Consumers Group Consumer Protection

acko asked:


I have rudely learned that health care/insurance is broken in U.S. A podiatrist has charged over $3200 for cutting out warts on my feet, which I could have treated myself with wart remover from Rite Aid or CVS. He has also called his office where he does his visits as “Surgical Center” on my insurance claim resulting in higher facility fee and etc. Also, the name of his “Surgical Center” was counted as “out-of-network” by the insurance, even though the podiatrist himself is in network.
Insurance is trying to give me $1200 as my responsibility
The podiatrist has given me a letter saying that “his SURGICAL CENTER will hold me liable for my co-pay and deductible, and will accept insurance payment as payment in full. I will not be charged for facility fee that insurance doesn’t cover”. I think that letter should cover me, but I’m concerned about the meaning of facility fee.
If the podiatrist charges me anything resembling $1200, I will have no option but to take it to my State Podiatry Board and/or Consumer Protection. If I’m put in a situation to contest this, how can I do it?
How can I contest:
1) outrageous charge
2) the podiatrist calling his office where he does visits as “Surgical Center” on my insurance claim
What (government or any other) agency can I go for help or contesting?
Podiatrist did NOT give estimate before this small procedure to cut out the warts. It took him no more than 30 min to do the whole procedure, and he’s charging over $3,200 for 30 min of work. Think about that! My goodness!!!!

Bernice

Gabriella V asked:


My daughter hurt her knee, could not walk. As it was Sunday we went to the emergency room. We told she has no health insurance yet (just moved here) and asked in advance - repeatedly - how much will it cost. We did not get a straight answer. The doctor took some questions, took her temperature, then gave her a brace ($40 value) and let us go. Her knee got better on its own after a week of suffering.
Some days later we got a bill of $290, which I found outrageous, but what can we do? Begun to negotiate with them about a monthly payment. (By then she had a job and health insurance as well). a week later we got a second bill almost $300 dollars; called in that we already have an agreement, they said this is a different bill! $600 for basically nothing. Is there a consumer protection authority to turn to?

Roberta