Annoyed and disappointed

[rhayla 53]

My surgeons office sent out $4000 worth of blood tests to an out of network lab. So there goes all the money I had planned to use to pay my coinsurance for surgery, hospital, etc.

I checked everyone in the office to make sure they were in network. I never even thought about the lab.

I'm m going to call them tomorrow, but I'm betting g im just going to have to cancel surgery.

Aaaaarrggggghhh!

[Cupcake 801]

Hi I would see if you could get on some payment plan I wouldn't cancel my surgery for this error. Good luck.

[Kindle 8,667]

That sucks.....WTH kind of blood tests is he running? I had preop labs to check CBC, kidney, liver, cardiac, thyroid, hormones, and Vitamins levels. I've had 2 followup blood panels for CBC, liver, kidney, and Vitamin levels. I also had a number of fecal tests and cultures when I got diarrhea 6 weeks postop. All of that lab work came to around $1200. I am self pay so it's all out of pocket for me, and it's regular lab fees, not "in network". I can't image what is costing so much.

[rhayla 53]

He did Lot of blood work - I couldn't even tell you it all without looking at the results thingy again. I just hate that it's out of network.

[AvaFern 3,516]

They should be able to put you on a payment plan- no way all of it has to be paid up front. If anything I would have a long chat with your doctor about the fact that they chose to use an out of network lab and that their inability to consider the financial ramifications of that is a problem that you expect them to address.

[marcasla 1]

You need to call your insurance company and tell them you are not responsible for ancillary charges. You went to an in network provider and you are not responsible when they have blood work or any services done at an out of network provider. The doctors office cannot make changes in your bill, only the insurance carrier. Hope this helps

[rhayla 53]

I'll try it. Thanks!

[chicogirl3 17]

My surgeons office sent out $4000 worth of blood tests to an out of network lab. So there goes all the money I had planned to use to pay my coinsurance for surgery, hospital, etc.

I checked everyone in the office to make sure they were in network. I never even thought about the lab.

I'm m going to call them tomorrow, but I'm betting g im just going to have to cancel surgery.

Aaaaarrggggghhh!

You should check with the lab, every one I've worked for you could do a payment plan. That is if you haven't payed yet of course. Most hospitals and doctors will have payment plans as well. Hope it works out for you.

[rhayla 53]

The Insurance Coordinator in the doc's office is out until tomorrow, but I left her a message. I mean, I'll have to just cancel surgery, and they won't make any money that way. I'm hoping she can do something.

My insurance company was surprisingly pleasant. The rep I spoke with is going to appeal it for me, and they will need to contact the doc's office tomorrow as a part of that.

So, maybe there's a smudge of hope after all.

[Luvin_Life125 558]

Definitely make sure you follow up with your insurance company. You should be able to appeal the claim under the "runaway charges" provision. Keep talking to your insurer and make them reprocess this lab claim as an in network claim. To keep this from happening next time ask your insurer what labs are in network with your plan. Future lab work ordered by your doctor's office can be written out on a prescription or a signed order and you can take that order to an in network lab to have any blood work done. I have had something similar happen and it took quite a few phone calls but it was eventually straightened out. Just keep up on it and the claim should be reprocessed.

[rhayla 53]

Just spoke to the ins coordinator at the docs office. She said don't worry about it, I'll never see a bill and I'm not responsible for paying for that.

When!

[rhayla 53]

I mean whew!