Any recourse on a medical bill?

I've had plantar fasciitis (foot issue) for years. I have a night splint boot that I don't wear because it's pretty bulky. I went to the podiatrist and she recommended a different night splint. This one is slimmer. It's pretty much a little piece of plastic and two Velcro strips. I said ok, I'll try it. I wore it one time and stopped because I woke up in the middle of the night with numb toes (not sure why, because I did not have it on too tight). Anyway, I get the bill, and this flimsy splint is $276!!!! Similar ones on Amazon sell for $30. I called up the podiatrist office and complained. When I had my appointment my teenager also had an appointment and was told he needed orthotic shoe inserts. The podiatrist informed us ahead of time that the inserts were $380, yet did not tell me that my flimsy night splint was $276! I told the receptionist that I wanted to return the night splint, as I wore it only one night for a few hours, and that I would not have paid $276 for it, had I been told the price ahead of time. She said I cannot return it. Insurance did not cover the cost. What are my options at this point? I am so pissed off.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2017 03:11PM by DareWright.

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You can ask for the office manager and ask them to take it back. Do you have a health savings account that you can apply the night splint to ? If you have an account, you would have needed a prescription for the splint as proof.

I asked them to take it back and she said they don't accept returns. I have a HSA, but I never received a prescription. They just handed me the night splint at my appointment.

You may have to check with your HSA to confirm if it can be covered but mine does. My HSA requires a letter from doctor prescribing it. If you decide to go down this route and there is no other solution, ask the doctor's office to write you a letter dated the same day they gave you the splint saying it was prescribed that day.

Can you talk directly to the podiatrist? Handing you something flimsy without informing you of the price would make you think the price was insignificant. Let the podiatrist know that the item sells for $30 and that's all you are willing to pay.

You can also call your insurance company. They will let you know if the charge is reasonable or not.

@ChrisCooper wrote:

Can you talk directly to the podiatrist? Handing you something flimsy without informing you of the price would make you think the price was insignificant. Let the podiatrist know that the item sells for $30 and that's all you are willing to pay.

You can also call your insurance company. They will let you know if the charge is reasonable or not.

Thanks, my insurance (Anthem BCBS) didn't pay for any of it, probably because it was a rip-off. The office manager was supposed to call me yesterday and did not. I faxed their office a detailed letter, and am saving all my paperwork, including the fax confirmation.

OP-------->Did you check other places to get those inserts for your child?

If the Dr is ripping you off, maybe he is ripping off the child's cost to.

Just b/c a podiatrist is a foot Dr does not mean every thing Foot, you have to get foot supplies from them. There are medical supply stores or any reputable drug store (CVS, RiteAid, Pathmark The Good feet store) and etc have good supplies.

Tell that Dr the cost of that flimsy splint is costing you "a arm and a leg" or foot.

@sojo917 wrote:

OP-------->Did you check other places to get those inserts for your child? If the Dr is ripping you off, maybe he is ripping off the child's cost to.

Just b/c a podiatrist is a foot Dr does not mean every thing Foot, you have to get foot supplies from them. There are medical supply stores or any reputable drug store (CVS, RiteAid, Pathmark The Good feet store) and etc have good supplies. Tell that Dr the cost of that flimsy splint is costing you "a arm and a leg" or foot.

I did not check other places for the inserts. I have inserts that were custom-made and they are worth every penny. I've tried many, many inserts sold in stores and online, and for my foot issues a custom-made insert is the way to go. My daughter participates in Track and Cross Country in school, with daily practices and weekly meets, so I really needed to go with inserts that were specifically created for her feet. They used plaster and made casts of her feet for the inserts.

I feel your pain, when you need a certain item, you need it. My new aggressive eye drops along with the allergy drops came to $650.00.....help, but I spoke with my Dr., and he wrote to the Pharmacy and I am getting them for 6.00 apiece. I'd ask everyone involved to get the cost down or exchange.

Live consciously....

Getting items directly from the same doctor means they often get commision or are able to upcharge it. Did you sign any paperwork? It might be hidden in the discharge papers or whatnot.

Either way i doubt a lawsuit will solve anything because the charge is low.

shopping north west PA and south west ny

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Any recourse on a medical bill?

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