Here's the thing. Pay your co-pay. And if you are not asked to pay a co-pay, ask to pay it.
Co-pays are an agreement between the insurance company and the patient. The insurance company agrees to cover the service as long as the patient pays his or her part.....which is the co-pay.
Refuse to pay the co-pay and, as a patient, you are in violation of the agreement you have made with your insurance company. This has nothing to do with the front desk staff or your doctor. The office staff just offers a convenient way to pay your co-pay instead of mailing it directly to your insurance company.
So next time, refuse to pay your co-pay, or say "I don't have my wallet with me today." I dare (actually encourage) front desk staff to reply, "That's fine, Mr. Tightwad, I will be happy to call your insurance company and inform them of your neglect in meeting your part of the financial obligation of your contract."
Whoa. Would just love that. Especially for Medicaid patients who are 'current every day smokers' but can't seem to scratch up three bucks for a co-pay.
Great public service announcement! In addition, your doctor's office is required by law to bill you for and attempt to collect your copay, at least in the case of Medicare. Waiving the copay constitutes billing fraud. Not sure about private insurance, but many of them follow Medicare billing guidelines -- do you know more, SbaT?
ReplyDeleteJust what I said above. Also that Medicare actively discourages the collection of the 20% co-insurance from beneficiaries at time of service. This is partly because billing has to have an EOB from Medicare that states the provider can bill the beneficiary for anything. It's very touchy and contradictory.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind paying the expected copays, but lately my insurance carrier has a new trick. The allowable charge is the same as my copay. I pay for everything, they (insurance c.) pay nothing. Sorta defeats the purpose of insurance. Your blog is really interesting.
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