Rheumy charging to fill out disability form (a lot).

[Parrot Pal]

Hi.  I have a one page form (only half needs to be filled out - and only two sections by the actual doctor).  Rheumy said to give it to the desk when I check out, they will take care of it, but there is a fee.  I was shocked when woman at desk told me $150 to fill out a form, any form, any length.  And they charge it EVERY time.  Okay, I can see up to $25, or even maybe charging by the amount of time it will take, but $150....  It is not even the initial form; it is just the monthly update of dx w/object findings, plus treatment plan.

Have you ever heard of this amount?

[dainbramage]

No, that's too much. Ask your GP or other doctor, but what form is it?  My FMLA sheets cost $25 to fill out and I was complaining about that.

[Parrot Pal]

It's a monthly form for short-term disability plan.  It is basically a re-certification by the physician regarding the status.

It's like being held hostage.  You pay a few hundred dollars for a first-time consult.  Then you either pay the $150 for the form, or another few hundred to find a brand new doctor. 

I happen to like this new rheumy.  So I don't want to doctor shop just to have a form filled out each month. 

I am hoping the disability claim manager will be understanding and either accept the form from the internist, or pay the rheumatologist fee for the form.

[Daisy1234]

When I applied for LTD, my Rheumy charged me $400 to fill in the documentation.  Yes, I paid it and did get approved for LTD so the money was well worth it. 

However for the annual LTD forms that must be filled in so I can remain on long term disability I go to my regular GP who charged the LTD insurance company $200 to fill in the paperwork the first time they requested it.   Now ever since the LTD insurer found out that they would have to pay $200 to my doctor to get her to fill in any forms they send to her, they now send them directly to me and tell me that I'm responsible for any costs associated with getting my doctor to fill in these forms. 

[dainbramage]

I did not pay that much for my short-term, WOW. I am sorry but that is too much especially in this economy. That is robbery. I guess having too many meds, loss of work, doctor visits and pay for paperwork is not enough for us.

[Parrot Pal]

I know what you mean.  But what's a patient to do !?! 

[eyeamdry]

If one doctor was charging so much, try your GP like someone said.  When I filed for disability, I asked my GP's office how they normally handle these things as I know they are probably a pain for the drs and their offices.  Well, the receptionist said to make an appt with the GP (because he was the one going to verify my disability) and bring in the papers at that time.  My GP knew what he was doing, in other words, he fills these out enough to know how to do it.

I did not pay anything for that, maybe a copay for the appointment, not sure.  I had to have 2 or 3 more papers done by drs and I made an appointment to see those docs with the reason "to fill out disability papers."  My ophthalmologist looked like he never heard of such a thing.  He also told me I would never get SSDI with my condition.  I was not yet dx with SJS and was filing on the condition of my eyes ruined by his surgery of Lasik.  There was another surgery that was medically necessary.  He was like "duh."  I made a copy of GP's paperwork and he basically copied the same stuff in the boxes and we were good to go.
By making an appt, the docs got some compensation and I don't know what they used as code.  I am so thankful for my GP!

My eye MD was obviously WRONG about whether I would not get disability.  I did!!!

[irish]

I don't remember having to pay anything for forms to be filled out. I think I would remember because I always read through what I am paying for. Of course, this was back in 2003 so times could have changed. Irish

[CAT1962]

RIDICULOUS! As if we don't fork over enough money for this JUNK! 

[warmwaters]

I've been following some doctor's blogs, and doctors are really feeling the pinch too. They are being asked to do more and more paper work, insurance authorizations, justification for a non-formularly drug, etc. etc., that many doctors with small offices are deciding to close up.

I don't know if $150 is a lot or a little compared to what a doctor usually gets paid per hour, but doing the paperwork does come out of their time to see patients. And some of those forms are ridiculously detailed.

With that said, I have never had to pay a doctor to do this, although I have several times schedule an appointment where the main goal was to get the paperwork filled out. Often I make a copy of the form, and fill it out to the best of my ability before I go in, so I can "help" the doctor get it done faster (and with answers that I agree with.) Because unless it is someone I've seen a lot, they won't remember that much about my case.

[mews]

warmwaters   that's what I do, fill out the paper work the best that I can, because they don't always remember me. They don't always fill in all the blanks, or write the correct answers, I find the Dr's are not the ones filling out the paperwork, but someone I have never met in the back office! Who has a stack of them to do, and could not give a crap what she writes!!!

I had one who had to fill out the FMLA for me, she hardly filled anything out, then faxed it to the wrong place!! When I asked her to redo it she refused... I wanted to reach over the desk and pull her eyeballs out of her face, if I only had the strength.. I got her in the end!!! I went to her supervisor in another building (the Dr 's had several offices), she said she wasn't even suppose to fill it out and couldn't figure out what her problem was.. jerk! She sent it in for me and I got it with no problem at all!

I have not been charged yet for anything, but I always have a feeling it's coming!! I just hope it's not some of those prices I have been seeing here tonight!!!

Feel Well All
Mary

[Meld256]

Parrot Pal,

Wow! This seems like a ridiculous price to me, too.

I was on short-term disability and needed a new certification filled out each time I saw my GP.  Fortunately, all my leave specialist needed was a short note stating that I was still under the doc's care and I was still unable to work.  I would have someone in the office write it out when I was there and the doctor would sign it. 

I understand what you mean about feeling like you don't have much choice.
Take care,
Melinda

[Lesleybird]

  I am a nurse and I understand the doctor getting a high fee to fill out a form because he has to look back over his old notes on you and your history and fill out the history and treatment plan accurately.  It could take him an hour to do that and then if he fills out the form he runs the risk that someone from the disability office will call him with questions about your case. This is a lot of work and I could see them charging maybe $100 to do this. Maybe $150 is a little high, but I can still understand them charging for this service as they do not spend an hour for free.    Lesley

[CAT1962]

I haved wondered just how much the Rheumy gets out of my insurance co. after my waiting in the waiting room for an hour, then waiting 30 minutes for HIM in a room, then him seeing me for 5 minutes tops... Hmmmmmmm

[warmwaters]

Not to be cyncial, but the rheumy probably gets the same whether he treats you badly or well.  Do you have any other rheumys you could go to?