Have Mary tell him that Dr. Grumpy is artisnal, and his copay for that IS $50. Otherwise, he isn't allowed to leave and will have to work off the remaining $25.
I think he is going to have a bunch of bills from a collection agency and after awhile, it will be more than $25 because there will be interest charges.... I once got a mildly nasty letter 6 mos after physical therapy saying I owed $4.00. Whatever. I paid it.
Bickering about a co-pay? Man that sucks Dr. Grumpy. That never happens at the pharmacy (yeah right). I need a sign at work that says "I can neither confirm nor deny your co-pay!" People will still ask me though. It's just the way it is I'm afraid.
Every year in the spring you can find them at the "Toys 'n' at" stores. They've got a plastic handle but the top is over 2' of foam. They come with a big foam ball 'cause they're designed for toddlers to play very very soft softball with.
The best thing about them is that when they hit they sting just a little, but because it's all foam it leaves no mark.
It never ceases to amaze me how shocked and irritated patients act when they are asked to pay their copay. As if they didn't know that the little section on their card that says "copay" actually means something? And then they want to catch attitude with you as if YOU make up their insurance rules and picked their plan for them. UGH!
That's when I just shrug them off, tell them that they don't have to pay anything today and we'll just leave it up to their insurance to bill whatever they'd like. They usually pony up a credit card when I say that :)
Grumps is as about as special as you can get! You could go exclusively private, and get rid of copays at a stroke, just on the basis of your sense of humor! This does not stop me from rather cynically asking whether you might possibly be unconciously fishing for a few back pats from your fans by posting this story..... Whatever, I sympathize completely, because we all get little or no thanks for what we do, usually very well, with no fuss.
Not to worry, Dr. Grumpy... WE still think you're special !!!
ReplyDeleteHave Mary tell him that Dr. Grumpy is artisnal, and his copay for that IS $50.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, he isn't allowed to leave and will have to work off the remaining $25.
Yeah, so why does a couple extra years of school make you so special anyway? Huh? Huh?
ReplyDeleteCome on, give the guy credit. That's funny.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Mockingbird, if Dr. Grumpy is artisnal, the copay has got to be at least $150!
ReplyDeleteIt's not the couple extra years of school.
ReplyDeleteIt's the reflex hammer.
And he knows how to use it. Plus, if he uses it, that'll be another $200.
So just pay the $50, Mr. Aetna, and back away slowly.
That made me snort. Yes. Snort.
ReplyDeleteThat's just cold. Maybe on his next visit, he needs a prescription for something that will give him night terrors...
ReplyDeleteI think he is going to have a bunch of bills from a collection agency and after awhile, it will be more than $25 because there will be interest charges.... I once got a mildly nasty letter 6 mos after physical therapy saying I owed $4.00. Whatever. I paid it.
ReplyDeleteHow can you argue with that?
ReplyDeleteYou didn't prescribe him enough Dilaudid.
ReplyDeleteBickering about a co-pay? Man that sucks Dr. Grumpy. That never happens at the pharmacy (yeah right). I need a sign at work that says "I can neither confirm nor deny your co-pay!" People will still ask me though. It's just the way it is I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteMary needs a Mr. Bat.
ReplyDeleteEvery year in the spring you can find them at the "Toys 'n' at" stores. They've got a plastic handle but the top is over 2' of foam. They come with a big foam ball 'cause they're designed for toddlers to play very very soft softball with.
The best thing about them is that when they hit they sting just a little, but because it's all foam it leaves no mark.
(Sorry about being off-topic, but from the New Yorker on the subject of artisanal...)
ReplyDeleteShould have gone to special school.
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how shocked and irritated patients act when they are asked to pay their copay. As if they didn't know that the little section on their card that says "copay" actually means something? And then they want to catch attitude with you as if YOU make up their insurance rules and picked their plan for them. UGH!
ReplyDeleteNo cognitive deficit there.
ReplyDeleteThat's when I just shrug them off, tell them that they don't have to pay anything today and we'll just leave it up to their insurance to bill whatever they'd like. They usually pony up a credit card when I say that :)
ReplyDeleteGrumps is as about as special as you can get! You could go exclusively private, and get rid of copays at a stroke, just on the basis of your sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteThis does not stop me from rather cynically asking whether you might possibly be unconciously fishing for a few back pats from your fans by posting this story.....
Whatever, I sympathize completely, because we all get little or no thanks for what we do, usually very well, with no fuss.
An amateur psychoanalyst fan (aka artisanal doc)
WV: botort (retort, with bows on?)
I'd have been tempted to tell him that if he wants to bargain, he'll have to do it with his insurance company, and they'll refund him later.
ReplyDeleteWhat an idiot...hello, this is not the flea market!
Not special? How many people do you know who are neurologists AND Mongolian yak herders?
ReplyDeletewell, did you get the other $25??
ReplyDelete