Legal Question in Business Law in Maryland

Hidden Fees

I went to an eye doctor appointment yesterday, and had already gone through the whole exam and received my new contacts when they came and told me what my bill was. Instead of the $91.60 I was expecting, it was $171.60!! This is because there is an $80 sitting fee that I was never told about. Of the agreement papers I signed, one was for HIPPA and the other was general information like ''If your insurance company doesn't cover the whole cost you have to pay the difference'', but there was no fine print and NOTHING about a sitting fee. I knew I'd have to pay for an exam, and I knew I'd have to pay for the contacts, but no one ever said anything about a sitting fee--and when I came in, I gave them the paper stating what my insurance would and wouldn't cover. Do I have the right to be reimbursed for this fee since they charged me for it and didn't tell me about it until after service was provided? They do not have a sign anywhere stating what their service fees are.


Asked on 10/22/04, 3:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Hidden Fees

It sounds like the "sitting" fee is in fact the exam fee and the $91.60 is the cost of the contact lenses. Have you attempted to clarify this? You should check with your insurance company to see whether the exam fee is covered; if so, perhaps you won't have to pay this. It's always best when going to a medical provider for the first time to find out what the fees are and then checking to see what your insurance will cover. If the provider accepts the plan coverage, you won't get stuck with the difference.

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Answered on 10/22/04, 12:19 pm


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