Not sure if this falls under the HIPAA umbrella, but here is what happened long story short:
I am diabetic (non insulin dependent, treated with oral meds). Also on anxiety meds that my doctor has told me I CAN NOT go off of abruptly (xanax .5mg 3x daily).
I usually have to see my doctor every 6 months for bloodwork and general check-up. She sends me home with 3 months worth of meds and then I can call in for the other 3 months worth...every other time through this cycle I have to see the doc as it has been 6 months.
I saw the doc 4 months ago, got a bill a month later saying I owed nothing. Then got a bill another month later saying I owed $515 cause my insurance disputed the charges. I went in in person and talked to their person in charge of billing, and she said don't worry about it, it was an insurance F up and she would take care of it. Was told there would be no freeze on my ability to make appointments or get scripts, etc.
I was running out of meds a few weeks back but had just seen the doc 3 months ago, so as usual, I called and asked for a simple refill. Was told I would need to see the doctor. Told them OK make me an appt, they said I would have to pay the $515 in full before I could cause my account was frozen. Called billing with no answer for 2 days, called the nurse back and was told the only lady in their billing dept was on vacation for 2 weeks.
At this point I am out of diabetes meds and almost out of xanax. Called and offered to come in and pay in full and we could work out the details regarding insurance when billing got back. Was told OK, but they couldn't make me an appt for 3-4 weeks after I paid.
Told them to F off, got a new PCP with a first appointment tomorrow. New PCP wants medical records and old PCP is saying they refuse to release them until I pay the disputed bill in full. Keep in mind I have asked 3 times in writing in the last 3 weeks for the EOBs in question so I could investigate them myself with the aid of my plan admin. The cannot refuse the release of my medical records pending payment, correct?
I guess I didn't really make that story short, but this all seems so bullshit. I have been out of all my medication for 2 weeks due to this, it seems so medically irresponsible...plus they should by no means be able to withhold my records I don't care WHAT I owe.
I am diabetic (non insulin dependent, treated with oral meds). Also on anxiety meds that my doctor has told me I CAN NOT go off of abruptly (xanax .5mg 3x daily).
I usually have to see my doctor every 6 months for bloodwork and general check-up. She sends me home with 3 months worth of meds and then I can call in for the other 3 months worth...every other time through this cycle I have to see the doc as it has been 6 months.
I saw the doc 4 months ago, got a bill a month later saying I owed nothing. Then got a bill another month later saying I owed $515 cause my insurance disputed the charges. I went in in person and talked to their person in charge of billing, and she said don't worry about it, it was an insurance F up and she would take care of it. Was told there would be no freeze on my ability to make appointments or get scripts, etc.
I was running out of meds a few weeks back but had just seen the doc 3 months ago, so as usual, I called and asked for a simple refill. Was told I would need to see the doctor. Told them OK make me an appt, they said I would have to pay the $515 in full before I could cause my account was frozen. Called billing with no answer for 2 days, called the nurse back and was told the only lady in their billing dept was on vacation for 2 weeks.
At this point I am out of diabetes meds and almost out of xanax. Called and offered to come in and pay in full and we could work out the details regarding insurance when billing got back. Was told OK, but they couldn't make me an appt for 3-4 weeks after I paid.
Told them to F off, got a new PCP with a first appointment tomorrow. New PCP wants medical records and old PCP is saying they refuse to release them until I pay the disputed bill in full. Keep in mind I have asked 3 times in writing in the last 3 weeks for the EOBs in question so I could investigate them myself with the aid of my plan admin. The cannot refuse the release of my medical records pending payment, correct?
I guess I didn't really make that story short, but this all seems so bullshit. I have been out of all my medication for 2 weeks due to this, it seems so medically irresponsible...plus they should by no means be able to withhold my records I don't care WHAT I owe.
