I have severe allergies and was given a recommendation to this office. When I was contacted for my appt, I was told that the office require that I have two appts, one initial consultation and another for my allergy testing (which I already have). After asking for my insurance info, Chelsea told me that I'm required to have two different office visits. She went on to explain to me that they have an issue with Blue Cross Blue Shield paying them when testing is done the same day as the consultation. Therefore they wanted me to pay out of pocket TWICE so they can bill the insurance TWICE.
This sounded fishy to me so I decided to call my insurance company as well to verify. BCBS said that this was untrue and that they would call the office to explain it to them. Long story short, the allergist continued to tell me that I needed two office visits and that the office personally called the insurance to verify it.
However, every reputable insurance company keeps a record of EVERY call and what it was pertaining to. They said that the office never called to verify co-payments or office visits. She said it could possibly be the doctor's office policy to have two office visits but it is not stated in insurance policy to bill a customer twice. Sounds like a bunch of crooks to me. Hopefully BCBS has enough info on this office so they can removed as a preferred provider.
Unethical or fraud? Up to you to decide.....
