I was going to put this into the "rant" sub forum, but its happened a couple of times over the past couple of months so decided to put it out in this forum (mods feel free to relocate).
Item 1: Our pets go into the vet twice a year, once for an annual checkup and the other for a series of shots/tests which are given "off cycle" from the annual exam date. Prior to Covid 19 this was a routine visit and we were in and out pretty quickly and not charged for an exam since it was not necessary. Now this year during the off-cycle visit, the tech tells us that an exam is necessary, even though it was never charged in the past, but I know its due to the fact that business for them is down and they need to make up lost revenue. Well after a lot of back and forth and some firm persistence they did not charge us for the unnecessary exam. Savings of $ 150.
Item 2: I needed a refill for a statin. Have been on it for nearly 20 years at the lowest dose. Got my last labwork done in April with no red flags. Since the RX is good for 180 days I need to get the Dr. to do a refill....typically this is done by me via online request or a quick call to the clinic. This year I have been informed that my DR has had a baby and has left the practice so I will need to come in for an appointment to establish a relationship with a new Dr. in order to get the RX refilled. Needless to say this got under my skin as a perceived gatekeeping by their staff in order to generate some additional revenue.
ME: So your Dr. quits, and its now my problem?
THEM: Well you need to establish a relationship with a new Dr.
ME: Well I have a relationship with your clinic, and this is a routine refill. and we are in the middle of a pandemic and I really don't want to come in for a visit so you can charge me and my insurance for a visit that is not necessary.
THEM: Well we can't refill without the visit
ME: In this state, the NP can do a refill, and you have my chart, as I have been a patient of this clinic for years
THEM: We could do telemedicine if you have the internet
ME: How much would you charge for this (knowing the next response already)
THEM: I can't tell you that. I don't do billing
ME: So you require me to visit or have a telemedicine for a routine RX refill for this statin which I have been on for 20 years and you cant even tell me how much it will cost? Let me speak to someone who has authority to make reasonable decisions.
The office manager did not call me back but I put another request in the system via the portal that day and the next day CVS calls me to come pick up my RX!
In both instances by being persistent and hoping for logic to prevail, I was able to stick to my guns and save unnecessary expense. I am not a cheapskate, but as they say.."don't poke the bear". I just wonder how many other folks simply roll over for such tactics.
Would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this sort of gatefleecing!
Item 1: Our pets go into the vet twice a year, once for an annual checkup and the other for a series of shots/tests which are given "off cycle" from the annual exam date. Prior to Covid 19 this was a routine visit and we were in and out pretty quickly and not charged for an exam since it was not necessary. Now this year during the off-cycle visit, the tech tells us that an exam is necessary, even though it was never charged in the past, but I know its due to the fact that business for them is down and they need to make up lost revenue. Well after a lot of back and forth and some firm persistence they did not charge us for the unnecessary exam. Savings of $ 150.
Item 2: I needed a refill for a statin. Have been on it for nearly 20 years at the lowest dose. Got my last labwork done in April with no red flags. Since the RX is good for 180 days I need to get the Dr. to do a refill....typically this is done by me via online request or a quick call to the clinic. This year I have been informed that my DR has had a baby and has left the practice so I will need to come in for an appointment to establish a relationship with a new Dr. in order to get the RX refilled. Needless to say this got under my skin as a perceived gatekeeping by their staff in order to generate some additional revenue.
ME: So your Dr. quits, and its now my problem?
THEM: Well you need to establish a relationship with a new Dr.
ME: Well I have a relationship with your clinic, and this is a routine refill. and we are in the middle of a pandemic and I really don't want to come in for a visit so you can charge me and my insurance for a visit that is not necessary.
THEM: Well we can't refill without the visit
ME: In this state, the NP can do a refill, and you have my chart, as I have been a patient of this clinic for years
THEM: We could do telemedicine if you have the internet
ME: How much would you charge for this (knowing the next response already)
THEM: I can't tell you that. I don't do billing
ME: So you require me to visit or have a telemedicine for a routine RX refill for this statin which I have been on for 20 years and you cant even tell me how much it will cost? Let me speak to someone who has authority to make reasonable decisions.
The office manager did not call me back but I put another request in the system via the portal that day and the next day CVS calls me to come pick up my RX!
In both instances by being persistent and hoping for logic to prevail, I was able to stick to my guns and save unnecessary expense. I am not a cheapskate, but as they say.."don't poke the bear". I just wonder how many other folks simply roll over for such tactics.
Would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this sort of gatefleecing!