Have you ever heard of doctors offices charging to fill out the FMLA paperwork?

[cybilx10]

My hubby is going down for neck fusion at the end of September. He got the paperwork from his work and gave it to his doctor the last time we were there. No one said anything to us about a charge. Well the woman who fills out the paperwork called today (after she has had the paperwork for over 2 weeks) and leaves a message stating the paperwork is ready and it will be a $25 charge when picking it up.

I am in disbelief. I just dont understand why they would charge for this. For dh's first 3 back surgeries and I had to have the paperwork filled out the doctors office then didnt charge me nor did my doctor charge me for my paperwork to be filled out when I had my knee surgery just recently.

Is it something new and select doctors are only doing it?

Its bad enough I am paying for this fusion out of pocket, but they have to charge me an additional fee for asking them to fill out papers.

[Macaela25]

I saw a sign about this in our ped's office...didn't pay it much mind since it didn't apply, but I can see both sides of the issue.

A - people that are going on FMLA often have financial as well as medical issues, and one more charge doesn't help.

B - I'm an office manager, and filling out extensive paperwork for someone (FMLA paperwork is extensive on the medical end) takes time away from the job I am paid to do. I can see how an office would want to recoup time lost as an employee takes an hour or two to fill out paperwork and pull records. When we are subpoenaed for records, I charge for records retrieval, copies, and my time preparing. Business is business.

[CW&M Mom]

When we had to get a bunch of medical paperwork done for my son...for his IEP/504 stuff from the ped...basically me and her talking for about 30 minutes and her typing everything up....she had me bring him along...and she listened to him for 30 seconds via stethoscope..so she could call it an "office visit" so we could bill insurance.

Didn't know another good way around it...but this directly affects his health because if I can't get this paperwork done, and can't keep him safe at school...he will get sick..and insurance will be paying out the nose in more medical bills.

[rbunnymom]

Yes, dr. offices do charge for this. My cardiologist has an official policy that states the charge to fill out such forms and if I recall correctly, $25 was the norm. I have seen it listed at other offices also. Sorry:(

[Spanelli8706]

I have seen signs at my Peds office for such fees, but haven't paid too much attention as it applies to school related forms and my kids are little. I have also seen it at my old OB/GYN office, but it was for specific forms I never needed I guess...because I was never charged.

[lovelace]

Some doctors do charge some do not .

[mom2lucas]

DH's neurologist charges $10. It's commonplace where I live.

[mzbeers]

I had to have one several years ago, my Dr's office charged me $15 I think......

[amylynne01]

Whether or not they charge a fee, their customers should be told of it BEFORE any services are rendered. I would argue that you had no idea about the fee and would have reconsidered the service if you knew it cost $25.

I don't have a problem with a reasonable fee as long as customers are alerted.

[CouponQueen23]

Never had thid issure but I have an issue with the x ray photo bills.My little boy is bow legged and we had his legs x rayed and 2 pictures taken they billed us for 4 because they were looking at 4 seperate bones. I understand this but I paid the Dr for his time as the appointment charge was seperste from the xrays. My Dh said so if you have and xray of the hand you pay for 5 because theirs 5 fingers? I am just really bugged on this one. What are you gonna do though.