So I was speaking with the coordinator at the surgeon's office and I was told that I need to pay my deductible, out of pocket amount, then 20% of the procedure (insurance would pay 80%) along with a $675 program fee. All of this is due at my pre-op appointment on Aug.30th and once this is paid, she will then submit to BCBS to see if it is approved. I forgot to say that all of this is non-refundable and they can't guarantee an approval from the insurance company. I'm trying to figure out if this is a common practice among surgeons everywhere. I really can't afford to give up all that money for it to be denied. Then what?? I'm also trying to figure out how in the world they're making me pay 20% up front if they don't know what the insurance company is going to allow them to charge. She also said that if approved, once the surgery is over with and the insurance sends them their claim, they will refund me me via check in the mail whatever amount I overpaid.

When I went for my consult a couple of weeks I guess I signed a paper agreeing to this non-refundable policy. I honestly didn't remember signing it but they faxed me over a copy with my signature on it.

I'm still having a really hard time with this. Please look closely at he wording on the policy you signed. I'm really thinking that the no refund only applies to the 675 which they could justify in administrative costs. I simply can't get my head around how they could keep a 20% deductible for a procedure they don't perform.

I really can't see how that could even be legal.

O.T.R. is right. I am a medical biller. This is shady. I would call your insurance company to let them know, then find another doctor. A participating doctor is not supposed to collect a deductible prior to the claim being submitted. Many try to anyway, which isn't that big of a deal if you're going to end up paying for it anyway. But, non refundable, before even an approval? No way. Offices like this count on people not reading the fine print.

FRAUD they are trying to rip you off. Are they out of net work? I would go some place else and report them to your insurance if they are in network. I would also call them and tell them before you pay anything to them you are going to discuss it with your insurance company.

I have BCBS and I didnt have to do that.

I'm going to call the insurance company today to confirm if they are in network and to see if this should be happening. Thanks for your suggestions.