Greg Lemer

Ray

Recently at a medical professional in (a small North Dakota town) my appointment ran long. The office staff had left and the doctor insisted that I pay my bill in full. He stated my insurance company was hard to work with and never paid the bills anyway.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The doctor wrote up my statement himself, itemizing each procedure and the cost. I paid the bill in full, knowing I could turn in the statement to BCBS for reimbursement.

I had just mailed in my claim. The next day I received a letter from BCBS that the bill was paid. I figured the doctor would do the right thing and send me the overpayment. I waited for two months and had not received anything.

I was in (the town) and walked into the office and inquired about the reimbursement. The doctor acted like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But he was not done yet. He claimed he forgot to charge me for one procedure and deducted that amount from my reimbursement.

I got home and pulled out the original statement where the charges are itemized and big as day there is the procedure and the cost of the procedure.

I have left multiple phone messages and emails for the doctor about his error. He refuses to reply. Guess another trip to (the town) is in order. But it should not be this difficult.

Moral of the story: Review your statements, be sure you know what you are charged for. Be certain the statement matches the paperwork you receive from your insurance provider.