Business ProfileforPiedmont Urgent Care by Wellstreet - South Buckhead

On 9/23/23, I visited the provider after experiencing flu-like symptoms. My appointment was scheduled for 11:10am; they called me into the exam room to take my ********************* at 11:31am *****1). The nurse who took my vitals, ****************************, spent 5 mins. in the exam room, where she asked me to list my symptoms and administered tests for the flu and COVID. She then left the room, where I sat for 10 mins., after which, a PA came in the room, told me that I was negative for flu and COVID, diagnosed me with an unspecified "viral illness" (see Att.1, p.4), and advised me to continue drinking fluids. I exited the exam room and the facility at 11:56am, immediately after my after visit summary was printed and given to me *****2). Based on the only documentation received from the provider, the medical visit lasted from 11:31 to 11:56am25 minutes. At no point before or during the visit was I given treatment options or advised of the costs of the treatments. On 10/16/23, I received a bill ***** 3) for $599.87; after insurance, I owe $428.45. $389.77 of that amount was for an "office visit evaluation," coded as CPT 99204a 45 minute visit that involves moderate medical decision making (att.4&5). This was an overcharge. According to the provider's website, self-pay for the same care is only $195. On 10/20/23, I called my insurance company, who informed me that they could not amend or remove a claim once processed. However, they told me that it was routine practice for providers to amend or withdraw claims. On 10/24/23 & 10/26/23, I called the provider's billing department asking to withdraw my claim and self-pay. On 11/1/23, I received a call from a billing supervisor named ***, who informed me that "once the claim has been approved by the insurance company, we can do nothing about it on our end." I do not believe this to be true. Given the substantial lack of price transparency by the provider, I believe I am *********** the self-pay rate of $195.