Hidden $1000 fee at your doctor's office? Here's the sneaky charge Americans just found out about
A family in Minnesota was shocked by a $423 charge. They visited their doctor for their daughter's stomach pain. The 15-minute visit cost $201, but a separate fee of $423 was added for 'outpatient hospital services.' Another man in Ohio paid $645 in extra charges. He visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist and got charged $645 as a 'facility fee', as per the The Wall Street Journal.
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One patient paid as much as $1,000 just in added fees. This happened during a urology appointment, which already had its own doctor fee. Cleveland Clinic in Florida is also under fire for charging these fees. Patients were charged $95 to $174 just in facility fees for basic visits like family medicine or a specialist consultation, as per The Sun report.
Many patients feel shocked and confused
One patient, Brandy Macaluso-Owens, said the charge made her heart drop. She visited a gastroenterologist in Port St. Lucie, Florida, for 15 minutes and later received a $174 bill from Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic responded by saying that the fees are legal and necessary. They said these charges follow government rules and help fund outpatient clinics and 24/7 emergency care, as per the report by NBC News.
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These types of fees are becoming more common in the U.S. Hospitals are hiring more doctors, and some insurance plans now make patients pay more upfront before full coverage starts. There are no laws controlling how high these fees can be. Christine Monahan from Georgetown University said most states don't have limits, so hospitals can charge whatever amount they want.
Who should pay these extra fees?
Hospitals and insurance companies are fighting over who should pay. The American Hospital Association says insurance should cover it. But insurance companies argue these fees don't add any real value to care. What should you do if you can't afford the charge? Patricia Kelmar from the US Public Interest Research Group says to call your doctor's office — sometimes they remove the fee. If not, call your insurance company for help or discounts, as stated by NBC News report.
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Surprise fees aren't only in hospitals — restaurants have them too. A breakfast chain had added a 50-cent fee to a menu item, then removed it after complaints. Other restaurants are adding things like 'living wage' fees of 18%, causing some customers to boycott, according to the reports.
FAQs
Q1. What is a facility fee on a doctor bill?
A facility fee is an extra charge some hospitals add for using their clinic space during a doctor visit, even if the visit is short.
Q2. Why are patients being charged $1,000 or more after doctor visits?
Some hospitals add high 'outpatient' or 'facility' fees, which are not regulated and can vary based on the location or type of care.
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