I have an absolutely lovely problem, I'm just confused!

My insurance at my new job started Dec. 1. Dec. 5 I had an appointment with my new hematologist. The bill came to $380, and I have a $250 deductible. I thought.

When I got the explanation of benefits, it said I was responsible for $232 of that, and that I had satisfied my 2007 deductible (for an appointment in December 2006!).

Now. I haven't paid a dime on that bill yet, since I just got it a week or so ago. I *did* pay upfront for my meds, for which I also have a $250 deductible (I thought). The deal as I understood it was, you pay the cash upfront, and 2-3 weeks later they send you a check for the total minus 20 percent that is your responsibility. My total expenditure on the meds was about $210.

Today I got 2 checks for the meds that come to 80 percent of their cost. I also got an EOB for my pdoc appointment on Jan. 3. The bill came to $305 (I'm new here and having to establish brand-new relationships with new doctors, so am getting hit with all the first-time "diagnostic evaluation" charges). According to the EOB, out of that $305 I'm responsible for about $34.

I'm sure I've totally lost everyone by now, but just in case I haven't -- can somebody please tell me how it's possible for me not to have paid a dime yet toward my dr. bills in 2007 and still be considered to have met the deductible? My HR rep at work is out the first part of next week and this is going to drive me batty till then. Mind you, as I said, I'm not complaining -- I'm happy to see the cash back, etc. I just have had bad experiences with insurance companies, and I want to make sure before I cash these puppies that they're not going to turn around and say "Oops! We screwed up! Pay us back!" LOL

Sometimes being a creative type sucks, because I just do not have the brain for this sort of thing, so please be patient with me. Mega-kudos to all who do this kind of stuff for a living!!

Candy