I needed a mammogram and I have no health insurance. Appt. was 7/24/09 and asked how much the fees were b/c I was self pay. I was told $384. When I checked in, I was told it was $488. I asked for a discount for people with no insurance, receptionist said it will be $317.20. So I paid and did the mammo. Then by 7/28/09, I got another call saying that they needed to do a more extensive mammo b/c they see calcification on the right side, so another one was scheduled on 7/30/09.
I checked in and did the extensive mammo. Talked with radiologist who said that I need a biopsy or another mammo 6 months later due to more calcification found on the right side. I get a bill from Fairfax Radiology for doctor fees for 7/24/09 visit that I was not told about for $88. I called them b/c I dont understand. I paid upfront on 7/24/09 visit. what is this.
On 8/6/09, I got another bill from Inova Fair Oaks that the bill was $552 and not $488 and I have another outstanding balance of 41.93 for the 7/24 visit. I told them that they already told me it was only 317.2 w/c I paid already. Why are they changing the charges. Then I asked am I also going to get another bill for 7/30/09 visit. She said yes. But no one informed me of that when I checked in. So I thought the extensive mammo was b/c they didnt get enough pictures from the first mammo. I believe it was part of the first one. Then I was also told that there will be another doctor fees assoc. with 7/30/09.
That is the procedure but they never told me any of this when I checked in. Both times they failed to let me know the correct amount or mention that there will be extra fees associated with it. I dont think it is right for them to not let patients know the true cost. It is hard enough to find out that the mammo results that I have calcification on my right and then to be hit with fees that they failed to tell you makes it even worse. I called the Radiology Director, Mary W and she said she is only in charge of the Radiology Dept and not the registration. I called the Radiological Consultants and they told me they are in charge of sending out doctors charges. No one can tell me the answer where there is a breakdown in communication in letting the patients know the charges. I dont know who else to turn in for help on this matter. thank you.
