Can a doctor treat me for 3 months, accept my co-pay and then tell me after I stop going that he made a mistake and they don’t accept my insurance?

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Can a doctor treat me for 3 months, accept my co-pay and then tell me after I stop going that he made a mistake and they don’t accept my insurance?

I went to physical therapy for three months, gave their office my insurance card and paid copay each time. After I stopped going, the therapist called me to say his front desk did not verify my insurance, they don’t accept it and I am responsible for the balance of over $2,000. I told him I never would have gone if I had known this. He apologized for his staffs mistake but said I signed a document saying I am responsible for all charges. Now, I’m getting collection letters from his lawyer. What are my rights? Was there a meeting of the minds?

Asked on July 27, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Louisiana

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

It is entirely possible for a physician to accept a patient, accept the patient's health insurance and co-pay payments and then after several months down the road advise the patient that the patient's insurance is not accepted by the medical office.

The problem is that had the patient been advised form the get go that his or her medical insurance was not accepted, then the patient would not have kept going to the doctor and run up the bill that was run up. From what you have written, under the laws of all states in this country, the treating doctor should be held to the co-pay amount paid and no more for bills incurred to date. If you get pressed on the payment, you might consider making a complaint with your state's medical association about the issue that you are writing about.


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