[Speed3]

Hi All, Speed3 here I haven't been on for awhile I hope everyone is doing ok.

I started this thread because I really need some feedback. I wondered if this was the right place to put this. I have bipolar 1
and almost all my old threads were on here.

Where to begin... Last Tuesday I had an early afternoon appointment with my PDOC. I have been seeing him for 14 years for Therapy and Meds. He is about 40 minutes away.

I gave myself an hour to get there in case I happened to run into traffic. Which I shouldn't because of the time of day.
Well was I wrong. I went down the long entrance way to this major thruway. It was at a stand still. I sat and sat. My appointment was at 1:45. It was 1:20 and I sent a text to my PDOC telling him it looked like I was not going to make it. He texted back the appointment after me was there early. He said he could see them and then me after.

I said definitely see the other patient, but I could not guarantee when I could get there. I rolled along and finally got off at an exit. So did everyone else. About 10 minutes later I was rear ended. Thankfully I was in my husband'a truck. No damage for me but they did. I texted him with the update, no response.

I drove home. The next morning I texted him with some refills I needed. He texted back ok, but you have to pay me full price, 180 dollars not the 40 co-pay for missing yesterday's appointment.

I said back, ok take the 180 and minus the 10 minutes you were late at my last appointment. Minus the 7 phone calls you made on my time talking to another patients insurance. Minus the 10 minutes you were going over their chart. All in all this visit, I paid full price for 45 minutes , but got about 10 minutes of his time.

He did not like this. He said pay me or find someone else. He never asked how I was from the accident. I said back I see it's about money and not about me at all.

Yes I will find someone else, but he needs to continue to supply me with meds he put me on and got me addicted to.

Oh and he needs 48 hours for a cancelled appointment or he charges. 24 is not enough.

I was just wonder, how other people's PDOC would handle a situation like mine and should I pay him the 180.

Mine would have never charged me under those circumstances.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Mine wouldn't either I don't think. Things like that happen

[wildflowerchild25]

My husband's pdoc charged him an appointment price ($150) for refilling his meds when SHE was out on maternity leave.

My pdoc is part of a community mental health center so they don't charge for missed appointments. My pdoc would have just rescheduled me.

Your pdoc sounds like a jerk.

Btw I've missed you. Hope you are doing ok.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Mine is part of a huge hospital system and has nothing to do with billing except she enters in a code for what she did but she would have made sure I didn't pay for that.She also would have stayed to see me as late as she could.

[Nammu]

Being stuck in traffic and then getting rear ended were things beyond your control. You should not be charged for that. He definitely needs to follow the best interest of the patients and make sure you have refills.

[unaluna]

What did you text him when you texted him an update? He may have still been expecting you to show up, since you were able to drive home. Or to reschedule.

I think pdocs are aware they are in a sellers market, if only temporarily. They can get testy if we are not worshipful enough.

Do you know how much your insurance reimburses him for a visit? Just curious.

[cashart10]

Mine certainly would not have charged me under those circumstances. Your pdoc sounds like a jerk!

My pdoc is only there to issue meds. Other than that, we just say hi and good bye.

[Yoda]

Welcome back, I have missed you.

Your pdoc is for sure a jerk. If it were me I would pay only the copay unless he is refusing to give your Rx for your meds until you find a better pdoc.

[~Christina]

Hiya Speed Nice to see you.

My pdocs office has the standard 24 hour rule. I once had car trouble and never made it, he didn't charge me though.

You have a long history with him... Maybe you can talk to him and come to a agreement? I would maybe offer to pay what your insurance pays him per visit , no more.... If he refuses to budge then I would certainly look into finding a new one.

One thing you might want to think about, if I remember you were on a benzio..( I can't remember which one) lots of Pdocs refuse to prescribe and might not want to take on a patient with a long term benzo history... Just something to think about.

I'm glad you weren't hurt in the accident , that is whats important.