https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:42:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1967327 Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:32:29 +0000 erwoo 1967327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thismustbetheplace: That's great news! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1967315 Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:29:15 +0000 thismustbetheplace 1967315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to post an update in case anyone digs up this thread:</p> <p>I filed an official appeal to my insurance company who stood by their original payment (they paid 100% of the 'reasonable and customary charge' so I'm not surprised they didn't want to pay more). I spoke with the billing department at the Anesthesiologist's and after giving me the run-around they said I could write a letter of appeal to their practice management and request a write-off of some/all of the balance-billed charges. I sent the (strongly worded) appeal letter back in early September and never heard back or received another bill. I called to today to make sure nothing shady was going on and they told me my account was at $0! So a good ending after all.</p> <p>I'm shocked and disappointed that this is such a commonplace practice. I can't imagine how many people have just forked over the extra $$ thinking they had no other options... just because the facility knows they can get away with it. It's sad really. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832842 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 20:53:38 +0000 catomd00 1832842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm certain you'll be able to successfully appeal this. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832771 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:56:41 +0000 owlmom 1832771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: thank you so much! And I'm sorry you have to deal with this frequently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832759 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:38:05 +0000 Anagram 1832759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://guides.wsj.com/health/health-costs/how-to-avoid-surprise-medical-bills/" rel="nofollow">http://guides.wsj.com/health/health-costs/how-to-avoid-surprise-medical-bills/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832747 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:29:51 +0000 Anagram 1832747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thismustbetheplace: @owlmom: PLEASE read this. I have been through this several times, as I have a genetic proclivity to colon cancer (yay) and get colonoscopies every other year and have had an epidural when having my LO. Anesthesiologists are almost ALWAYS "out of network". Literally almost always. For what they do, they have no incentive to hire employees to code bills for insurance companies, so they don't join any networks.</p> <p>So you have to call your insurance company and invoke the "ologist" rule and say that you didn't have the choice of using an in network anesthesiologist. Then the insurance company is required to negotiate with the anesthesiologist and only charge you for an in network anesthesiologist. </p> <p>Your insurance company won't do this automatically because they want you to pay full price. Neither the anesthesiologist nor the insurance company will tell you this. They collect a lot of $$ this way.</p> <p>If they rule against you, file a dispute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832728 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:20:59 +0000 SeptMomma12 1832728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had something similar happen last year when LO spent a week in the PICU with RSV. He was admitted to the PICU at an in-network hospital, but it turned out the PICU doctor on call when he was admitted was not in-network, even though he was the head of the department at the in-network hospital! He was our doctor all week and we had no idea...until we got the $8,000 bill! We had to file two appeals and it took almost a year (and way too many phone calls), but finally the hospital and insurance company worked it out themselves somehow and we didn't have to pay it. But it was so stressful. Like @owlmom said, some states have laws against this exact situation. We're in NJ and they didn't, but I know NY does. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832727 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:20:14 +0000 artsyfartsy 1832727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sucks. Unfortunately we got saddled with 80/20 for maternity care and delivery. So I was expecting a big bill. Then I had 3 hospital stays before birth and an unexpected c section so we are paying about $4,000 total. Wasn't expecting that much. :(</p> <p>Insurance sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832722 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:15:56 +0000 lemondrop 1832722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but it was only about $120. Didn't happen with my first delivery, but I've had a few minor insurance changes since then. My husband started to complain since it arrived about 3 months later, but my epidural was my second best thing to happen to me on delivery day, so I told him to quit complaining. If it were more money, I would have definitely taken it up with my insurance company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832604 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:43:22 +0000 owlmom 1832604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm currently dealing with this too. Exact same scenario - did my due diligence with my insurance company prior to my c-section, hospital and OB in-network, etc. I contacted my insurance company first and was told they wouldn't pay more because the anesthesiologist was out-of-network, despite being told prior to my surgery that there would be no out of pocket expenses and me having no control of anesthesiologist choice. They told me to contact the doctor. I contacted the anesthesiologist's office and was told to file an appeal with my insurance company. I just sent my appeal yesterday. It turns out many states have laws that protect consumers in the case of an in-network facility providing an out-of-network doctor over which the patient has no choice. In my state, I'm entitled to remediation between the physician and my insurance company if the balance billed to me is over $1,000 (which mine is). I live in a very conservative state - if you live somewhere more liberal-leaning your laws may provide better protection. Try googling "consumer protection balance bill out of network hospital provider (insert your state)." Wall me if you want more specific details about what I've found out, what I've written in my insurance appeal, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832570 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:09:09 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1832570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd call my insurance company and ask. I had a bunch of bills like this after delivery and they gave me a heart attack. But when I called they said that I have no choice over which doctor or service I could have at the time. So they said to just fax or mail the bill to them (the insurance co) and they would take care of it. Its been over two years and its just been settled a couple weeks ago. It was sent to a debt collector and everything but it was eventually resolved ....after numerous phone calls and letters. Annoying but we didn't have to pay it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832495 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:54:10 +0000 maddyz 1832495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did after my d&amp;c it was so frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832488 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:42:23 +0000 jhd 1832488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately we have had something similar happen. DH had surgery &amp; the surgeon was in network but the facility was not. So frustrating. I would call and question them about it. Be persistent and maybe they will change things for you. But I'm so sorry this has happened. The last thing you want to do in your precious down-time with a newborn is talk to insurance people!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832482 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:37:31 +0000 thismustbetheplace 1832482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: That's my plan, I just wanted to build a good case in my mind (have all my proverbial ducks in a row) before I call.<br /> @runnerd: That's what I assumed as well! The services were provided IN the hospital, how would I have known this was a contracted doctor, not a hospital doctor? And to be honest, in the moment, would I really have cared? Haha :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832479 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:35:40 +0000 travellingbee 1832479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This did happen to me a few years ago when I had sinus surgery. Same exact situation. I called and called and called and really stayed on them and eventually they did remove most of the charges. It's such a pain dealing with this stuff though. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832474 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:32:36 +0000 MamaG 1832474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you actually contacted the insurance company regarding the processing of the bill? I had something similar recently where a lab was processed as out of network. When I called to question it, the insurance acknowledged that I can't control where my physician sends my blood and the claim was reprocessed as in network based on the referring physician being in network. It was a simple 5-10 minute call without having to go through an appeal process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832463 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:22:35 +0000 matador84 1832463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This happened to me a few years ago when I had surgery. Insurance wouldn't do anything about it. It happened with the ambulance when I delivered, and it has been a six month battle with insurance. Uh, I HAD to have an ambulance and it's not like I have a choice in who I get. They billed me, insurance didn't cover because it was out of network. Well, I called and then they ended up taking 400$ off the $1100 amount for a discounted amount. Super annoying but that was as good as it got. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832456 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:17:28 +0000 mlm2934 1832456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, I have no advice, but I just assumed anything happening at my in-network hospital was also in-network. I never would have thought to ask that question! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832455 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:16:41 +0000 jedeve 1832455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I appealed an ultrasound bill because they were no participating providers within forty miles, which was there allowable limit. (Actually there were no within 70 miles). They did decide to pay the in network amount, but the place had since joined the network. </p> <p>I was surprised to get my anesthesiologist bill separately. It was around $300 and took months to resolve because the original bill was $2000 and the shady billing company didn't answer their phones, so my insurance kept insist on billing me the full amount. </p> <p>I'm sorry. Medical bills are such a pain to deal with and figure out! We have had lots of trouble with in network vs out of network expenses this year - our providers keep getting billed as out of network. My suggestion is to always appeal. No harm in it. It's saving us around $2200 total by arguing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832454 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:15:29 +0000 tlcbaby 1832454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This happened to my sister and she did fight it and was able to have the charge removed. In my opinion, they should notify you beforehand of things like this. Granted, there may be nothing you can do if there are no in-network providers, but you should be given the choice to make an informed decision. I think it is worth taking up with the hospital, if nothing else maybe you can get it knocked down a bit.</p> <p>You may have more leverage if you can pay the agreed upon amount in cash/check as opposed to credit upfront instead of a long term payment plan because then they will know they are getting payment from you and avoiding their credit processing fees? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-have-to-deal-with-an-unexpected-anesthesiologist-charge-after-delivery#post-1832449 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:09:23 +0000 thismustbetheplace 1832449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did our due diligence before (and a second time, during) my pregnancy to make sure of our maternity coverage. DH works in academia so our health insurance was pretty fantastic. We confirmed that maternity, delivery, and hospital incidentals would be covered at 100%, with just an adorably tiny $10 copay for maternity. So all is lovely, rainbows and unicorns, etc.</p> <p>Lo and behold, I received a $900 bill in the mail today from the anesthesiologist! Apparently, unbeknownst to us, our hospital contracts out anesthesiologists and the group they work with is not contracted with my insurance :shocked:. I was in NO way competent at the time to be asking whether the doc was 'in-network' and I can't imagine anyone would be. I've since looked up the 'in-network' providers in my area and there is 1...1 doctor in this city of over 200k people who would have been in network. Needless to say he was not available when I was in labor.</p> <p>The anesthesiologist billed my insurance who paid the in-network price (just over $2k) and according to their billing office, the remaining amount is my responsibility. What the heck? I feel like I had ZERO choice in the matter. I'm going to appeal to my insurance company but I have no idea how this will play out. I certainly don't have $900 lying around as a newly SAHM barely making ends meet...</p> <p>Anyone have a similar experience, or any suggestions for the best chance in getting this appealed? </p>