Totally mislead by a doctor

[lovinganimals]

Went to Lange Eye near Rt 466. My insurance won't pay for the surgery I wanted done so it was to be out of pocket. Called the office and asked how much it would cost to get it done. Was told "$3500, that includes all office visits and everything". Great-go in to see doctor and pay $150 (which goes toward surgery price). Go back 2nd time and pay $60 for them to take out a regular camera and take "before pics" and sign forms. total so far $210. THEN and only then am I told there is a cost for the surgery center and anesthesiologist. Oh really? They tell me they will call the surgery center and let me know. Meanwhile I go home and call surgery center and am told $1500 for anesthesia and $300 for surgery center. I repeat numbers back. Ok, my husband tells me to still do it. Well, Lange calls my husband and tells him its $1300 for surgery center. I then call surgery center billing again and am told the other woman was mistaken, it is actually $1300 for the surgery center and an unknown amount for anesthesia because it depends on how long it takes but upwards of $1500 is about right. So I call Lange billing and tell them all this and say I think it is only fair that since I was mislead from the beginning and the total is at least $6500 instead of $3500 I should be given my $210 back since I will not be having the surgery. I'm told it is up to the doctor since he did actually see me in the first visit. I told her I wouldn't have had the first visit if I was told there were additional fees from the start. I would have investigated first before coming to see the doctor. Doesn't matter....guess they like my money more than doing the right thing or being honest.

[biker1]

Not all that unusual, unfortunately. I had a consult with a surgeon who confirmed that I needed surgery and we agreed that I would talk to my wife about the best date to schedule it and get back to him in a couple of days. When I called back a few days later they wouldn't give me a date and said then would call me back. Several days later they called to tell me that the surgeon is moving to another city and I can follow him there to get the surgery done. I hold them that was not going to happen. I asked them why he took the consult and offered me surgery when he obviously knew he was leaving - no real answer. I asked if he could squeeze the surgery in and they said he was fully booked until he was leaving. They did say they would be replacing him if I could wait a couple of months. I said fine but don't even think about charging me and my insurance company for another consult when the new guy comes in. It all worked out OK but the administration people I spoke with were very embarrassed by the whole thing, as they should have been.

Went to Lange Eye near Rt 466. My insurance won't pay for the surgery I wanted done so it was to be out of pocket. Called the office and asked how much it would cost to get it done. Was told "$3500, that includes all office visits and everything". Great-go in to see doctor and pay $150 (which goes toward surgery price). Go back 2nd time and pay $60 for them to take out a regular camera and take "before pics" and sign forms. total so far $210. THEN and only then am I told there is a cost for the surgery center and anesthesiologist. Oh really? They tell me they will call the surgery center and let me know. Meanwhile I go home and call surgery center and am told $1500 for anesthesia and $300 for surgery center. I repeat numbers back. Ok, my husband tells me to still do it. Well, Lange calls my husband and tells him its $1300 for surgery center. I then call surgery center billing again and am told the other woman was mistaken, it is actually $1300 for the surgery center and an unknown amount for anesthesia because it depends on how long it takes but upwards of $1500 is about right. So I call Lange billing and tell them all this and say I think it is only fair that since I was mislead from the beginning and the total is at least $6500 instead of $3500 I should be given my $210 back since I will not be having the surgery. I'm told it is up to the doctor since he did actually see me in the first visit. I told her I wouldn't have had the first visit if I was told there were additional fees from the start. I would have investigated first before coming to see the doctor. Doesn't matter....guess they like my money more than doing the right thing or being honest.

[gomoho]

Happening time and time again. I'm afraid before long doctors will be on the same level as attorneys and car salesman. I am 65 years old and can honestly say in these 65 years only 3 doctors stand out as practicing medicine. When I was a kid and they still made a home visit, in my 50's in Jacksonville Fl and then again in my later 50's in Las Cruces NM. The rest of them, and normally only go once a year for a physical, I wouldn't give the time of day. Pretty sad what had happened to doctors in the USA.