Does your dr charge co pays for follow ups?

[Cindy B]

Last week my dog had surgery and the vet isn't charging for two follow up visits


My DH had Lasik surgery done a few years ago. The follow ups were part of the surgery package.

However, I would expect to pay the copays and I would be suprised when I didn't.

 

[aprilgail2]

No, we do not pay co-pays for a follow up visit. Not sure what would happen if there were a bunch of follow ups but for a normal one time follow up there is no co-pay. No co-pay for annual exams either (other than from the blood lab, that has a co-pay for annual blood work)

 

[MIGrandma]

I had part of my thyroid removed several years ago, and the nodules grew back so I saw a different surgeon (the one that did my surgery before was no longer with the hospital) and he sent me for an ultrasound and I made an appointment with him to get the results. He didn't charge me at all for that visit. I was only in his office for a couple of minutes, but was still very surprised he didn't charge me. And very thankful as well.

 

[shortbun]

Sometimes. My DS has had surgery and the follow up appointments were grouped with the surgery price.

Yeah, I think surgeons are one of the exceptions. I didn't have to pay a copay at my surgeons this year for any of my follow ups. I was told the initial fee included everything. Unusual though.

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, and I haven't been to a follow up appointment for ear infections or asthma attacks in years.

 

[Lilliputian]

I agree that it depends on why you're back. Some types of procedures always include follow-ups, so doctors tend to charge for it all at once. For example, you get stitches, and they know you'll come back to get them removed, so they charge you for both visits at the beginning. If you take the stitches out yourself, you don't get the money refunded, but the doctor has been paid for it.

Follow-ups on things like ear infections, strep, etc. usually have a co-pay because most patients don't require a follow-up.

 

[skuttle]

For my son's surgery, we didn't pay a copay for his 1 month followup, but did for his 6 month followup.

I also must be paying copays at the pediatrician for things I dont need to because I've been refunded 4 times my copay. I just got a check from them for 2 copays. I have an 18 month old so we go regularly for checkups, and older ds had a sports physical.

 

[Danibelle]

Sometimes. My DS has had surgery and the follow up appointments were grouped with the surgery price.

Usually surgeons will include one or two follow-up visits.

 

[Nancy]

Good point, my OB bill I paid one co-pay for the whole 9 months of office visits.

That is because maternity is billed as global charges..they don't bill insurance until the baby is born and then they bill a code that includes all pre, delivery and post visits under that one code.

For the followup co-pays. It usually will depend on what the follow up is for. Most surgical procedures have global days..so if they bill a procedure code that has say a 30 day global attached to it that means any office visit afterwards in that 30 day time frame would deny through insurance as global to the main procedure..so no copay should be due.

For a sick visit to a doctors office no global periods so for each visit afterwards they are billed as a new visit and the copays apply.

 

[mhsjax]

Good point, my OB bill I paid one co-pay for the whole 9 months of office visits.

Pregnancy is one event that all office visits for regular prenatal checks are included. An insurance company will not pay for each individual office visit, unless for some reason you don't deliver with that Dr or you should happen to miscarry, then they turn around and bill individual office visits that they cared for you. Sorry, 10 years in an OB/GYN. It is beaten into my brain.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We always pay for follow up appointments.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

The amount of $ you pay and when and why you pay are usually determined by the type of health care coverage you have not your Dr.

 

[sparklynails23]

Having dealt with asthma for years, my kids and I have never had that many follow-up visits. Why not go once next week?