The experience:
I was in Arizona for a wedding on a holiday weekend. I knew I had an eye infection and couldn't wait 3 more days to be treated. I arrived and the place was a ghost town, not one person in the waiting room. The front desk girl was very short, curt and not friendly.
She insisted on me paying a copay for a "specialty visit" per my insurance card which for my Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO doesn't have urgent care as a specialty. I explained this to her as she said she needed to call and verify my coverage. Knowing I had to be seen, I paid the larger copay knowing she just called to verify it was a lower copay.
I spent the time filling out their numerous documents with my medical history.
The Care: Once I was brought back to have my weight and vitals the young man went through each item that I had just filled out with me. When he got to the second page I told him that I filled those out no longer than 10 minutes ago and that nothing has changed since bringing me back. (I think the last menstrual period date was when I said enough was enough)
He told me he had to confirm everything I wrote down was accurate! ((Seriously? No I lied on the intake form but now that you ask, I'll tell you the truth)) (head smack)
Once in the room, the doctor was quick and within 30 seconds knew I had an eye infection. She sent my Rx to the local drug store and I was done.
The Aftermath:
Today, I received my EOB (explanation of benefits from my insurance) and what do you know, they owe me the overage of copay they insisted I pay, even though they knew it wasn't that high since they called the insurance company prior to me seeing a doctor. (The longest part of my visit I will add) SO.. I call their billing department number. A Tasha answers me and I explain they need to send me the refund for the copay overage. She states I need to talk to the refund department and she will transfer me. Nope, she laughs and hangs up.
I call back and listen all the way to the end to find they have a refund department on the prompts. I press the number and it transfers me only to say "The department you want is not available" and then hangs up on me. I try one more time.. Same thing.
This place is clearly bottom of the barrel I get that, but the scam of taking money and not wanting to return it is unacceptable.
I filed with my insurance company a grievance since they are contracted. My insurance states the doctors office has to respond within 30 days or they can lose their contract.
We will see!