Medical "agreement to pay" forms.

camaroon4me

"Shut up brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-Tip!&quo
Joined
Apr 27, 2004
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Hey guys, I was speaking with one of the patients that I transport, and she told me something that is worth passing on to everyone I know.

When a person goes in for medical/dental/optical etc... treatment, oftentimes the office will give you a form to sign stating " I agree to be responsible to pay for any costs which are not covered by my insurance....yada yada yada..".

By signing this form, it could obligate you to pay any amount that the physicians can think of.

My patient had received medical bills of $75.00 and $80.00, even though she has a great medical insurance plan which paid 80%, and also medicare which paid 20%. She did not have to be a genius to figure out that the office was charging her more because she signed the form.

She phoned her attorney, who asked her if she had signed an agreement. After telling him that she had, he promtly admonished her to never sign that form ever again.
There is no law that says you have to sign it, and they cannot make you sign it!

He said the correct thing to do is to write " I do not agree", and simply initial the form.

My patient has done this ever since, and the receptionists cannot even question her about it. She has not received any bills since!

This may have been a long winded note, but I hope that it may save all of you some money in the future.

John V.
 
Wow, and I thought that stuff was just for liability purposes. Will take a second look next time. ??? ???
 
camaroon4me This is good advice.

I'm still battling the Hospital where my son was born ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO!!!

At 4 am you'll sign anything...
 
Naive question here, but can they refuse you service if you refuse to sign? What do you do then? Cite religious reasons or something like that? :p
 
SFG75 said:
Naive question here, but can they refuse you service if you refuse to sign? What do you do then? Cite religious reasons or something like that? :p
Good question Sarge. When I asked her that same question, she told me that it has nothing to do with the treatment. It's simply a way for the office to try to collect more funds. I guess when you think about it, a lot of times the office accepts what the insurance company is willing to pay, which may be a lot less than what they would actually charge. For example...my patients, the hospital charges about $50 for a ride of over 20 miles. Well the insurance company pays $40, and if the patient agrees, they get billed for the $10.

By signing the form, you are saying, "ok,I will pay the rest". I never knew that you had a choice, they just give it to you and hope you sign. According to my patient, the office people do not even question her over it.

I would love to hear from some other lawyers out there, cause it sure could save a lot of people a lot of money.

JV
 
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