Surprise Medical Bills: Hidden Fees Are Popping Up at Doctor’s Offices
LOUISVILLE,Ky. – Patients scheduling routine doctor’s appointments may encounter unexpected charges beyond standard co-pays, as medical offices increasingly implement fees for services like paperwork, inquiries about health history, and even prescription copies.
These additional costs are raising concerns for consumers,particularly as many are already navigating rising healthcare expenses. While seemingly small individually,these fees can quickly add up,creating a financial burden for patients. New regulations regarding prescription access, alongside a trend toward time-based billing, are contributing factors to this growing issue.
Under the 2021 contact lens rule and the 2024 eyeglass rule, eye doctors are legally obligated to provide patients with their prescriptions at no cost. This explicitly prohibits charging for copies or related paperwork. However, reports indicate this rule isn’t always followed, and similar fees are appearing in other specialties.
Beyond prescription copies, some offices are charging patients for the time it takes to address additional questions or concerns during appointments. Doctors explain this practice aims to maintain reasonable appointment lengths and prevent delays for other patients. Though,consumer advocacy groups like Consumer’s Checkbook report a broader trend of “hidden” fees,including facility and administrative charges,becoming increasingly common.
These extra charges can impact anyone with an upcoming doctor’s visit, regardless of insurance coverage. Experts advise patients to proactively inquire about potential fees when scheduling appointments and to carefully review all billing statements for discrepancies.
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