Sunday, May 24, 2009

Irritable For Cause

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I am irritable today. Just downright irritable. The IVF coordinator warned me that as my E2 level came down I might be a little emotional.

I haven't felt emotional, per se. No, not sad, not gleeful, not morose or gloomy. Just irritable.

I am irritable because I received in the mail 2 bills from our outside monitoring clinic. They performed the U/S's and blood draws for my since-cancelled cycle and faxed the results to our primary Clinic. Well, those vampires charge me $125 "monitoring coordination fee" each visit, in addition to the cost of each U/S and blood draw.

On my last visit there, the only thing I had done was an E2 level. I did not occupy an exam room. I did not see a doctor. There was no report that had to be typed up. Just a girl who drew my blood and sent it to their on-site lab. I paid the $90 lab test fee. But they still charged me $125 for the visit! To do what? Send a fax of the lab result?! I'm just livid about it. I think it's highway robbery. Thus far, in 4 short weeks, they've collected nearly $3,000 from me in U/S's, E2 levels and "coordination fees"! That's without any insurance coverage.

I will have to use this clinic again during my next cycle. Part of me wants to raise hell with them about it, but it's not like I have the option to go to a different clinic. This is the place to go. I'm just pissed and feel like they are taking advantage.

And BTW, I don't think they coordinate shit for me anyway. I always have to remind them where I am in my cycle and what we are looking for in each U/S. My appointments are never on time and....well....I'm just angry. And I don't believe for a moment it's attributable to my declining E2 level. I attribute it to a greedy clinic and my inability to do anything about it.
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

dude, reading that makes ME irritable. I'd raise hell, but I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut about that stuff.

Anonymous said...

What a joke!! I'm so sorry that the clinic is ripping you off. Hopefully all this heartache and frustration will be worth it for you very, very soon!

tireegal68 said...

I don't blame you for being irritated.Is there a way that you can dispute the charges without telling them what you really think of them? I know it would be hard for me? and isn't the billing department separate from the people who do the actual treatment? Would they even know?
I am sorry those blood-suckers have your money and now they want more of it!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry you are having this additional crap heaped on you - I hate the whole medical billing/insurance scam. Someday karma will catch up with them.

Loved your pet peeve post (ppp). Must consider my pet peeves for future posting!

Anonymous said...

i would be raising holy hell!! way past irritable. that is complete BS!!

they seem pretty oblivious to the additional fact that they are dealing with hormonal women! they are poking the bear!!

xoxo

Scrambled Egg said...

I would talk to their office manager about it. Especially for us gals with no insurance coverage--you need to know what exactly they are charging you for. And if it's legit. If they give you a legitimate reason, at least then you will know what it is--and hopefully that will help the irritability. And, hey, there is a chance that they might take it off--it never hurts to ask. =)

Jennifer said...

That makes me so mad!! It definitely sounds like they're taking advantage of the situation. I agree with the comments above - can you call and get more info about the "coordination" fees? (ICLW)