El Rio Community Health Center Padded the bill, buyer beware! Tucson Arizona

El Rio is a clinic that provides service on a sliding pay scale.  My husband needed to get in to see a doctor.  We called, asked about pricing since we did not qualify for a sliding fee.  We were told that an office visit if you didn't qualify for help was $75.00 flat rate.  So, the appointment was made.  We arrived for his appointment, just like they said, they charged us $75.00.  

Upon seeing the doctor she gave orders for a ton of tests.  We didn't have problems with the "needed tests", but didn't see the need for everything under the sun that was not related to the visit.  We explained to the doctor that we were paying out of pocket for all of the tests and couldn't afford to do tests that weren't needed, such as HIV, Hep C, colon screening...you name it.  None of these tests were needed for what the visit was about.  But the doctor said not to worry, that the tests and any shots given (Flu shot) were covered under the doctors visit.  So we agreed to having the tests done.  

Surprise, we receive a bill for an additional $158.  Not that I was freaking out over $158, but there was no comment on what the bill was for.  Before I could send this bill we called to see what it was for.  We never received a call back.  Bigger surprise, the very next day we receive another bill for an additional $800 plus...once again with no comment on what the bill was for.

My husband called the billing office and asked what the bill was for.  The $158 was listed as doctors appointment.  We already paid the $75.00 requested, so what's this?  Well, they now say that appointments start at $75.00 and can go well over $300 plus.  We then got a hold of the office manager and was told that the billing department had it all wrong and the doctor was correct, everythng was covered under the $75.00 fee.  We were  told to ignore it and she would fix it on their end.

A little time goes by and we once again receive a bill for the $158.00.  I go ahead and pay it, just to be done with it.  Well, once I paid that one they then sent me the big bill again.  Wow!  So, we did the circus thing again and was told that the doctor didn't know anything and that it was our fault for not double checking with billing office.  Hmm, really?

So as of today, I'm going to pay for the tests that we didn't feel were needed just to keep from being sent to collection.  

Going to a regular doctor and not a clinic that is supposedly there to help people would have been tons cheaper.  El Rio's price for a basic doctors visiit is more than the specialist that I see.