Doctors claim they don't know what they're charging you, but if it was a family member, I'm sure they would know the cost. They use coded systems they hand off to insurance companies who then charge you according to your plan. This is unfair. How can you shop around if you don't know what they are going to charge you?
Doctors must inform patients during non-emergency visits how much every service costs up-front before services are rendered – be it over the phone, or in person by the reception desk. Obviously, they may not know how much your insurance will cover, but the patient has a right to know what they intend to charge the insurance company. What a doctor charges should not be a secret until you get the bill.
I went to a specialist for my ears here in Santa Monica. I called in advance to ask how much it would cost and they refused to tell me. I went reluctantly to find out the results of my ear exam. The doctor met with me for 11 minutes to read results I could have read myself and charged my insurance about $1100 for this visit. This doctor charged $100 a minute. I was obligated to pay for about half of this, but if I would have known the cost, I would have looked for services elsewhere with a more competitive price and demanded my results be emailed to me. Even if I was fully covered on my insurance, it's not right for them to hold me hostage and charge whatever they feel like without fear of reprisal or the competitive market.
Imagine you go to a restaurant and the waiter shows you a menu with no prices. Then at the end of your meal, they send you a bill for $1000 for a Cheeseburger, Fries, & a Soda and says, "don't worry your friend is going to pay for half." You would be outraged. You would have wanted the choice to go to another place that charged $10 for this. And if you're friend pays for half, you're only stuck paying $5 vs $500.
I think this scam has gone on long enough and should be illegal. If we would overreact at a restaurant, I think we should be outraged at a Medical facility doing this to us because it has to do with our very lives, life savings, and basic welfare. I felt like I was being fined for being sick.
Doctors should be made to provide a place-mat or menu with pricing before services are rendered (the exception to this would be for life or death emergencies only). They would not be required to show what the insurance covers, as this would be the patient's responsibility to discuss with their insurance company.
Thank you!
