I Just Got the Bill from My Daughter's Pediatrician, Is This Reasonable?

Question

Sorry this is so long, but please read and let me know what you think...

Last month I took my daughter to a new dr.'s office that was highly recommended by a family member.  My daughter suffers with eczema and was having a bad flair-up that wouldn't go away.  We saw the Nurse Practitioner, who specializes in allergies and skin problems, and she gave us a list of things to do and supplements to take hoping that we would not have to use a topical steroid, and gave us orders to get allergy testing done as soon as my daughter's arms were well enough.  She did spend a little longer with us than what I would normally expect from a visit to the Dr's, but it was our first visit and she wanted to make sure she understood the problem.

We had to go back last week because the supplements were not enough to stop the inflammation and the outbreak was getting worse.  The same NP saw us and asked about the things she told us to do, and kind of put me on the defensive because I stopped one of the treatments that seemed to cause a lot of pain and we had not gone to have her tested for allergies yet (because her arms were still so red and inflamed).  She finally agreed to give my daughter a prescription, I think only because I insisted, and wants us to come back in two or three weeks to do the allergy testing.

After the second visit we got the bill for the first visit, $231.38.  They submitted it to the insurance after the first of the year, so we have to pay this out of pocket because of our deductible (which I knew would be the case).  I was just surprised because it's so high, I've never had a Pediatrician bill this high before, and we saw the Nurse Practitioner, not the Dr.  Now I'm wondering what the bill will be for this past week's visit, even after we pay our deductible we're still responsible for something like 30% of the bill.  Normally that's not a problem because the bill is under $100 at any other pediatrician we've been to.

What do you guys think, is $230 high for a visit to the Pediatrician, or is it reasonable because the NP specializes in allergy and skin problems?

celexa · Accepted Answer

It sounds pretty normal, but normally insurance would cover a portion of it, I would let the desk people and the NP know you have no insurance so they can work a better price for you.

zeck · Answer

it truly is amazingly uncomplicated for a first visit to a clean place of work to be a lot more effective than an regularly happening visit price. it particularly is oftentimes because they spend extra time with you, taking history, learning about your topics and diseases, and answering questions. I actually have continually had medical doctors cost me extra for the first actual visit than they have for next ones. It became no longer because she became an allergy professional, even if the health care service will be and that can make a large difference. treatment expenses in this usa are thoroughly out of control, yet with somewhat of success (pass your hands) it receives extra effective in time.

Anonym · Answer

doctors are too expensive, period.

I Just Got the Bill from My Daughter's Pediatrician, Is This Reasonable?

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