Re: Athena Diagnostic late bill

[Guest guest]

That happened with me...They bill you what your insurance company doesn't

take care of...

They have a patient advocate program...Check into that

[Guest guest]

Monika,

I can tell you my experience with Athena. They first contacted me by phone

to tell me they had received my samples. They told me I would be getting a

" patient advocate " packet and that I should sign everything and send it back to

them. Being a person who never signs anything until it's read, read again and

re-read, I thought how strange for them to tell me to sign and send back.

Anyway, I did sign and send the authorization for Athena to send records and

request appeals from my insurance company. I did not sign the form that said

they

would credit my charge card the balance remaining. (can you blame me?) My

insurance covered about 90% of the bill and when I called Athena they said I

owed them the rest. I checked out their website which stated that patients only

owe 20% of the balance. So I called them back and they said since I didn't

authorize them to charge my card that the 20% didn't apply. The best they could

do for me was to say I owed 40% of the balance. This all took place about 1 -2

months ago. I'm still waiting for a bill. I won't send anything as far as a

payment to a company without having a bill first. (i'm just strange that way

I guess).

If I have to wait 10 months then I look at it as they are waiting 10 months

for their money also.

Good luck to you.

Elaina.

[Guest guest]

I was just told by my doctor that the max Athena will charge above what

insurance covers is 20%. Call Athena and check it out.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I have talked to Athena and although they are nice people (at least the ones

I dealt with), they are very adamant about signing the paper that says they

can charge your credit card. If you don't sign that you " forfeit " the 20%

allowable amount they will charge you. I can't complain I guess because my

insurance paid so much even though they are an out of state lab.

Elaine.