Advanced Foot and Ankle Center of San Diego

This patient was out of network and received almost $in checks to her home from her insurance that she was supposed to forward to our office to cover our servicesShe contacted me complaining about the bill from our office and asked if I would accept $for the orthotics She must not understand that we received the explanations of benefits from the insurance company which I forwarded to her via email, showing her that her insurance already sent her checks greater that this amount to cover her costs, and she would end up making money off of our providing her service In addition, we are billing her secondary insurance for the remaining $and they may be covered as well and she may not owe anything We did not yet hear from her insurance We are a doctor's office and do not imply that services by another company such as her insurance company will cover her visitsThis relationship is between the patient their insurance and that is clearly stated in our financial policy that every patient signs I have responded to this patient both via email and via telephone on several occasions within 2-days of the call to give me ample time to research her account I have also mailed her copies of her explanations of benefits and the copy of the financial policy that she signed with our office We are happy to note that this patient wrote us that she was extrremely satisfied with the services she received and it eased her pain This patient has a plan that she is usually covered at a % when she sees her in plan doctorsUnfortunately the in plan docs she previously visited could not provide her the relief of pain that our services have providedThat is why she chose to see an out of network physicianI am sorry that she is upset by getting a bill , but she has been reimbursed for it by her insurance company for over % of the cost and still may be fully reimbursed by her secondary insurance, so I am not sure what the complaint is about If she does end up owing the 20% that would be her cost related to getting the medical care that she needs Please dismiss this complaint because the complaint is about how upsetting it is to get medical bills While I understand the frustration with having to pay bills, this does not relate to our officeShe did receive several responses , did receive good service that helped her and is responsible to pay the bill Our office provides high quality medical care and medical products and the patients receive the time they need a doctor who has the most amiable bedside manner I am happy to provide copies of the explanation of benefits to this addressUnfortunately I am not allowed to disclose private patient information without the patient's consent I have already provided the patient copies of these documents via emailand if she gives her consent I am happy to provide any documents you may need to dismiss this complaint

This patient was out of network and received almost $800 in checks to her home from her insurance that she was supposed to forward to our office to cover our services. She contacted me complaining about the bill from our office and asked if I would accept $500 for the orthotics.... She must not understand that we received the explanations of benefits from the insurance company which I forwarded to her via email, showing her that her insurance already sent her checks greater that this amount to cover her costs, and she would end up making money off of our providing her service. In addition, we are billing her secondary insurance for the remaining $250 and they may be covered as well and she may not owe anything. We did not yet hear from her insurance. We are a doctor's office and do not imply that services by another company such as her insurance company will cover her visits. This relationship is between the patient their insurance and that is clearly stated in our financial policy that every patient signs. I have responded to this patient both via email and via telephone on several occasions within 2-3 days of the call to give me ample time to research her account. I have also mailed her copies of her explanations of benefits and the copy of the financial policy that she signed with our office. We are happy to note that this patient wrote us that she was extrremely satisfied with the services she received and it eased her pain. This patient has a plan that she is usually covered at a 100 % when she sees her in plan doctors. Unfortunately the in plan docs she previously visited could not provide her the relief of pain that our services have provided. That is why she chose to see an out of network physician. I am sorry that she is upset by getting a bill , but she has been reimbursed for it by her insurance company for over 80 % of the cost and still may be fully reimbursed by her secondary insurance, so I am not sure what the complaint is about. If she does end up owing the 20% that would be her cost related to getting the medical care that she needs. Please dismiss this complaint because the complaint is about how upsetting it is to get medical bills. While I understand the frustration with having to pay bills, this does not relate to our office. She did receive several responses , did receive good service that helped her and is responsible to pay the bill. Our office provides high quality medical care and medical products and the patients receive the time they need a doctor who has the most amiable bedside manner. I am happy to provide copies of the explanation of benefits to this address. Unfortunately I am not allowed to disclose private patient information without the patient's consent. I have already provided the patient copies of these documents via email. and if she gives her consent I am happy to provide any documents you may need to dismiss this complaint.

This is to dispute the claims made against Dr*** *** officeWhen the patient came in to our office, they signed a financial policy that clearly states, “We will take a credit
card on file for any payments dueOnce you sign this form please be aware that we will charge your credit card for any balance due only as stated on your explanation of benefits without further notice.” The patient willingly gave us their credit card
Our office was contracted with the patients health insurance, but our contract was cut by the health insurance without notice or reasonWhen an insurance company is no longer contracted with a doctor, the patients insurance company sends the patient a check to pay for services renderedThe patients insurance company sent the patient a check, which they only partially paid forward to usWhen we asked the patient if they received checks from their insurance company, they would not give a clear or direct answerOur office called the health insurance company, and we were told that the checks had been cashed by the patientEven though we are legally allowed to charge a patient the full amount of charges when not contracted, we only charged the patients credit card what the health insurance allowed and as a courtesy, wrote off the rest of the charges
It is also written in our financial policy “please understand that you, the patient, are responsible for understanding your own insurance plan”. The patient very clearly did/does not understand their health insurance policy, and does not understand that the health insurance only covers a certain percentage of charges, and (depending on the policy) the patient always has in initial co-pay, and a co-insurance after the health insurance has processed a claim
We have spoken with the patient, and the patient has stated that they called their health insurance company, which will be sending an additional check to cover the patients co-insuranceWe have informed the patient that we will not refund the amount of $until we have received this check

This patient was out of network and received almost $800 in checks to her home from her insurance  that she was supposed to forward to our office to cover our services. She  contacted me complaining about the bill from our office and asked if I would accept $500 for the orthotics....

 She must not understand that we received the explanations of benefits from the insurance company which I forwarded to her  via email, showing her that her insurance already sent her checks greater that this amount to cover her costs, and she would end up making money off of our providing her service.   In addition, we are billing her secondary insurance for the remaining $250 and they may be covered as well and she may not owe anything.  We did not yet hear from her insurance.   We are a doctor's office and do not imply that services by another company such as her insurance company will cover her visits. This relationship is between the patient their insurance and that is clearly stated in our financial policy that every patient signs.    I have responded to this patient both via email and via telephone on several occasions within  2-3 days of the call to give me ample time to research her account.  I have also mailed her copies of her explanations of benefits and the copy of the financial policy that she signed with our office. We are happy to note that this patient wrote us that she was extrremely satisfied with the services she received and it eased her pain.  This patient has a plan that she is usually covered at a 100 % when she sees her in plan doctors. Unfortunately the in plan docs she previously visited could not provide her the relief of pain that our services have provided. That is why she chose to see an out of network physician. I am sorry that she is upset by getting a bill , but she has been reimbursed for it by her insurance company for over 80 % of the cost and still may be fully reimbursed by her secondary insurance, so I am not sure what the complaint is about.  If she does end up owing the 20%  that would be her cost related to getting the medical care that she needs.  Please dismiss this complaint because the complaint is about how upsetting it is to get medical bills.  While I understand the frustration with having to pay bills, this does not relate to our office. She did receive several responses , did receive good service that helped her and is responsible to pay the bill.  Our office provides high quality medical care and medical products and the patients receive the time they need a doctor who has the most amiable bedside manner.    I am happy to provide copies of the explanation of benefits to this address. Unfortunately I am not allowed to disclose private patient information without the patient's consent.  I have already provided the patient copies of these documents via email. and if she gives her consent I am happy to provide any documents you may need to dismiss this complaint.

This patient was out of network and received almost $800 in checks to her home from her insurance  that she was supposed to forward to our office to cover our services. She  contacted me complaining about the bill from our office and asked if I would accept $500 for the orthotics....

 She must not understand that we received the explanations of benefits from the insurance company which I forwarded to her  via email, showing her that her insurance already sent her checks greater that this amount to cover her costs, and she would end up making money off of our providing her service.   In addition, we are billing her secondary insurance for the remaining $250 and they may be covered as well and she may not owe anything.  We did not yet hear from her insurance.   We are a doctor's office and do not imply that services by another company such as her insurance company will cover her visits. This relationship is between the patient their insurance and that is clearly stated in our financial policy that every patient signs.    I have responded to this patient both via email and via telephone on several occasions within  2-3 days of the call to give me ample time to research her account.  I have also mailed her copies of her explanations of benefits and the copy of the financial policy that she signed with our office. 
We are happy to note that this patient wrote us that she was extrremely satisfied with the services she received and it eased her pain.  This patient has a plan that she is usually covered at a 100 % when she sees her in plan doctors. Unfortunately the in plan docs she previously visited could not provide her the relief of pain that our services have provided. That is why she chose to see an out of network physician. I am sorry that she is upset by getting a bill , but she has been reimbursed for it by her insurance company for over 80 % of the cost and still may be fully reimbursed by her secondary insurance, so I am not sure what the complaint is about.  If she does end up owing the 20%  that would be her cost related to getting the medical care that she needs.  Please dismiss this complaint because the complaint is about how upsetting it is to get medical bills.  While I understand the frustration with having to pay bills, this does not relate to our office. She did receive several responses , did receive good service that helped her and is responsible to pay the bill.  Our office provides high quality medical care and medical products and the patients receive the time they need a doctor who has the most amiable bedside manner.   
 I am happy to provide copies of the explanation of benefits to this address. Unfortunately I am not allowed to disclose private patient information without the patient's consent.  I have already provided the patient copies of these documents via email. and if she gives her consent I am happy to provide any documents you may need to dismiss this complaint.

Review: I visited the Foot and Ankle Center for a pair of orthotics. I was asked for my insurance information, which I provided same day of service in May. I was given the impression that my insurance would be accepted. I later got a bill for 1050.00 for one pair of orthotics. Since that time, I have repeatedly tried to reach their billing department to find out if my secondary insurance paid anything.. I have found out that my primary insurance did cover some, and I'm trying to contact their billing department now over a period of over three weeks, with numerous messages, and emails.

I still as of today, cannot reach this billing office, as I want to go ahead and make arrangements.

They are not responsive. They have not advised patients of their billing practices. They are not operating as a responsible business..Desired Settlement: I would like to make arrangement to pay most of the bill, and need them to contact me to work out the arrangements.

I would like them to advise if my TRICARE paid something toward this 1050.00 bill.

I would like them to make patients aware that PPO insurance that normally covers most claims, in fact may not be accepted, rather than accept insurance information giving the impression that insurance would cover most costs.

Business

Response:

This patient was out of network and received almost $800 in checks to her home from her insurance that she was supposed to forward to our office to cover our services. She contacted me complaining about the bill from our office and asked if I would accept $500 for the orthotics. She must not understand that we received the explanations of benefits from the insurance company which I forwarded to her via email, showing her that her insurance already sent her checks greater that this amount to cover her costs, and she would end up making money off of our providing her service. In addition, we are billing her secondary insurance for the remaining $250 and they may be covered as well and she may not owe anything. We did not yet hear from her insurance. We are a doctor's office and do not imply that services by another company such as her insurance company will cover her visits. This relationship is between the patient their insurance and that is clearly stated in our financial policy that every patient signs. I have responded to this patient both via email and via telephone on several occasions within 2-3 days of the call to give me ample time to research her account. I have also mailed her copies of her explanations of benefits and the copy of the financial policy that she signed with our office.

Review: I had foot surgery by Dr. [redacted] and had several office visits which each and every office visit, I paid my insurance co-payment at time of service. On August 28, 2014 the Billing Office charged my American Express card for $212.35 WITHOUT letting me know or calling me to discuss all my office visits, and on the charge, it states it is for my insurance copayment which was not paid. I verified with the office manager , Bene, that all visits had a copayment applied already. I called the Billing office on September 4th, again on Sept 5th and again on September 8th and no one has returned my call. The Billing office had no permission to charge my card without authorization or without sending out an invoice, and these charges are incorrect.Desired Settlement: Full credit of the $212.35 applied back to my American Express card and a letter in writing that all charges have been paid and no more expenses are or will be incurred.

Business

Response:

This is to dispute the claims made against Dr. [redacted] office. When the patient came in to our office, they signed a financial policy that clearly states, “We will take a credit card on file for any payments due. Once you sign this form please be aware that we will charge your credit card for any balance due only as stated on your explanation of benefits without further notice.” The patient willingly gave us their credit card.

Our office was contracted with the patients health insurance, but our contract was cut by the health insurance without notice or reason. When an insurance company is no longer contracted with a doctor, the patients insurance company sends the patient a check to pay for services rendered. The patients insurance company sent the patient a check, which they only partially paid forward to us. When we asked the patient if they received checks from their insurance company, they would not give a clear or direct answer. Our office called the health insurance company, and we were told that the checks had been cashed by the patient. Even though we are legally allowed to charge a patient the full amount of charges when not contracted, we only charged the patients credit card what the health insurance allowed and as a courtesy, wrote off the rest of the charges.

It is also written in our financial policy “please understand that you, the patient, are responsible for understanding your own insurance plan”. The patient very clearly did/does not understand their health insurance policy, and does not understand that the health insurance only covers a certain percentage of charges, and (depending on the policy) the patient always has in initial co-pay, and a co-insurance after the health insurance has processed a claim.

We have spoken with the patient, and the patient has stated that they called their health insurance company, which will be sending an additional check to cover the patients co-insurance. We have informed the patient that we will not refund the amount of $212.35 until we have received this check.