Reston Podiatry Associates

During an office visit, Reston Podiatry Associates, Dr. Steven A. G[redacted], provided me with a walking boot as part of my treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. His office billed my insurance $500 for the boot. My insurance allowed $243.10. The boot sells for $40 on Amazon from multiple sellers. I had not met my deductible for the year, so this exchange cost me over $200 out of pocket. The original mark-up was 12.5 times what I could have paid for it on Amazon, and the allowed mark-up was still 6 times retail.
Given the outrageous cost, I attempted to return a completely unused boot after I received the bill, but the practice would not take it. They said there are no returns on walking boots. I was told repeatedly by the staff that my insurance company set the rate. I couldn't disagree more. Reston Podiatry Associates billed $500, in my opinion, to gouge me and/or the insurance company to the max extent possible. Yes, I signed a generic form stating that I would pay the amount my insurance didn't cover, but that assumed I was not going to be charged $500 or even $243 for a $40 boot. Again, I attempted to return a completely unused boot, but they wouldn't even look at it. Definitely recommend steering clear of this practice.