Are my Doctor charge legit

[GeorgiaAO]

My behavioral health care specialist now states the "Federal Law" says the he chaarges $200.00 for office visit ( usually about 15mins) then because he writes me several prescriptions, that he has to charge another $200.00 to write them. Is this really true that its a federal law about charging for writing 'scripts. Then I have to say....shouldn't my actual chage for my visit....15 min....lil more lil less....should that be prorated...or next time I'm just going to sit for the whole 50mins to get my value.  Also.....I have waited 1hr, 1 1/2 hr to see him...not so much anymore since I took him to task....I will no longer wait more then 20 mins unless its an emergency for someone. To wait 1- 1/2 hrs....then only see him 10 mins.....and get charged $200.00 for visit, now another $200.00 because he writes me prescription...is absolutley over the top!!!  Then to fill them.....not 1 of my presciptions costs less then $450.00 to fill.....THAT'S WITH UNION LABORER INSURANCE!!!! How can I cut my charges, what's legal, not legal.....HELP!!!

[Paxiled]

Some of the drugs you're taking I'm not at all familiar with, but you say Adderall is fourteen hundred dollars, then you say it's eighteen dollars.  So are you quoting a full year's worth with these prices?  I also don't understand your insurance at all -- a psychiatrist who takes insurance has to take what the insurance company has negotiated, and can only charge more if you have a high deductible.  That's the problem with so-called inexpensive insurance with high deductibles -- if you use it it's not cheap at all.  If your insurance covers drugs, they are quite cheap for generics, but more expensive for drugs still under patent.  So I guess I'm confused about this insurance issue, because you're being charged as if you don't have any.  As for your current psychiatrist, if you want to pursue this the best way is to change doctors, for sure, but you might be able to get some money back by threatening to turn him over to disciplinary proceedings.  After all, if what you say is how it happened, he's lying.

[nursegirl6572]

Quick question, this doesn't happen to be worker's comp, does it?

[nursegirl6572]

I would also ask him for something IN writing about his supposed "required" fee structure as well, for you to have.

[nursegirl6572]

Federal law NOW SAYS...he Dr. write prescritions, they are to charge for this...for him it was same as office charge. I wanted to know if this is factual.

No, that's not factual.

I don't know if your doctor is breaking the law, but he's sure blatantly overcharging.  Writing a script is part of his job.  That would be like me charging the patient extra to take their vital signs, you know?

I would find a new doctor if possible, or maybe call the licensing board in your state to inquire about what he's doing.  Not much will probably come of that, but it doesn't hurt to have these kinds of things on record.

[GeorgiaAO]

I do securities, Term & life insurance, Annuities, so on....I investigate...hence why I found this site. Again, Union Laborer Insurance....AdderallXR 20mg....but I get generic...1458.00, Viibyrd 40mg...458.00, no generic, Xanax, generic version, 412.00 .5mg...Combivent inhaler, 379.00....believe me,....even CVS questions me when I get these drugs,,,they ALWAYS ask me if I know what & how much they are. So now...my Behavioral Dr. charges 200.00 for visit, then another 200.00 just to write these prescriptions for me.....I guess the legality. The Union pays 100% of my scripts up to 5000.00, then it the 80/20....sure you canfigure out the price structure. By, the way, that's just 4 of the prescriptions I fill.....I have few other I didn't mentioned. In Nov., I quit all my drugs....cold turkey...VERY UNADVISABLE!!! Because, the visits and drugs were now out of my pocket. I'm developing my "self employment" busines, husband is construction when basically means out of work...so this is Cobra, but it was this way when he did work full time. I'm lost....just trying to find away....as everybody else. I was just looking to find a resource I could go to in terms of price structure for visits, office charges, 'script charges.....there has to be a "general" rule of thumb that applies to any or all of this. Like I said, looking for resources to verify or to reach out to get help. BUT to the question that started all of this, last year I was charged 200.00 for the office visit.....& 200.00 additional because I left with prescriptions....accordking to hi when I asked him....Federal law NOW SAYS...he Dr. write prescritions, they are to charge for this...for him it was same as office charge. I wanted to know if this is factual. To me, seeing him, recieving those 'scripts all would fall into to the 200.00 OFFICE VISIT!!! sORRY, I obviously am VERY frustrated with this.....probably something to do with not affording the medications...being off med's,...could be wrong....doubt it. Also....have been on these medications for 10, 12 yrs....just the LAST 3 yrs on my husband;'s insurance has this arisen. Had my own when I worked for a bank for 18+ yrs....recieved these, 7 'scripts actually through my mail service....268.00 every 3 mths...FOR ALL!!! Of course had to go pick up my Adderall XR 20mg at pharmacy....18.00 for 90!

[Paxiled]

There's no required charges in federal law -- he can charge you nothing if he wants to.  Given he seems to be less than courteous why not find another psychiatrist?  And just out of curiosity, what meds are you on that cost that much?  Must be a lot of them and no generics?  And usually insurance companies have stated fee schedules both for pharmaceuticals and for doctor visits, unless you have a high deductible you're not reaching.  If you have insurance it's good to contact your insurance company to find out if the charges are legit.