topic Re: Just How I Am in Community Chat

Just How I Am

Jordan2 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:18:10 GMT

So I don't want to come off as a Polly-Anna or a Goody-Two-Shoes ( I'm not), but this is me. I always try to tell the truth and do the right thing, be a good citizen. I went to the doctor yesterday, I have met my deductible and knew I owed a copay. I say to the receptionist can I give you my copay now, she looked at me in disbelief. She said most people head for the exit trying to leave without paying the copay. Why do that, you know you owe it, it's the right thing to pay it upon leaving the office. I said to the receptionist I feel I am a representation of my parents when I go out into the world, I would never want to do anything to embarrass them or disrespect them ( they are both deceased). I think the medical assistant thought I was crazy, although she said that's nice. Am I a relic, does anyone think the same as I do?

Re: Just How I Am

sandy53 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:21:41 GMT

My clinic expects the copay at the time of check-in.

Re: Just How I Am

Bri369 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:26:33 GMT

I can pay the co-pay online when I check in before the appointment. But our doctors expect the co-pay before the appointment.

I understand some people aren't prepared to pay their co-pay. Most doctor's will bill you for the co-pay. I think most people are good people and would try to pay their co-pay; but if they can't for whatever reason, I'm not going to judge.

Re: Just How I Am

Kachina624 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:31:31 GMT

@Jordan2. I don't have a co-pay but I understand how you feel in regard to your parents. I have the same philosophy.

Re: Just How I Am

catter70 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:41:00 GMT

It's the right thing to do in any circumstance.

Re: Just How I Am

chickenbutt — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:45:02 GMT

I hear ya, Jordan. I didn't get any parental teachings, growing up, but I feel fortunate that I decided very early on that I was going to be a responsible individual and a good citizen.

I had a weird thing with my dentist appt last month. I signed up for this new program they have that covers a whole lot of procedures and a percentage of the rest. It was only $186 a year, so it was a great deal. I couldn't use my debit card, so I input the checking acct info on the form. I was 100% certain I put the correct info.

But I kept watching for the charge and it never came. I guess I could have just let that ride, but I would not have felt right about it so I called them and explained. She got the info and the people doing the input for the program had input the very last digit of the checking acct # wrong and it got charged to somebody else. Nothing ever happened and, from their POV it was paid so there was never anything to look into.

I managed to get it fixed and all was good. Nothing there out of just regular, ordinary, not being a bad person, but I'm glad I changed it. Whoever initially paid for it must have money to burn that it was never disputed. I was surprised at that, when I found out where the charge went.

Moral of the story: It's always good to be decent and do the right thing. I hope we get back to that but there will always be those who don't abandon those principles.

Re: Just How I Am

Deree — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 20:21:34 GMT

@Jordan2 I am exactly like you and have been called a "Goody-2-Shoes" on more than a few occasions especially at work. I make no apology. :-)

Re: Just How I Am

Grouchomarx — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 20:27:59 GMT

I have to pay when I check in at the doctor's office. They won't see me if I don't. If they somehow didn't charge me, I would not volunteer the money. I feel I pay way to much for health insurance to begin with. I guess I'm not as honest as you.

Re: Just How I Am

alicedee — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 20:42:07 GMT

If they tell me I owe something when I check out, I pay it. If they send me a bill, I pay it.

The office staff works with insurance companies all day. If they don't tell me at checkout that I owe, I assume I don't owe anything. Not every visit requires a copay. If I am mailed a bill, I send them a check.

I don't think this makes me a dishonest person.

Re: Just How I Am

Boomernichols — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 20:46:35 GMT

@Jordan2 When I go to the dr you sign in and they will call you back up to the window. At this time you will be asked for drivers license and insurance card plus deductible. It has never been a problem for me because it is standard across the office for all patients before seeing the doctor.

Re: Just How I Am

SeaMaiden — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:24:50 GMT

Guess I am fortunate that I never pay a co pay with my insurance. I am sure though I probably pay it SOMEWHERE IN A HIDDEN EXTRA CHARGE or something.....

Re: Just How I Am

AuntG — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:43:49 GMT

Like you, I have a conscience and wouldn't feel right getting something for nothing. Acting in a way that would please our parents is a good way of putting it.

Re: Just How I Am

happycat — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:43:59 GMT

I use to give them the co pay when I got done seeing the doctor, but for years here, they have been asking for it when we check in for our appointment.

I can't imagine trying to leave without paying, but if they do that, they will get a bill or probably next time be hit up for it. I really don't know what the point is, if this is their regular dr.

Re: Just How I Am

MW in Iowa — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:46:10 GMT

They always ask me if i want to pay as i am checked in , they don't expect it , but i always pay at the time , instead of getting an extra bill in the mail. By the way at my hospital if you pay early you get a 10% discount , and that really helps for anyone that has been to the ER or have had procedures done.I was pleasantly surprised.

Re: Just How I Am

rockygems123 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:49:53 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
So I don't want to come off as a Polly-Anna or a Goody-Two-Shoes ( I'm not), but this is me. I always try to tell the truth and do the right thing, be a good citizen. I went to the doctor yesterday, I have met my deductible and knew I owed a copay. I say to the receptionist can I give you my copay now, she looked at me in disbelief. She said most people head for the exit trying to leave without paying the copay. Why do that, you know you owe it, it's the right thing to pay it upon leaving the office. I said to the receptionist I feel I am a representation of my parents when I go out into the world, I would never want to do anything to embarrass them or disrespect them ( they are both deceased). I think the medical assistant thought I was crazy, although she said that's nice. Am I a relic, does anyone think the same as I do?

@Jordan2 I feel the same as you do to continue and honor my parents' legacy. My 24yr old son was born after my parents died so I tell stories to him oftem about them so he knows the quality people that were his grandparents.

Re: Just How I Am

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:56:18 GMT

@Jordan2 No I am just like you, I am a very honest person, and would never try to get away with anything! If I ever receive too much money back, I right away give it back, I just could never be that kind of person who is always trying to get away with things knowing they are wrong! I was brought up to be a good and honest person, and that is how I raised my daughters as well.

Re: Just How I Am

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:58:22 GMT

I have a co-pay and when I check-in with the receptionist, they take my co-pay then. At my previous doctor, you had to walk past the desk on the way out and you didn't get out without paying your co-pay.

OTOH, there are times when a facility will call me to pre-register me for a procedure of some kind and they will tell me what my portion will be and ask if I want to make payment or are bold and ask how I plan on paying for that. The last time I told them I wanted to wait for my EOB and it's a good thing I did because I owed $300.00+ less than they told me I would.

Re: Just How I Am

haddon9 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:58:27 GMT

@alicedee wrote:
If they tell me I owe something when I check out, I pay it. If they send me a bill, I pay it.

The office staff works with insurance companies all day. If they don't tell me at checkout that I owe, I assume I don't owe anything. Not every visit requires a copay. If I am mailed a bill, I send them a check.

I don't think this makes me a dishonest person.

I do exactly the same and never gave it a thought...if you pay upfront, during or after it will get paid...I don't understand the discussion.

Re: Just How I Am

Nancy Drew — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 22:07:00 GMT

Character is what you do when no one is watching.

Re: Just How I Am

Jordan2 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 22:52:15 GMT

@CANDLEQUEEN wrote:
@Jordan2 No I am just like you, I am a very honest person, and would never try to get away with anything! If I ever receive too much money back, I right away give it back, I just could never be that kind of person who is always trying to get away with things knowing they are wrong! I was brought up to be a good and honest person, and that is how I raised my daughters as well.

@CANDLEQUEEN I do the same thing, I'll tell the cashier if they gave me too much change back. The reason is, they're going to come up short, I don't want them to be docked the amount they're short by. I also never complain about service I receive from a worker, even if it was the worst, I would never want to be responsible for possibly getting someone fired.