Legal Question in Business Law in California

medical office billing

Hi, thank you for your help, my question is . . .

Are medical offices required to diclose the amount the work they will perform on you before they do it, or can they just charge you for whatever they feel is necessary? for example i had recently had some blood work done and had i known it would cost me $1500 i would not have done it. i have insurance but they are saying i have a deductible and the insurance wont cover it. should they not first have told me how much everything will cost, or am i stuck with paying whatever they ask?


Asked on 6/10/04, 4:01 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
MAURICE MEHRBAN,M.D.,ESQ. Law Offices of Mehrban and Associates

Re: medical office billing

LAW OFFICES OF MEHRBAN AND ASSOCIATES IS A MEDICALLY ORIENTED LAW OFFICE. WE ARE LICENSED PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS IN PRACTICE OF MEDICAL LAW.

No medical test or procedure may be done without consent of a patient. Further, if the billing is improper for a service that is not performed, an issue of misrepresentation may be raised.

Your question is not completely clear as to the specific procedure charged for $1500.00. There are not many lab works for such a price. As such, no legal advise may be given without proper information provided to this law office.

Thank you for your courtesy.

Law Offices of Mehrban & Associates

losangelesfirm.com

Read more
Answered on 6/10/04, 4:42 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: medical office billing

As I understand it, "informed consent" must be given by the patient before the procedure; however, in that phrase, "informed" refers to information about the nature of the procedure, the medical risks, recovery time, pain, etc. and not the cost.

Read more
Answered on 6/10/04, 5:00 pm
Sheldon G. Bardach Law Offices of Sheldon G. Bardach

Re: medical office billing

Medical services are just like any other services, in order to charge you the doctor must get your consent for the treatment, unless you have delegated to him the decision as to what is reasonably necessary. You should have been engaged in a discussion as to the costs, and what the test were for, so that you could have a basis for making a decision. Too bad you didn't have a doctor willing to do that, but we have developed a "doctor knows best" attitude in this country, I do, however, think that is changing since more people want to have a hand in their care and treatment.

Read more
Answered on 6/10/04, 4:12 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in California