Insurance mess up question

[JoiseyMom]

Hey. I had an annual check up and someone at the doctors office sent all my lab samples to the wrong lab (as in the lab that isn't covered by my insurance).

Do I have to pay this? Or does the doctors office? My insurance has been the same for three years. The lab is the same as it has been last year. They sent my lab work in July and last January to the correct lab. And the doctor gave me paperwork for more tests at the correct lab.

So do I call the doctors office? I haven't received a bill yet from the lab, I just saw the claim online.

 

[Swimalie]

Something similar happened to me and I managed to get the bill from $600 to $60 (it was multiple labs sent over time without telling me). So, this is what I did - when I started getting the bills, I would call the insurance company and see what they said. My problem was that the blood was sent to a lab who, known by the doctor's office, was not covered. They had access to 2 labs and they chose the one they knew was not covered. Insurance company wouldn't do anything so I finally wrote the president of the hospital where it happened and he was the one to reduce the bill. My dad has intimate knowledge of health insurance and he helped me write the letter, which helped. I went back in the office a few months later and they now have a sign that says labs may be sent to a place not covered.

As for your situation, I wouldn't bother with the insurance company, have the doctor's office admit mistake and cover the bill as if it were sent to the right place. Good luck.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Something similar happened to me and I managed to get the bill from $600 to $60 (it was multiple labs sent over time without telling me). So, this is what I did - when I started getting the bills, I would call the insurance company and see what they said. My problem was that the blood was sent to a lab who, known by the doctor's office, was not covered. They had access to 2 labs and they chose the one they knew was not covered. Insurance company wouldn't do anything so I finally wrote the president of the hospital where it happened and he was the one to reduce the bill. My dad has intimate knowledge of health insurance and he helped me write the letter, which helped. I went back in the office a few months later and they now have a sign that says labs may be sent to a place not covered.

As for your situation, I wouldn't bother with the insurance company, have the doctor's office admit mistake and cover the bill as if it were sent to the right place. Good luck.

Thanks, I just spoke to the Doc he told me to call the office later this afternoon. He also has no idea why it happened. I will see what they say when I call.

 

[Swimalie]

Thanks, I just spoke to the Doc he told me to call the office later this afternoon. He also has no idea why it happened. I will see what they say when I call.

Good luck!

 

[Belle0101]

Good luck, I hope they can remedy that for you.

 

[LovemesomeDW]

My doctors office has signs up now too. The same thing happened to me last year. My doctor office knew I had to stay in network due to my insurance and they send my lab work all the way across the country. I was told that it was my responsibility to ask where it was going. I never had any issues before and my 5+ labs before were covered. It just so happened this time around they sent it to a different place. I got no where with my doctors office so I asked my insurance for a curtesy "override" to get it covered as if it was in network. They agreed, thankfully! I work in HR and I see it happening to our employees more and more. I felt like a really dummy knowing I'm supposed to be the one administering the benefits to employees, and then I have an issue with insurance over something that I didn't do (check with them first to confirm the lab). Actually, my office just recently received a notice from our account rep with the insurance company to remind employees that it is THEIR responsibility to check before lab work is taken, so I'm guessing more and more people are getting screwed over it and complaining to the insurance companies.

 

[clanmcculloch]

At my doctor's office they always ask if I have a preference of labs when writing up the order. I'm surprised some offices choose for you. It takes the same effort to send the order to one lab over the other.

 

[Sadie22]

Perhaps you could have blood drawn somewhere such as your hospital's lab, Quest Labs or LabCorp, whatever is in-network with your insurance, to avoid such problems.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Perhaps you could have blood drawn somewhere such as your hospital's lab, Quest Labs or LabCorp, whatever is in-network with your insurance, to avoid such problems.

It wasn't blood. It was a pap, so had to be done at the doctors .

It is also in my chart that it goes to Quest and has for the last 6 tests. So it was a foul up by the nurse.

I spoke to the office manager (I am assuming that is who she was). She said once I get the bill to bring it into them and they will take care of it for me. Very happy. It was $140, and I am glad I don't have to pay it!!

 

[Swimalie]

It wasn't blood. It was a pap, so had to be done at the doctors .

It is also in my chart that it goes to Quest and has for the last 6 tests. So it was a foul up by the nurse.

I spoke to the office manager (I am assuming that is who she was). She said once I get the bill to bring it into them and they will take care of it for me. Very happy. It was $140, and I am glad I don't have to pay it!!

I'm glad they are being so nice about it.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I'm glad they are being so nice about it.

Me too, it was what I felt should have been done, and I was very very thankful to her . Now I just have to wait for the bill...