Patient First Rip off....they bill you once your insurance has paid Richmond, Virginia

Patient First has a great doctor, I enjoy seeing when sick. However, they're the worst for billing... You'll go in and give them your insurance card, and pay your co-pay assuming everything is covered.

Although, you've paid your co-pay, and everything the doctor has done is covered by your insurance. First they'll fill out the claim form incorrectly, and then you'll get a bill from patient first telling you what you owe.

I being a person who's self-employed, I get to see more of how my insurance company deals with claims better than being part of a huge group. I call patient first, and they'll tell me they filled out the claim forms correctly...it's my insurance company.

Therefore, I call the insurance company and explain the procedure for a certain date, and find out it's fully covered. However, Patient first didn't put this on my claim form. They had put another procedure, I needed approval to do if not an emergency. The insurance co. has even faxed me copies of claim forms, and I've seen them filled out incorrectly. I call patient first and offer to fax a copy of the claim form for a particular date, and they say " we take your word for it, and we'll fill out the claim correctly this time. In the meantime I continue receiving bills from Patient First's billing dept. This goes back and forth several times, until the business office threatens to turn me over to a collection agency. Although, I know it's their fault...I go ahead and pay to avoid the collection agency being reported to my credit. A couple months later, I'll receive a copy of treatments from my insurance co. and it's been filled out correctly. Therefore, the insurance co. pays a bill I've already paid. I'm certain there are people here who've had great experiences with Patient First, but the doctor I see is the only positive experience I ever have. Personally, I think it's because I'm self-insured, and have to do so much more leg work than someone who's on a group plan from a large corp. This same thing has happened with me several times, and now I just ask the doctor what my fees will be with the insurance discount. He'll adjust my paperwork so I can pay on the spot!!!!