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marybourg

(12,540 posts)
Wed Jan 15, 2020, 07:20 PM Jan 2020

Doctor asks for (regular) Medicare deductible up front.

New one to me. Went to doctor. Receptionist was announcing to all incoming patients that since it was January and all Medicare patients will owe a deductible, she was collecting the deductible up front. The doctor had just introduced this “new policy” since she had been done out her deductible collections in years past.

I said I had already been to two doctors and my deductible would be charged to my bills from them. I also said that the doctor is not allowed to make her own rules vis a vis Medicare. The doctor condescended to make an exception for me, after examining my payment record, since I had already seen two doctors, and I was refusing to pay. She also had the receptionist say that “all the doctors were doing it now”. The other three patients present were annoyed, but paid up.

By the time I was called in, long after my appointment time, I found I was so irritated that I couldn’t respond dispassionately to the technician’s questions, and I left without seeing the doctor.
I’m now on the phone with Medicare &Medicaid Services waiting to hear an opinion on this.

Has anybody encountered this?

**********************See update below** ************

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Doctor asks for (regular) Medicare deductible up front. (Original Post) marybourg Jan 2020 OP
Sorry. elleng Jan 2020 #1
Did they only ask for the Medicare allowable, do they even know what Medicare is going to cover. vsrazdem Jan 2020 #2
VERY impressed with Medicare's handling. marybourg Jan 2020 #3
I've had this happen twice in the last few years SCantiGOP Jan 2020 #4
They can collect the deductible upfront. Many don't, especially since Hoyt Jan 2020 #5
Contact Medicare Soxfan58 Jan 2020 #6
See #3 this thread marybourg Jan 2020 #7

elleng

(130,126 posts)
1. Sorry.
Wed Jan 15, 2020, 07:24 PM
Jan 2020

No, haven't encountered, but will try to remember your experience if/when I see a new doc.

Thanks for contacting Medicare/Aid services. Please let us know what they say.

vsrazdem

(2,176 posts)
2. Did they only ask for the Medicare allowable, do they even know what Medicare is going to cover.
Wed Jan 15, 2020, 07:26 PM
Jan 2020

Your bill is reduced by the Medicare allowable and that is all you should be paying.

marybourg

(12,540 posts)
3. VERY impressed with Medicare's handling.
Wed Jan 15, 2020, 07:41 PM
Jan 2020

The customer service rep immediately connected me with an area specialist who was knowledgeable. She said this was a new one to her, that it definitely was not legal. She took the provider info and said she would forward it through channels.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
5. They can collect the deductible upfront. Many don't, especially since
Wed Jan 15, 2020, 09:10 PM
Jan 2020

many Medicare beneficiaries have supplemental policies that cover deductible. They can also check electronically with Medicare to see if your deductible has been paid while you are in office.

If they collect deductible, or a portion of it, and Medicare pays because deductible was already covered, they are supposed to refund any overpayment.

Soxfan58

(3,479 posts)
6. Contact Medicare
Thu Jan 16, 2020, 04:01 PM
Jan 2020

I don't believe asking for money before services are rendered would set well with them.

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