Re: Doctors' offices don't know how to take cash - weird

[Guest guest]

What I make of it is that the doctor hasn't finished his/her note.  Likely won't for a few more days.  So since the doctor has to come up with a code (or at least finish documenting the visit so that a biller can come up with a code), the front desk (who is a scheduling, not billing, person) has no clue. Because CMS has this screwy way of making doctors code for visits, he can't just charge a flat fee, or it could be misinterpreted that if that's " all " the doctor is going to charge, then CMS has been overcoded for other visits, prompting an audit and thousands of dollars in fines.

Pratt

 

My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

front desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. "

The receptionists look baffled.

" You want to pay your bill? " one asks.

Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

" I'd like to pay my bill, please. "

" You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.

Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

wallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams a

few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! "

Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

Mom looks around at all & #8232;the patients—with their canes,

walkers, and wheelchairs—packed into the waiting room

and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

" What's going on? Doesn't & #8232; anyone pay their bills around here? " & #8232;

What do you guys make of this?

Pamela

Pamela Wible, MD

3575 St. #220 

Eugene, OR 97405

www.idealmedicalcare.org

" (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. "

~ Coleridge