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I advocated for myself but feel sheepish!

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Posted 2/21/2013 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yesterday the doctor's helper gave me a call to relay some information from my doctor... Told me which supplements to take for the next few weeks. It was very informative. The only strange part was that I didn't realize, but I was being charged for it. Not only that, but for the 26 minutes I was on the phone with him I was charged $330... More than I even pay for an in-person half-hour with the doctor! If I had known, I certainly would have just scheduled an in-person with the doctor (much more valuable!).

It turns out they charge a certain amount for 15 minutes, then $60 more for each additional 5 minutes. That's so expensive! But more than that, what I couldn't get over was that they rounded up from 26 minutes to 30 minutes... Charging me $60 for the final minute of my appointment! Not only that, but I had more questions and got rushed off the phone because the dr helper had to go. So I didn't even get 4 of these very expensive minutes that I apparently paid for.

So I asked them to only charge me for 26 minutes. They refused but I called back and made my case again... 2 more times. Finally the front desk person shared my message with the business manager, and they are going to credit me $60. I'm still in a total pickle to come up with $270 that I didn't realize I was going to have to pay. But I also feel sheepish for making such noise about this. The front desk person sounded very annoyed. I think I'm just not used to advocating for myself. I think I'm glad I did it, it's just the whole thing just feels weird.

I feel so out of control having this sickness... Then to feel so out of control with unexpected/debatably-unfair expenses feels disorienting.

Please tell me... Was I out of line??

Confused Marigold
Posted 2/21/2013 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
No. I don't think you were out of line. I actually kind of have an issue with doctors offices charging for phone calls. Especially if you aren't even talking to the actual doctor. Plus, if they called you, why were you charged? Why didn't they give you a handout of the supplement info at the appointment instead of having someone call you about it?

I'm not charged anything for calls. That being said, in years of treatment, I've only called two times. I left a message with the receptionist and then left it up to them to determine if it was serious enough to call back about it.
Posted 2/21/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
No you were not out of line!!! I hope I'm not out of like by saying this, but I'd be looking for a new LLMD. Easier said than done. I know...but my LLMD takes my insurance (which is state Medicare), and I can email with any questions any time on the patient portal and he responds by the next morning (I usually email in the evenings).

I know this isn't feasible for everyone, but I couldn't afford treatment without my insurance. I've been so sick for so long that I've been out of work for a few years, which is why I'm now on government help with insurance. Anyway, here I go rambling but my point is I think this LLMD is taking advantage. That is outrageous!
Posted 2/21/2013 7:54 AM (GMT 0)

I don't think you should feel sheepish at all. Right is right.

I too think it's crazy to get a call and to have to pay for it - I think it's plain nasty commerce. Were you in any way warned of informed about having to pay for receiving a phone call?

You were there to see the dr, why do you have to pay extra for in fact just a conclusion of your drs appointment...?

I don't want to stirr things up though, sorry...

Posted 2/21/2013 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
welcome to being sick in america!
but its like that in all buisnesses any more. if you have any money left (or they think you do) they are coming for it.
Posted 2/21/2013 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys for weighing in on this... Helping me process it... Thanks for the friendship :)

You know, I *could* have known I'd be charged... In the 20 page info packet they give patients at the beginning it does say there's a charge for phone appointments. I just didn't realize this was a phone "appointment"... I was told, the helper is going to call on Tuesday morning and give you some information about what supplements to take for the next few weeks. I could have asked, "Will I be charged for that?" but it felt a little tacky at the time. I certainly didn't realize talking on the phone would be more expensive than going to the office... It would have been nice to have been given the option. But it was the rounding from 26 to 30 when it costs $60 per 5 minutes that was the salt in the wound.

I feel better about making a case about it now. I do feel I'm getting decent care at this office, but the cost is crazy. And you only get to see the actual doctor every three appointments... You rotate with his other staff in between... And they know less and don't necessarily agree with him... And it feels like more than half of every appointment is just re-introducing yourself and getting the new person caught up on your situation. I am very tempted to go back to the less expensive integrative dr who diagnosed me to begin with. He's on the other side of the country and not a lyme-specialist per se, but maybe that's ok.

Thanks again :)
Posted 2/21/2013 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Marigold,
It's a good thing you aren't around me when a doc's office does stuff like that!! "A charge" for phone consults is one thing, but $60 for every 5 minutes?!?!? And as the others have said, you didn't place the call or request it??? Then it should be on their dime and not yours. Ohhhh, that stuff just brings out the wrong side of me!! devil

Good for you though for standing up like you did!!! turn Great job!!

When I started with my doc, she had never treated anyone that knew they had Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, RMSF, and the rest of the 'gang', and yet I have healed. It's not an easy road to walk when neither you or your doc is that familiar with these diseases, but it can be done if you are up to the task of educating them when they need the help!
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