I went to the doctor for a normal check up. I decided to go to one down near the school I attend so I didn't have to make the massive trip home just for a visit. I called the place and said "hey, do you accept my insurance?" "yes." Cool!!! Doctor found, I make my appointment and show up.
The girl at the desk takes my insurance card to double check to make sure they take it, she informs me "yes we take it, your co-pay will be $25." So I happily agree and go see the doctor. Visit concluded everything good. Back to life as usual.
Two weeks later, get a letter in the mail saying my insurance will not pay them. So I call up my insurance and ask them why not, they tell me the doctor is not in my network coverage. Odd? the office told me that they do take it on the phone, and then again in person after they had punched everything into the computer to check. So here I am, sitting on a $500+ bill with the insurance saying "we never pay that doctor, they aren't in our network" and the hospital saying "its not our fault! We told you we take it but you should have double checked, so it is your fault".
So I realize that yes, I guess I should have double checked, but would you double check when you call and ask first, then get told again in person that it is accepted? Why would I question them?
Anyway Teamliquid, what are your thoughts?
For perspective, I am a poor college student. 500 dollars is two months of rent to me.
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I personally don't feel that I should be paying it since I was told that my insurance would cover it, the people at the office should not have told me that they do take it if they aren't sure.