This has happened to my parents several times. My parents have doctors at a local Outpatient Clinic (this Outpatient Clinic is associated with a hospital, not a Patient First facility)and are charged a "clinic operating expense." My mother has Epilepsy and her doctor only sees patients at this Outpatient Clinic. When she receives a visit confirmation in the mail it specifically makes note that some insurance companies will not pay this fee and thus the patient is responsible for paying it. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but a ballpark figure is $40. I also have a doctor at this same Outpatient Clinic, but my insurance company pays the fee.

In another thought, how about Docs who charge insurance companies for office visits when the patient is merely picking up a referral? My former Doctor refused to render referrals without an 'office visit' This arrogant little time-waster thought nothing of making you wait in a damp, dreary basement waiting room while he schmoozed with Pharma reps and then had the gall to ask for a co-pay to top it all off. Seriously, insurance companies should look into this practice.