Doctor's Won't Take Cash Or Credit?

[Failed]

I tried to make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I have insurance, but apparently they don't cover a physical exam. I said not to worry about it, that I would just pay cash. They told me that they can't accept cash, or credit, that they can only make appointments for what a person's insurance covers. I even offered to pay up front for the exam, the blood work, and anything else that needs to be done. They still declined.

Anyone else experience anything similar? Is this standard practice now in the USA?

[Phoenix]

what country are you in?

[12clicks]

no. it isn't.

[Failed]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

what country are you in?

USA - Pennsylvania to be specific.

[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by Failed

I tried to make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I have insurance, but apparently they don't cover a physical exam. I said not to worry about it, that I would just pay cash. They told me that they can't accept cash, or credit, that they can only make appointments for what a person's insurance covers. I even offered to pay up front for the exam, the blood work, and anything else that needs to be done. They still declined.

Anyone else experience anything similar? Is this standard practice now in the USA?

You can find doctors that will take a check (Self-pay). The reason why there are some that won't take "self pay" is that they can charge insurance companies more than when they are charging patients directly.


.

[Cyndalie]

How do they accept copays then?

[Rochard]

That is odd. Is it possible that the doctor's office doesn't have a payment solution in place that doesn't involve a co-pay?

I've noticed that most insurance companies do not do "sports physicals", which is a short little physical kids get for playing sports. Which is utterly stupid. A local chiropractor does them for us at $25 a pop. With 250 kids in the league and the bulk of them going to see him, the chiropractor is going to have a few busy and profitable weeks.

[woj]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

You can find doctors that will take a check (Self-pay). The reason why there are some that won't take "self pay" is that they can charge insurance companies more than when they are charging patients directly.


.

That doesn't make any sense... they can charge "self pay" patients exactly the same as they charge insurance companies... there is no paper work to fill out, no drama, etc... so it seems like "self pay" would be preferred....

[sperbonzo]

Originally Posted by woj

That doesn't make any sense... they can charge "self pay" patients exactly the same as they charge insurance companies... there is no paper work to fill out, no drama, etc... so it seems like "self pay" would be preferred....

Actually, many states have laws about how much can be charged to self-pay patients as opposed to what can be charged to insurance companies.



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[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by woj

That doesn't make any sense... they can charge "self pay" patients exactly the same as they charge insurance companies... there is no paper work to fill out, no drama, etc... so it seems like "self pay" would be preferred....

You get "a discount" if you self pay. Depending on what you are having done, I literally pay an average of 40-60% less that I would with insurance. For example, a routine visit with insurance is around $125.00 @ my current doctor's office. By comparison, I typically pay $65-75.00 cash on the spot for that same appt..

Whether this is because of the savings to them (paperwork, clerical staff, etc.) or an incentive to get you to pay cash it is a significant price difference versus rack rates to be sure.

[Tom_PM]

I'm guessing at this, but I'd say it has to do with malpractice insurance and lawyers.

Just what everyone loves to deal with when they are in need of health care.

[AdultKing]

The more I read about the American health system the more fucked up it sounds.

It should be free to go see a doctor, or at least very cheap and subsidised by taxes, why aren't more Americans up in arms about such a fucked up system ?

[JamesGw]

I was actually under the impression that they had to accept legal tender (cash) for services. That's a load of bullshit.

[Paul Markham]

I know it sucks big time here as well. They won't treat you in a hospital or a local doctor, dentist unless you pay them $2.

Well not me as I'm registered as an invalid. Or our daughter as she's a minor.

Whole system sucks. LOL

[wehateporn]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

The more I read about the American health system the more fucked up it sounds.

It should be free to go see a doctor, or at least very cheap and subsidised by taxes, why aren't more Americans up in arms about such a fucked up system ?

So much corruption over there, a scary system

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Failed

I tried to make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I have insurance, but apparently they don't cover a physical exam. I said not to worry about it, that I would just pay cash. They told me that they can't accept cash, or credit, that they can only make appointments for what a person's insurance covers. I even offered to pay up front for the exam, the blood work, and anything else that needs to be done. They still declined.

Anyone else experience anything similar? Is this standard practice now in the USA?

Here in Canada, some of the speciality blood work is not covered and you have to pay the Lab for it, not the doctor

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by Failed

I tried to make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I have insurance, but apparently they don't cover a physical exam. I said not to worry about it, that I would just pay cash. They told me that they can't accept cash, or credit, that they can only make appointments for what a person's insurance covers. I even offered to pay up front for the exam, the blood work, and anything else that needs to be done. They still declined.

Anyone else experience anything similar? Is this standard practice now in the USA?

Originally Posted by Failed

USA - Pennsylvania to be specific.

Im in PA too, never heard of that but guess doctors offices just dont want to deal with people outside of insurance.

They probably fear that if you came in and they found something terminal then your insurance company wouldn't cover it because the procedure was done OUTSIDE of your insurance coverage and maybe they be held liable to finding a way to have your insurance cover it.

Seems a bit retarded by any means

[VikingMan]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

You can find doctors that will take a check (Self-pay). The reason why there are some that won't take "self pay" is that they can charge insurance companies more than when they are charging patients directly.


.

Yeah but some like to take cash and will give a discount because then they don't have to deal with the insurance companies paying out. My dentist gives me a nice discount because I pay up front.

[VikingMan]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

The more I read about the American health system the more fucked up it sounds.

It should be free to go see a doctor, or at least very cheap and subsidised by taxes, why aren't more Americans up in arms about such a fucked up system ?

The problem is that certain pieces of traitorous excrement made sure our immigration laws were changed to favor people from the 3rd world and of course we have millions of Mexicans flooding the southern states. So we have this massive underclass with their fucking hands out. Plenty of hospitals in SoCal have had to close up shop because they use the emergency room for every health isssue. But of course "diversity" makes us "stronger".

Would I like to see a socialized health system? Yes of course but it would only work if a high % of the population were productive citizens. So when socialized health care does arrive (and it will eventually because turds do whatever the media tells them to) it will just reduce the quality of care for everyone except the really wealthy.

[dyna mo]

i've come across this often with endocrinologists over the last several years.

[seeandsee]

what kind of democratic-communist system is that shit...

[Failed]

Thanks for all the replies. I just got off the phone with another physician's office who will allow me to pay cash, credit, or check to come in and have the physical done. They said that they would even try to charge the insurance first, see if they can get some extras covered, and then bill me for the remaining balance.

I also told them about the other physician not accepting cash or credit and the woman in the office told me she's received several new patients because of that particular office and their billing policies. She's uncertain why they choose to operate the way they do. The only people she's allowed to turn away is those without any insurance. She refers them to the ER.

So, who knows? Perhaps just one office and the way they choose to do business. It's sounds like the other local physicians are benefiting from their strict billing policies and be handed their clients.

[Phoenix]

so the drs office turns away people with colds who dont have insurance to clog up the ER?

also another wise decision

[kicks]

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

You get "a discount" if you self pay. Depending on what you are having done, I literally pay an average of 40-60% less that I would with insurance.

This may be the case where you live but not where I live. In fact I asked once about paying it right then and there at the Hospital and they told me I would actually pay 50% more than insurance would pay, they got a volume discount, if I paid up front I got no discount and would have been expected to pay the full price. Pissed me off that insurance got a discount when i am sure they are months collecting from them and I would get nothing for paying cash. Not the same everywhere I am sure.

Sounds more like they just didn't want the OP as a patient. Try another doctors office and I am sure someone will be happy to accept the legal tender in this country. Did you wear a shirt saying "I make PORN" or maybe "I saw your mom on crackwhore.com" ?

[raymor]

I normally got a cash discount when I asked for it. a couple years ago we started having company provided insurance because that way it's paid with pretax dollars. We may lose that since our rates went up 50% shortly after Obamacare was enacted.

[topnotch, standup guy]

Originally Posted by AdultKing

It should be free to go see a doctor, or at least very cheap and subsidised by taxes, why aren't more Americans up in arms about such a fucked up system ?

Because the teabaggers got them thinking that socialized medicine is all about forming death panels and euthanizing their grandparents.

[AmeliaG]

I always pay for my medical care, rather than for health insurance which may or may not cover whatever. I find that some doctors' offices act puzzled by the notion of taking a credit card or check, instead of an insurance card. I don't think I've ever been refused service, although I have come across a doctor or two which wanted pre-pay. I always thought pre-pay was rude, but no big deal to pay 15 minutes or a day or whatever before my appointment vs. 15 minutes after.

Most doctors love not having the extra nonsense with the insurance companies and will give a cash discount. I recommend finding a better doctor.

[D Ghost]

Health insurance companies. What a joke.

[twistyneck]

I've never heard of a doctor that wouldn't take money. All of the ones I've ever encountered have been money grubbing pigs.

[AmeliaG]

I should add that one of the reasons doctors usually offer a cash discount is that you paying upfront saves them administrative costs. If you were talking to one of the administrators whose job is mostly dealing with insurance, you might want to appeal to the actual doctor, who may be perfectly happy to take you on as a patient.

If you have a doctor you see for anything else, you should ask them for a recommendation. I always find the best people that way and I think that is how most people find healthcare providers, other than insurance referral.

[tony286]

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Actually, many states have laws about how much can be charged to self-pay patients as opposed to what can be charged to insurance companies.



.

you are mistaken. Insurance coimpanies pay alot less than cash customers. THey offer volume.Example I went to an eye doctor, I paid $150 for my exam. My Dad said I wished you would of talked to me first. I asked why, he said you probably could of gotten that for less. The reason he knew is because he worked for a large health insurance company and they paid that same doctor for the same exam $35.

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by tony286

you are mistaken. Insurance coimpanies pay alot less than cash customers. THey offer volume.Example I went to an eye doctor, I paid $150 for my exam. My Dad said I wished you would of talked to me first. I asked why, he said you probably could of gotten that for less. The reason he knew is because he worked for a large health insurance company and they paid that same doctor for the same exam $35.

Insurance companies want you to believe that they get better rates, but they often do not. Standard rates for medical care in the USA are grossly inflated because most people have the insurance cushion, as a result of everyone's tax dollars supporting the insurance industry.

I regularly get cash discounts on medical care. I suppose the rate depends a bit on the doctor and how generous he or she is.

Even if I were paying $150 for a $35 exam, which I'm not, that would still beat the heck out of paying a few grand a year for the privilege of the lower price when I use it.

[BFT3K]

[baddog]

Just a weird doctor. Move on.

[Spunky]

Are you a Black man?