Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Virginia
Question about medical bills and (lack-of) insurance coverage
For 2008 my employer switched medical insurance providers. Before I engaged in any service I asked my primary care physician if they accepted the new provider and they said 'yes' they did.
Oddly enough, in mid-January I had a stomach illness and was hospitalized for 4 days. My primary care doctor visited every day for a few minutes to check-up on things.
TO THE POINT: Now my the insurance company says my primary care doctor is not in the network - they haven't been since June 2007. The insurance company says that most likely the doctor didnt resubmit/update paperwork, eitherway they are not in network and havent been for some time.
Now the doctor wants me to set-up a payment plan.
My question: if I did the research and asked if my doctor was covered before I received any care, and was given misinformation, do I have any recourse in regards to this bill? It doesnt seem fair if I do. If this doctor (and/or his office) would have told me from the get-go they werent covered under this insurance provider I would have switched doctors. Why would I pay someone a lot of $$ when I could just pay my $25 co-pay for the office visit? That's why I pay for insurance! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Question about medical bills and (lack-of) insurance coverage
The "they" of whom you made inquiry apparently did not know what they were talking about, but I'm afraid that will not legally excuse you from having to pay the doctor's bill for services rendered.
Better go with the doctor's suggested payment plan.