[QUOTE=OrangeBlossomBaby;2454027]If that's what happened, then yeah doctors would be complicit. But that's not what happened. Doctors don't do billing, they don't input billing codes. I've explained this before...I'll try it again.
Let's say you have a regular annual checkup, and the doctor asks how you've been feeling. You say you're fine, except your bunion's been hurting lately. The doctor says he can give you a referral to a podiatrist if you want, you say thanks, but my bunion pads are still working, it's probably just the humidity lately.
The doctor inputs the code for the annual physical. He inputs the code for the discussion about your bunion (because it's important to know that there's a history of it, in case you do need a referral, he can tell the podiatrist you've had this problem since at least xyz date and are treating it with bunion pads).
He sends the documentation through the system, and now it's the billing department's turn to deal with it.
The billing department puts in the billing code for the annual physical.
They also put a billing code for a podiatry consultation, because record-keeping is important.
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If that's the explanation, I think it's bogus that the billing dept is responsible for "record-keeping". That is medical records responsibility and why would the billing department be ready to charge for a discussion between Dr. and patient which included no extra service. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy or profit, profit, profit IMHO. Is a patient required to walk into their appt and inform the Dr certain subjects are off limit lest the patient be billed for it?
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