ComplaintsforHendrick Urgent Care - Brownwood

• Initial Complaint

  05/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I went to Hendricks Medical Center, to establish myself as a patient. (PPO). I went to the attached lab, and had the required blood work. I asked before they drew the blood, what my portion was going to be. Two hundred, three hundred? The lab tech told me that it would not be that high. Well, I received a bill of $2465.20. I went in person back to the doctor's office to question it. My doctor had no idea that was going to be the cost. The lab said that if I didn't have insurance, it would only have been around $276. For that amount of money, I should have been told up front. I even ASKED for the amount I would be required to pay. After speaking with the business office several times, I called my insurance carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield. I was told Hendricks could either do one of two things: Withdraw the claim and have me pay the uninsured patient amount, or leave the claim as is, and have me pay the $276. Hendricks is refusing to do either one. When I have had surgery, the business office always lets me know what my portion is going to be, because it will be thousands of dollars. I am almost 61 years old. I've had lots of blood work completed. Never has it been in the thousands. I had two hormone levels checked. Each was over a thousand dollars. Now, I've had the same test ran before, and it wasn't more than $60 dollars for all of them, even with insurance. Bottom line: I asked what the cost was going to be and told not to worry. With my bill running into the thousands of dollars, I should have been told and given the opportunity to either agree to the price or decline the lab procedure. I will not use them again, but will instead drive the hour or so to Abilene for a more reputable business. According to my insurance, there is no one else in Brownwood that does lab work. Sounds like price gouging to me. Quest Diagnostics always lets the patient know their portion before the drawing of blood.

  Business response

  05/31/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2022/05/23) */ "After review, the charges for the patient are valid charges. We reviewed our contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and per the contract, we are required to file on the patient's insurance if we are aware there is coverage. As the patient was covered at time of service, per the BCBS contract, we are required to file the insurance. Thank you" Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2022/05/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) First, I asked if the charges would be around $200 to $300 dollars. I was told that it would NOT be that high. Otherwise, I would NOT have had the blood work done. The charges are outrageous. Second, I spoke with BCBS, and they told me Hendricks could withdraw the claim. No problem. I could then pay the uninsured amount , which is less than $300. BCBS also told me, that they could keep the claim filed, and just charge me the $276 price. (Approximate. I can't remember the exact amount. But it is around that figure.) This is Hendricks choice. They have two options. I have spoken with BCBS twice. The two options given, were what they suggested Hendricks to do. Paying over $2000 dollars for standard bloodwork is ridiculous. If it was going to be that high, they should have asked me in advance. I ASKED the price!!! Every doctor, nurse and clinical personnel that I have spoken to, has been shocked. As a business, they should have gone over the prices. I should have had the option to agree or decline the lab. Bottom line, I asked for the price and was told it would be way less than $200 or $300 dollars. I feel tricked. I will be more than happy to pay the $276 or so. This is the amount I was told at the lab, when I came back to see what happened with the bill. Shame on this business. Quest Diagnostics ALWAYS let their patient know the price, BEFORE anything is done. I asked for the price. I was told it would be way less than the price I asked about ($200-$300). And, is is NOT. I'm 61 years old. I've paid $2500 for surgery/hospital stays. Never bloodwork.

• Initial Complaint

  11/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hendrick Urgent Care visit: June 10, 2021 Please see the attached letter that I sent to Hendrick Urgent Care with no response. I was told that I would not be charged for any Covid-19 tests but they charged me regardless of Hendrick Urgent Care's statement that they would not. I called when I received my bill and Hendrick removed the charges, as promised. Then almost 4 months after my visit a different Hendrick entity proceeded to send me bills for the once-removed Covid-19 tests. I want these charges removed (again, see letter) and the billing to cease immediately. Thank you for your help.

  Business response

  12/23/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2021/12/08) */ The patient has and has had a $0 balance with us since July. A statement was sent to him via email 09/30/2021 from the CSR team, when he called in to inquire about his bill. Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2021/12/08) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I agree with Hendrick's response. Please tell them to cease sending bills from all of their offices and correct all of my accounts to read a zero dollar balance. After proof that this has been done, this matter will be closed. Thank you for your help in resolving this matter.

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