Argos Vision Center

This letter is in response to your request for a response in regards to a complaint filed by *** *** dated 8/24/We appreciate your offer of help for resolution of the problem that arose after *** ***'s medical visit to our office on 7/12/While under HIPPAA we cannot discuss all the
details of her visit, we can tell you that her visit was not "just for glasses or contact lenses"We tried to reach out to *** *** and we sent her a letter explaining the billing charges filed by the practiceWe also asked her to call with any questions our billing service or call her own insurance *** for explanations.*** *** came to the office for an ocular examinationShe states that she has never authorized charges to perform any medical tests on herHowever, we have a document signed by *** *** that agrees to undergo all the necessary testing as recommended by physicians and also pay for them out of pocket if they are not covered by her medical insuranceIt is a standard form that all the patients coming to the office signFurther, the patient states that she had "additional non-essential exam item'Only a doctor can detect what tests are essentialAll the doctors carry malpractice liability insuranceFailure to detect or to test for a vision or life threatening condition may result in lawsuit actionIn fact all of the tests that *** *** had performed are covered by her insuranceUnfortunately, she has not met her deductible and the medical visit with the tests was applied to her deductible by her medical insurance using in network feesAll the patients usually understand the meaning of deductible and gladly pay it in case it was not metWe very rarely have to send patients to collections.We have been with *** *** every step of the way: her condition was explained to her in detailsShe agreed to undergo testing for serious problemsThere was nothing frivolous in the doctor's ordersContact lens fitting is NEVER covered by medical insurances unless the patient has a MEDICAL condition such as keratoconus and cannot see or function with glasses aloneVision plan has covered *** ***'s contact lens fitting and glasses examVision plans also cover routine non-medical annual examsThere was nothing routine about *** ***'s examShe was advised to seek a lifelong care and follfor her problems with regularly scheduled testing.We are very sorry that this patient did not understand or is willing to understand what the bill is aboutThreatening to doctors with complaints is counterproductiveGovernment authorities are overloaded with complaints from the patients who not happy with their bills and are unwilling to pay for their medical care.If the account remains unpaid, it will be forwarded to collections.Thank you!Very truly yours,Elena M***, MDMedical DirectorArgos Vision Center

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: they also billed my Vision insurance (VSP) on 7/13/for "WellVision Exam" for $So they listed that they billed my medical insurance as detailed in the statement for "Eye exam new patient" for $So there were over $in charges just for the standard exam.The additional tests that were given to me on that visit were not explained in detail.Their statement about not having to send patients to collections is editorializing and not relevant to me asking for itemization for double billing my insurance providers.
Regards,
*** ***