Reminds me of a remark my 10 year old son made to the doctor 30 years ago when he went for a strep-throat retest. He knew about the visit + whatever else charges, so he said, "I'm not here for a visit, just a strep-throat test." I don't remember the doctor's reply or the billing situation but will never forget my son's interest in the $. He went on to major in economics in college!

Yes, both a PE, and complaint visit are billable on the same day.. Our billing person does it. Some insurance companies pay, and some don't.. We do not bill the patient if the company doesn't..
As for patients coming in with a laundry list of complaints, and the doctors only addressing one complaint, it's a problem.. I've been in that position with an ENT.. I was pretty ticked off, as I drove an hour to get to his office.. but in the same scenario in my office (primary care), we aren't getting reimbursed enough to pay expenses if we don't see the volume of patients, therefore we don't have the time to address the laundry list..
As for the thyroid tests, that should be I ncluded in the yearly PE along with the EKG, Sugar tests, chol, blood counts, etc.
Barri

I'm so glad we don't have to pay for our doctor and hospitals, even though people moan about our National Health Service i've got nothing but good to say about it,
I really feel for those of you that struggle with your health service,

Doctor's lots of times don't have a choice. Lost my excellent doctor last year because he quit rather than play the clinic's games of less patient time and more billing. He is sorely missed by his huge group of patients. Last physical was not nearly as thourough as all my previous ones.

I don't think we have any idea of what is in store for us with the new health care bill. Just stay healthy!!!!

Yes, I had a similar experience a while back - they said they had to do it that way because my insurance (Medicare and supp) wouldn't cover it. Also. This has happended several times. I go to the doc, pay the co-pay, and then 6 MONTHS LATER receive a bill that says I still owe $$. I don't understand if it is a insurance approved doc, and I pay co-pay, why am I still billed the extra? The "office girl" said she will check into it, but I keep getting statements saying I owe!

I am surprised the your insurance hasnt questioned them doing this...I would contact the insurance and the billing dept in the DR office and question. Who knows the DR office may end up owing a large amount of $ in refunds to insurance and patients....if you dont feel satisfied with the answers you get from them then keep going up the ladder. I worked for surgeons for years and that just doesnt sound right and am surprised that the insurance compnay hasnt already questioned. Good Luck

It can't happen here if you go to a bulk-biller.It is against the law for the Doctor to see you more than once on the same day.Interesting how services differ.

Yes, I have experienced something similar.... when going in for a simple exam, I "saw" only a nurse, yet was charged twice as much -- the amount for seeing a doctor. Yet, I never saw the doctor. When I brouoght it to their attention, they were supposed to correct it and get back to me. I still haven't heard from them several months later. Part of their argument was that I must have taken up a lot of the nurse's time, asking a lot of questions, but she was the one that took up so much of my time, trying to convince me that I needed to make appointments for this exam and that test, etc., etc., etc.

I've been billing Insurance for over 20 years and If I were you I'd be calling the Insurance Co and ask why they are paying for 2 visits in the same day and give them dates, he must be putting some modifier on the billing code and as far as I know this is illegal unless you come back in for in an emergency situation. Unless you live in a state that allows this but it sounds wrong to me. Greed and people wonder why we're in such a MESS!!!