In December I went into my Cardiologist's office who referred me to Southwest Vascular stating I needed to go there right away. My Cardiologist's office called and checked with their office to ensure they took my insurance. They said yes and to come right over.
I went right over to their office. When I arrived, they said they needed my insurance card to verify coverage officially. I gave it to them and then proceeded to wait 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, they came back and said they accepted my insurance but the doctor did not have time to see me. They said he checked over my CAT scans and I was ok and they could get me in the following week.
The following week I came in and had my visit. Now six months later I received a bill for $400.00. Knowing I met my out of pocket for 2016 (hospitalized), I called to clear up the bill. I spoke to Patty- office manager. She was the most rude person I have ever spoken with in a doctor's office. I was stunned and very hurt by how she spoke to me. She raised her voice to me and spoke to me in a most unprofessional manner. It was an awful experience. I had never even received a bill until this one in May and called right away!
She said I was being referred to an outside "billing office" (which I believe is a collections company). I called my insurance and they said this office billed them for months and they were told they were out of network. She said no one ever called in December to verify coverage for my policy plan. She said that this was completely on them and they owe nothing.
I called the "billing company" and the representative was very nice. But she said Patty told her I was responsible for the bill in full. I explained the situation and she said that there was nothing she could do. She told me the person who "verified" my insurance in December is no longer employed there so I was responsible.
My cardiologist had other referrals that could have seen me in my health network at no charge to me. I paid my $400 bill to Southwest Vascular (for their mistake) and want to warn you that their staff, in my opinion, does not do the right thing when they make mistakes. Although the doctor was good, their staff was horrible and I recommend avoiding this office if at all possible.