Physicans that don't take your insurance

[Guest guest]

My pain management doctor is out of network insurance for me. It wasn't

too bad last year, but this year the payment is only 30 percent. Again,

I can pay it for just a visit, but I have been getting trigger point

injections and I am considering Botox. The costs are too high for me to

pay for the injections. Someone mentioned to me once, that you can call

the physician's billing office and ask them to sign a contract with

your insurance company. Does anyone know if this is true, or has anyone

tried it?

nne

[Guest guest]

Hey nne, it was actually 'me' who mentioned to you - as a suggestion - that maybe you could contact Dr. Q's office and ask if they would participate with your Insurance. That is exactly what I was going to do with one doctor who is out of network for me. Turns out, the office and hospital he affiliates with accepts my Insurance payment in full - the reduced amount (even though they are not in my network). I've had another hospital do this as well. It's always worth a try to save money! The worst they can say is no...but you can remind them of how you've been a good customer the past two years and see if they will work you! Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

nne,

YOu can call them and ask them to sign a contract but usually the

reason they are non participating is the insurance reimbursement rates

ar so lousy, the practitioner can't make a buck and actually loose

money if they treat you. There may also be some outrageous policies and

paperwork regulations that are just too much for the practitioner to

bother with. All designed to steer you to the practioners that do

accept the insurance compnaies lousy rates and policies.

Tom Ockler P.T.

www.tomocklerpt.com

winterberrypath wrote:

My pain management doctor is out of network insurance for me. It

wasn't

too bad last year, but this year the payment is only 30 percent. Again,

I can pay it for just a visit, but I have been getting trigger point

injections and I am considering Botox. The costs are too high for me to

pay for the injections. Someone mentioned to me once, that you can call

the physician's billing office and ask them to sign a contract with

your insurance company. Does anyone know if this is true, or has anyone

tried it?

nne

[Guest guest]

Hey Tom, while I certainly 'understand' what you are saying, and I know things are somewhat different with PT's when you give more one on one time per visit that the Insurance won't reimburse *sigh*, but.... Many doctor offices 'get around' the insurance restrictions with those diagnosis codes! For example, my pain doc is not in network, but his office 'accepts' the contracted rate...THEN, the hospital, who actually owns the facility of my doctor's office -- will bill my Insurance for "Clinic Services"...when I called to find out what these services are...the Hospital is billing my Insurance for the mere fact that I show up for my visits -- and the Insurance pays for it -- $154 each time. This charge is in addition to the Dr's fee. I think it's worth it to see if the doc's office will participate with your Insurance...;0) ~Chelle