<p>We just got hit with a large bill for out-of-network doctors that we didn’t know were out of network. </p>
<p>Several months ago, I had a test in a hospital which is part of a system that takes my good PPO insurance. The doctor who read the results was out-of-network; I never would have imagined that happening, and had had the test at least three times before without this problem. </p>
<p>Recently, a family member had a colonoscopy in the office facility of our gastro doctor, whose practice takes our insurance. However, it turns out the anesthesiologist doesn’t take our insurance. Despite our earlier experience, it didn’t occur to us to ask about this, especially since this was the second time the procedure was done in the same office.</p>
<p>In both cases we were charged over $1000 for using out-of-network doctors.</p>
<p>We plan to ask appropriate questions in the future, but wonder if anyone has run into this. In particular, can we expect the hospital or practice to accommodate our insurance? Or should we shop around to find another practice or facility that does?</p>
<p>DD had this happen in an ER. The hospital took our insurance but the doctor didn’t. I called the insurance company and disputed the charge. Basically I said “you know…when they put you in a cubicle in the ER, and send a doctor in, are you supposed to ask if he takes your insurance?” The company paid the bills.</p>
<p>In addition, there are what they refer to as “RAP” doctors – radiologists, anesthesiologists, and pathologists – whom no one ever “chooses”; they come with the rest of your care. Call your insurance company and argue these bills. I anticipate you’ll have a good outcome.</p>
<p>We had the same thing when DH ended up in the emergency room and was transported to a different hospital by ambulance for surgery. It turned out even though the hospital was in network not all the doctors and other staff were. When we first got that bill … Yikes!. I called the insurance company and got transferred a bunch of times but eventually they said there was no way for us to know who was in or out of network and they paid it. I would call your insurance company and be polite but insistent that you had no way of knowing.</p>
<p>We ended up with that situation after my cystoscopy. The clinic and doc were in network but they wanted to charge me out of network costs for the surgical supplies. I called and told the insurance company that I had not been warned that I needed to bring my own sterile cloths and probes, etc. They paid up.</p>