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Advice Please!(kinda long)
Well...In January I went to the ER with heart palpitations and shortness of breath. I was seen by the MD on call that afternoon. They hooked me up to the machines to check my heart and blood was drawn from one of my arteries (which hurts like all of be damned). After running "labs" which took all afternoon I soon began having the symptoms again. The MD comes in and says "I bet she's having a panic attack". They check my vitals and everything appears normal. They soon discharge me and tell me to follow-up with my regular MD.
Well...about a month later I get a letter in the mail stating that I owe UAB highlands $1200! My first instinct was to call Blue Cross. They told me that the reason they didn't pay was because the ER visit was coded as a psychiatric visit and that that is why they only paid half of the bill!
I then called the billing office for UAB who said that they would have to investigate and get back to me....no call back. About a month later I get another letter stating that the bill will be turned over to collections for non-payment. I call UAB who say they will investigate...no call back! So earlier this week I get a call from a collection agency...they've turned it over to them.
I am planning to send a certified letter to the billing office requesting an investigation and I'm looking into getting a lawyer(which we really can't afford) because I really think I was railroaded...I was not seen by anyone other than the MD on call who I just happen to know is an orthopedic specialist so how can she say it was a true psych visit? And, she's the only one who can authorize the changing of the code. I should also mention that before becoming a special ed teacher I worked for probate court filing petitions to have people committed for psych treatment so I'm not a total idiot on this. Also, I don't want this on my medical chart because I don't want to go in to the ER having a heat attack and they write it off as a panic attack.
WWYD?
Re: Advice Please!(kinda long)
First, I don't think having the panic attack in your medical records will effect anything. They will still have to run the appropriate tests to check for a heart attack if you're having symptoms.
Did you get the names of the people you spoke with in billing? I'm good for bugging the hell out of people when it comes to stuff like that. If you say you'll get back to me that's what I expect. I would call billing back or physically go down there and ask for a supervisor. If no response that way the I would send a certified letter to have proof I was attempting to take care of it. Do you know the dr. personally so you could talk to her?
I agree with PP go down there and stand infront of them until they get you the right information. I can be a B when it come to stuff like this. Espically when it will hurt my credit. You have to keep on people because they don't really care, if it doesn't affect them.
I do not see how an orthopedic doctor can write up an ER visit as a psych. one. If you know this doctor I would confront her asap. Make sure you cover your butt, keep track of everything you do. Even if you have to record phone conversations or something. This will be proof that you are trying to get this thing cleared up! Good Luck, I know it is stressful!!!
As someone who works in a billing office, I would say that there was no excuse for them to not live up to thier promise of calling you back. I 2nd what pp said and go down there and talk to a supervisor. What they should have done was have medical records pull the chart to see how it was documented and have have the MD authorize the code change and send in a corrected claim to your insurance company. Simple as that.
I would go ahead and send the certified letter and let them know you're looking into a lawyer. That was no fault of your's that someone obviously didn't do their job. I'm sorry that you're going through this and I hope you get it straightend out before you make your first call to the lawyer.
I hate that this is happening to you!!! I would definately get a copy of your medical record and read what the doctor wrote up. I am surprised that they billed it as a pysch code for a panic attack. I am a cardiac nurse so let me reassure you if you are ever having a heart attack and go to the ER they will NOT dismiss chest pains even if you have a history of panic attacks. About 30% of the patients I take care come in complaining of chest pain and even though the doctor is pretty sure it isn't a heart attack they get treated as if they are having a heart attack. I would go down in person and ask to talk to the supervisor. Unfortunately, the phone is not always the best option for these kinds of things.
I would send the certified letter saying you are looking into a lawyer and tell the supervisor you are looking into that as well when you get to speak to them.
I hope it all works out!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!
Girl....get thine self down to that office....and demand a copy of your ER records! Then you can dispute any of the info that is entered into that record. Like the pp's said....the phone is not the best way to handle this situation. They need to see you standing in front of them....and know that you are not going away until you get some answers!! Kick up some dirt until you can talk to someone who can help you. If you need to....just pay a lawyer to draw up a letter. Sometimes that will light a fire under their butts. Then have them re-submit the claim to your insurance...so that you don't have to pay that big bill!
I am sorry that you are having to go through this. But don't back down!