Diane B.
I'd agree that calling Medicare is the thing to do. They want people to report fraud and misuse of Medicare, so tell them first thing that you're calling to report a doctor misuing Medicare.
Your sister won't have to pay the whole $500 of course though since she is getting Medicare. But even 20% of that is an amount she shouldn't have to pay and Medicare will probably get it reduced, etc.
As for "not covered by Medicare," Medicare itself can tell you why it "wasn't covered" but most likely it just didn't have the right code or something which they and/or you can get fixed at the dr's office, but Medicare would likely be the one to deal with it if it looks like fraud or misuse.
Marilyn T
My 69 year old sister went to the eye doctor with her medicare coverage for an eye exam to check on her thyroid issues.
He told her during the exam that there was a little something on her eyeball, he then took a Q-tip and did a quick swipe on her eye to remove the substances.
Never said what it was etc.
She received a bill in the mail from his office for $500. not covered by medicare it was for "surgery" performed in his office.
I am extremely angry with this sort of scam.
My sister lives alone in Minn. and barely gets by every month.
She still works part-time cleaning homes for other seniors for only $10. an hour about 10 hours or so per week.
How long will she have to work to pay off this silly bill?
I live outside of the US otherwise I would go into medicare myself and tell them about this doctor and his unfair practices.
My sister has paid the bill on her credit card, or so I am guessing. She is not the sort of person to let bills slide even if she must put them on a credit card.
is there any senior advocates in the US such as AARP or even legal aid that could help her to fight this silly charge?
I really find this unfair to do to anyone, aren't these doctors who take medicare suppose to get the ok before doing "surgery"?
Snid
Contact Medicare.
Change doctors.
Kini
You didnt say what he did, so how can we advise? You can contact the local chapter of the AMA, you can report it to Medicare. Are you talking about billing Medicare? Or, your sister's share of the cost? What exactly happened? You might contact a senior advocate or ombudsman in your state.
Ann
Try to get some of her Medicare bills, and then go to your local SS office. Show them the bills and explain what happened.