? about Chiropractor billing please!

mima · ‎03-14-2010

When you go to the Chiro, do they have a set fee or do they charge for each region they work on?

I have went to 3 Chiro in the past and they charge a set fee unless of course they do x-rays. My daughter goes to a different one and they also have a set fee.

I just tried a new one and she charged for each region, which was two doubling the price. Is this right for some?

I think I will call them and tell them I won't be coming back and the reason. If this is the norm for alot of Chiros, I will pay the bill and keep my mouth shut. But I still won't go back.

The bad thing is I really liked her. What is normal?

mima · ‎03-14-2010

I called my insurance company (Blue Cross) and asked them about this. They said she was billing for an office call and the manipulation separately. So that is two charges for each visit. Insurance said it was unusual that she charges that way, but it was legit.

The way my bill reads is she is charging for two different regions. I didn't read it right.

Anyway, my bill is twice as much as any other Chiro. I've been to.

I won't be going back. Should I tell her why? I was recommending her to people before I got the bill. The reason I switched to her is that my regular chiro. moved away.

Thanks for any opinions.

willdob3 · ‎11-01-2010

I sign a form that has all services listed & checks beside the ones I had done that day at the end of each appointment. Chiropractic is just one service out of several they have so I expect them to bill according to the services I get per visit.

To be honest, I haven't noticed if there are separate listings for different body parts under the Chiro section. I will try to remember to check next time. - I don't get the bill for it or I would definitely have noticed anything that might add additional expense.

willdob3 · ‎11-01-2010

@mima - Do you have another Chiro in mind to go to? If you do, you might let your Chiro know why you are switching.

Then again, you might want to make sure you like another Chiro as well as the one you are going to now before stating your reasons. You may find that your current Chiro is that much better than your other options. Probably not, it stranger things have happened..

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

It is pretty much the norm for a chiropractor to charge an office visit and a manipulation for the first visit. The following visitis should just be for the manipulation charge, unless they do something extra (ultrsound treatment, etc.).

mima · ‎03-14-2010

@willdob3 After my regular one of 10+ years left, I went to another one a few times. He was ok but was a bit aggressive. I liked this expensive one better.

I do have insurance, but I don't usually use it so I will have to pay her bill until my deductible is met. It just makes me a little bothered that she charges about twice as much as anyone else.

If I switch, I will tell her why because she is in a small town (pop. less than 4,000) and has no business. I know WHY she has no business now. It is a shame. I just think I need to send a note as to why along with my payment instead of calling. I don't want to come off sounding like a you know what!!! I might sound harsh telling her how it is and I don't want to come off like that.

I have a business downtown and talk to lots of people. YES, I have talked about chiros. to lots of family and customers. I have been telling everyone how great she is. Now I will have to say "I really like her but she is twice as expensive as everyone else". LOL That won't do her any good.

The insurance co. actually said it was unusual to bill that way, but it was legit.

The reason I know they don't have any business is because my husband's shop is right next door. The other chiro. that was there had cars lined up. The new people get about 1 car a day. They are also new though, so I really thought that was why. They did get all the old chiros records though and evidently people switched anyway? I don't know. Just guessing here.

mima · ‎03-14-2010

@HerRoyaLioness wrote:
It is pretty much the norm for a chiropractor to charge an office visit and a manipulation for the first visit. The following visitis should just be for the manipulation charge, unless they do something extra (ultrsound treatment, etc.).

@HerRoyaLioness I have went twice and she charged an office visit both times along with the manipulation both times. I would totally understand it for the first time since I was there much longer. Nothing extra was done on either visit such as x-rays or ultrasound.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

Did she give you any training for exercises with a sheet sent home? It certainly couldn't be a reassessment at this point. I'm puzzled at the 2nd office visit charge.

I would find a different one then I think. She sounds like she found a way to pad the bill. An office visit (technically an Evaluation & Management visit) has certain criteria to meet, including taking your medical History, the Examination, and the Assessment and Management Plan for your condition.

I just audited my own new chiropractor for the office visit and he did not meet the criteria for the level visit he charged (did this for a living before recently retiring). Midway through he charged another office visit and I'm going to look into that one.

This gets complicated, but I would want one that you are comfortable with. You are free to ask her or her billing person what the office visits are for, especially if you perceive you are pretty much just getting a manipulation.

mima · ‎03-14-2010

@HerRoyaLioness I think her padding the bill is right. My thoughts exactly. The way it reads, I thought she was charging for each region, but insurance said she was charging for manip. plus office visit. I will type what is on th bill.

8/01/16 98941 (I'm guessing that is the billing code) Manipulation (3-4 regions) $48

8/01/16 99203 Initial/expanded exam $40

8/04/16 98941 Manipulation (3-4 regions) $48

8/04/16 98943 Manipulation (extremities) $25

I know these prices might seem really cheap to some in th cities, but I live in a rural area where stuff is cheap including wages. The most I've ever spent on a chiro is a flat $45 per visit unless something extra is done. My daughter's and husband's chiro are the same price also.

I was there an hour the first time and about 10 minutes the second appointment.

Cheap example- Hair cut and color here is $40. One bedroom nice apartment is $300 a month.

Thanks for your help!

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

I have had several visit to the chrio. this summer. I get charged for manipulation only....the cost to me is about 21.00. I would not pay for an office visit each time. I would be looking for another doctor!

I am waiting to see what he charges for an x-ray. I sat in the office for 30 minutes waiting to get the x-ray...he came to the waiting area, called me in, handed me a gown, (that was the last I saw him) and the assistant did the x-ray!!!

I was irritated to say the least, not only did I wait for 30 minutes when she could have the the x-ray as soon as I walked in but he probably is going to charge for handing me the gown!

The office is very open....the assistant only answered the phone while I sat and waited, so I know she was not busy with other duties.