Unhappy with provider

LoveOBX630 · January 2014

I have been unhappy with this provider for a while. Unfortunately, I didn't go with my gut from the get go. Instead, I switched around and tried different midwives in the practice. Unfortunately, I feel that they are just too busy and have too many patients. They are not a warm practice....I feel rushed and not taken seriously. Further, they do the global billing thing so I paid for appointments that my insurance is supposed to cover. They refused to bill it differently. They have messed up my billing and even lost my labs.

So yesterday we had a snow day and I was able to schedule an elective ultrasound to see my baby....we found out it was a boy and I am just overjoyed. My best friend's mom works at an OB office as a sonographer and I am looking to swtich practices. The billing is the issue. We have already paid this giant bill that is the total charges for everything....so my current office would have to close out my account and send those charges through to insurance, then refund me money. Meanwhile, I would have to pay the same up front charges at the new place (minus a few visits as I am 18 weeks) and then we go from there. It's possible that we would lose money in the process....

I just don't know if the piece of mind is worth the potential of having to spend more money to switch. I have already had a stressful year with my parents passing, and the stress has caused my blood pressure to be raised at 2 of my appointments so far. They have been talking of scheduling a c-section anyways to prevent further stress on the baby as I am prone to panic attacks and given the events of my year, I am on the verge of one daily. I guess I just don't know what to do.

curlylocks3 · January 2014

I'm sorry, you sound really overwhelmed.
I think if you are unhappy it is perfectly logical to look into switching- and since you have already paid up-front for stuff I think a good first step would be to talk to your insurance carrier and find out exactly what steps you'd have to go through to do so and if you'd lose money and then make a decision.
Good luck, I hope you are able to find someone you are more comfortable with and the transition is smooth.

Unknown · January 2014

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LindsayDesigner · January 2014

Switch. It sounds like the negatives far out weigh the positives.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

It sounds like this office is going to give you a headache with their billing no matter what. Better to get it out of the way now, and get a provider you like, then stay and have the headache later on when you've got a newborn.

LoveOBX630 · January 2014

Thanks guys. You have really helped me through this. The insurance told me it wouldn't be an issue. That the old provider would just bill for the dates I had been seen. The new provider would bill from the first date I see them on out. I wouldn't be surprised if the old office manages to mess it up, they have messed up everything so far so it would be characteristic. But the new office is having a doctor call me to discuss some things and I mean, I'm not even his patient yet. But he is bending over backwards to ensure that I feel at ease and that means a lot to me.

ncbelle · January 2014

I think it's important to feel very confident in your provider so I say switch. And scheduling a c-section to prevent panic attacks seems sketch to say the least. There are ways to manage anxiety that they should be discussing with you. And it's not like major surgery is without anxiety!

Sorry you haven't felt comfortable with them and that the billing is such an issue. I would contact your insurance company to get a little more insight on how things would work on their end.

And please don't hesitate to get a professional involved in managing your anxiety/stress. You've had a lot on your plate and pregnancy is an emotional time as is. The right support now is very important to staying healthy in the postpartum period - mentally as well as physically!

dmizak · January 2014

I'm so sorry this is stressing you. Even if you end up paying a little more in the long run, the stress is not worth it. I'm glad your new Dr. seems more friendly and hands on. Good luck!

MaidMarion25 · January 2014

I would switch, you will have to deal with all the insurance stuff but hopefully that would be over in a matter of a few weeks, if you stay with the provider your with now it sounds like you will be stressed the rest of your pregnancy with them!

MississippiCatfish · January 2014

When I worked in billing, all maternity/delivery charges were billed as a lump sum after leaving the hospital. Are you sure it's already been billed? Seems illegal to bill for services you haven't yet received. Anyway, if someone left our clinic halfway through, the price was just split up evenly so you only pay for the services you received.

ETA I just want to be clear - I'm not questioning that you've already paid a big sum, just thinking it's unlikely that they've billed the insurance for everything.

chaysefaith · January 2014

MississippiCatfish said:
When I worked in billing, all maternity/delivery charges were billed as a lump sum after leaving the hospital. Are you sure it's already been billed? Seems illegal to bill for services you haven't yet received. Anyway, if someone left our clinic halfway through, the price was just split up evenly so you only pay for the services you received.

ETA I just want to be clear - I'm not questioning that you've already paid a big sum, just thinking it's unlikely that they've billed the insurance for everything.

I work in medical insurance. The doctors office won't have billed her insurance just yet, but they all looooove to bill upfront and set up payment plans. They tell you it's so your deductible will be met when you have the baby, but half the time they don't end up getting the deductible or they only get some of it and then they have to refund the patient.

I can't stress enough how important it is to keep any and all documentation regarding billing and payments when you pay up front!!

LoveOBX630 · January 2014

Yes, they have not billed the insurance, I found that out from talking to Insurance and old provider. Apparently, they send them through to insurance as they happen but they give you an amount that you will owe and tell you to pay it up front. If you don't pay it, they decide to tell you that you can't come to your appointments. It's BS really. Unfortunately, all places around here do it like that. I know you end up getting refunds in the end, which is great, but it's difficult to deal with. Your hands are kind of tied though. Myself and a friend have been rounds with them, and they will refuse to see you until you either pay it in full or pay the payment monthly option. Apparently, this is legal for them to do because technically it is an outstanding balance on your account--no matter how illegitimate. It's dumb.

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