lisag8070

the best one I had was when I took my daughter for her yearly check-up, I paid the lady with my debit card and low and behold 6 months later I get a bill for the grand total of 29 cents..

and of course they'd mailed it first class which cost 42 cents..

and yes I went to the office and gave them their money..I told them if they were that desperate for it by sending the bill out first class...they could have it..

Redwing

Some time ago, my wife had surgery, and there was a charge for therapy, which she could not have had, since I was there all day on both days she was in the hospital, and no therapist came in, plus the doctor did not order it. Two letters to the hospital produced no response. So I wrote a third letter, saying that if I did not get a response, I would ask the local paper to investigate on my behalf. The hospital replied saying that the nurse's chart showed that therapy was administered. I replied to say that they must have been mistaken, giving the reasons why, and I did not intend to pay this false charge. A month later, I get a written demand from a collection agency. I typed up a letter to the State Health Commissioner, took it to my state representative, who added a note of his own saying "Do I need to follow up on this?" Two days later, I get a call from the state, a real nice guy, saying he couldn't understand the hospital's attitude. He said "I'll call you back." He did, half an hour later, and said that they would delete the charge. This is not an isolated example. I have found that if you have a problem with insurance, or a health provider, with respect to charges, the last thing they want is the state to start calling, asking questions.

Michael

Doctors are considered to have the worst business organization/ability in the US economy. If they were in any other business, they would probably be bankrupt.

Sally Redux

We have HMO for which we pay $300 odd a month for family of 4. It seems to be extremely arbitary and incredibly complicated as to what you pay in copays and prescriptions. There is usually a mistake/query involved in any transaction, and whole rainforests are decimated for all the paperwork.

TimFountain

Yes but you have to spend it all in that year, at least with most plans I have seen. What you don't spend you end up losing. Good if you know you have a fixed cost (we used it for the wife Lasik) and for child care....

- Tim

tamms_1965

I always underestimate and it is still a huge amount. You can use it for over-the-counter things like aspirin and contact solution. I know how much my contacts will be and if DH is going to need new glasses, etc. plus my DD's contacts. If I think I'm not going to hit my target I just order the next supply of contacts, etc.