Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital

On Wednesday, February 19 2014, I had an appointment with my pulmonologist, Dr. [redacted]. He advised me to enroll in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy class at the Presbyterian Healthplex. On Friday, February, 21, I enrolled in the therapy and had an evaluation done; I paid $30 through a check. At each subsequent visit to therapy, I paid $30 thru the use of a check. Each time I paid, I gave my payment to a PHS representative behind the check-in desk. There is a sign on the counter at Healthplex stating that payment is due prior to services being rendered. At no time did the representative tell me I that my co-payment of $30 was not sufficient for my therapy. I attended therapy each Monday and Friday through April 18. On March 1, 2014, my company benefits package with Presbyterian changed; at no time has anyone alerted me to the fact that the co-pay has changed.

When I returned home from a family visit Sunday, April 27, 2014 I found a bill in the amount of $819.00 for pulmonary therapy. On Monday, April 28, 2014, I contacted PHS to find out what the charges were. I was informed that there was a change in my policy and that I indeed owed this money. Yet, when I checked all my receipts from the Healthplex, each $30.00 payment was coded as co-pay and no additional unpaid balance showed on the receipt. In addition to the $819.00 balance owed for the 12 visits, another $360 in the amount I paid by check must be added bringing the entire amount to $1179.00 for 12 visits. People are able to buy monthly membership in fitness clubs for far less money than $100 per visit. Your costs for using the same type equipment as a fitness club are excessive to say the least. Considering that I used the exercise machines for 45 minutes, I find this amount quite unjustified and exhorbitant. The therapist at my therapy takes my oxygen level and engages in friendly conversation. As of this dateline, May 1, 2014, I have still have not received any type of literature or explanation from PHS explaining my new benefits. I began my treatment back on February 21, 2014, and yet it took PHS until April 17, 2014 to get around to telling me I had additional charges. I find this practice devious and extremely inefficient.