Re: grand total for UAE and laproscopic myo= $63,000

[Guest guest]

Hi Carla,

Actually, i did protest, well " contradict " might be a better word. My

out of pocket deductible for the hospital was $1100, then I had

the fees for the anesthesiologist and pathology tests plus some

other minor things after BC had paid them.

I had a mystery second dr. who sent a bill to insurance but not to

me. Insurance bounced it back and refused to pay. I never heard

another word. i did meet everyone prior to the procedure, and

there was NO second dr.

And there was a very strange discounting that was going on

between McLucas's office and BC. I would get an explanation of

benefits showing I owed HUGE amounts (that almost sent me

into cardiac arrest...) but then I would get revised statements

showing they had been discounted.

Recently, I got another statement rfom BC that McLucas is STILL

billing them for appointments I never recieved itemised billing for

to begin with. I told them to send me the 2 itemised bills. I've

never recieved them. So I don't even know what the bills are.

They should just be regular office visits but I have no idea. And

yes, half the time the bills included sonograms and bloodwork or

urinalysis that I never had. (One visit included 2 sonograms for

$350 each. In fact, he inserted the transducer looked at the

screen and said " well, this is useless. " Total time: One minute or

less. My fibroids completely blocked the screen. $700 for

ultrasounds? I don't think so. This bill eventually got " discounted "

as well.)

I spent alot of time on the phone with the insurance company

going over the bills. i even had a friend helping me for awhile as

it seemed new and conflicting paper just came in the mail daily.

I'm hoping my new insurance and UCLA will be a little easier to

deal with. So far, their billing is a lot easier to read and follow.

best wishes,

PS My advice to others: keep track of your appointments and

what takes place. 3 months later when the bill comes it can be

hard to remember.

>

> > Wow. Pretty scary number. I had to blink twice to make sure I

> > read it correctly.

> >

> > Two years ago, my lap and hysteroscopic exam came to

> > $37,000. I paid about $2000 out of pocket including my

> > deductible. But $63,000. Eegad!!!

>

> ,

>

> I *protested* the bills I received from McLucas and the

surgi-center. (Actually, it was more like

> *arranged* in advance to not pay my share of whatever the

insurance didn't cover.) Didn't pay a cent

> out of pocket -- except for office visit co-pays. The insurance

sure paid through the nose though.

> Of course, Blue Cross of California discontinued their

negotiated contractual arrangement with McLucas

> a short time later. Can't imagine why...

>

> Also, the " second " surgeon who began billing me about 6

months after my laparoscopy/hysteroscopy at

> the surgi-center mysteriously disappeared after I sent him

email indicating that I had no knowledge of

> him being present for my procedure. I had insisted on

introductions to all staff who would be

> supporting my care during the procedure and was indeed

introduced to all prior to anesthesia. No

> second surgeon present at introductions. I asked him for his

report on his participation in my care

> and indicated that if he couldn't verify his presence that I would

file a complaint with the

> California Medical Board. Never received another bill from him.

>

> Based on this experience, and knowing how expensive

medical care is these days, I would strongly

> recommend to all women that they truly take the time to review

their billing statements and ask

> questions when things seem excessive or incorrect.

> Carla