedure and different prices.

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