Doctor took money for copay when insurance says there is none, and is refusing to give it back almost a year later. help?

Submitted by GamerGrl90 t3_1004k51 in personalfinance

January 2022, I had a tele-appointment with my psychiatrist. She was debating on whether to continue with the video calls or bring patients back into the office. The next day I see $25 out of my bank account, to which I call not only Humana, but the doctor. Humana says I have no copay, Dr says "no, our representative says it's $25." They call their representative again, calle back and tell me "I'm so sorry, it's $5. Not $25." They then ask me for proof that I owe nothing (which I give them multiple pieces of) and want to know if I want a refund, or credit. I choose refund. So fast forward to today. December 31, 2022. Both myself and the doctor have quite religiously trying to leave multiple of multiple messages to get ahold of the billing department to get $25 back and it feels like I'm calling into the void. When I see the man I'm trying to get ahold of in the office, he immediately either hides from me in another room, or straight up either doesn't acknowledge me or changes the subject saying that if I keep bringing it up, I can leave the premises.

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schroedingersnewcat t1_j2fjbs1 wrote

You could always file a complaint with your insurance company, saying that the doctor's office collected money for services covered under insurance. Insurance company can light a fire.

Also, you can contact the state licensing board for the doctor or your state AGs office. Doctor's offices despise regulators breathing down their necks.

Third option is small claims court.

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ahj3939 t1_j2ft84f wrote

It's an error. It's why I do not like to give out card and agree to any billing (because for sure they had you sign document saying they can bill your card for anything outstanding).

What you should have done back then was 1) notify of error 2) give reasonable 7-10 days for resolution 3) If not resolved dispute with bank.

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dudeeeelisten t1_j2fm5d9 wrote

Office is committing fraud with your insurance companies name front and center, they won't like that. Tell them this is happening.

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PAXICHEN t1_j2fszdg wrote

We’re talking $25, right? How much do you value your own time?

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AllTheyEatIsLettuce t1_j2fst2l wrote

Small claims, your jurisdiction, Monday morning.

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PAXICHEN t1_j2ft446 wrote

$25 really?

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AllTheyEatIsLettuce t1_j2fuhdh wrote

HUM isn't going to take the money off the vendor's biller because it can't take the money off the vendor's biller. The money isn't HUM's money.

The biller won't respond to the customer's requests for the money.

That leaves ... what or whom as a means of recovering the money?

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