Ask Not What Your Doctor Can Do For You . . . : Patients Charged For Asking Too Many Questions

There is an interesting story about patients who are charged more if they ask too many questions of their doctors. In the case of Susan Krantz, a doctor charged her for two visits because she asked too many questions about his diagnosis. It is an interesting trend since consent is the common defense to malpractice. However, if you ask too many questions before giving consent, you are charged by some doctors.

As a registered nurse, Krantz was shocked by the added charge. The new charges reflect the “coding” required by insurance companies where doctors add a charge to a “wellness” visit when a patient like Krantz asks about a hip problem or other concern.

Krantz received a letter from the medical provider that stated “the insurance company may require that patients pay or make a co-pay for services beyond the ‘preventive’ part of the appointment.”

I am waiting for the first malpractice case to raise the added charge in the context of a claim of consent. When the doctor is claiming that he received consent, I hope the plaintiff’s lawyer asks him if he doubles the bill if the patient asks too many question. It is a rather curious message: ask whatever you want but be prepared to be charged extra if you do.

Source: CBS