So as some of you may know my position got replaced due to my inability to effectively work because of my CH's.

I filed for unemployment benefits.

Unemployment office wants a from completed by my neuro.  Basic questions...how long have you been treating patient?  Diagnosis?  Is patient able to work with/out restrictions?  etc.

My neuro office wants to charge me $25 bucks to complete this form.

Is this customary of a neurologist office to charge the patient for a one page form to be checked off with yes/no and signed at the bottom?

I feel like i'm being "nickel and dimed."

LasVegas wrote on Dec 29^th, 2011 at 12:30pm:

So as some of you may know my position got replaced due to my inability to effectively work because of my CH's. I filed for unemployment benefits. Unemployment office wants a from completed by my neuro.  Basic questions...how long have you been treating patient?  Diagnosis?  Is patient able to work with/out restrictions?  etc. My neuro office wants to charge me $25 bucks to complete this form. Is this customary of a neurologist office to charge the patient for a one page form to be checked off with yes/no and signed at the bottom? I feel like i'm being "nickel and dimed."

    Would you work for free?

            Potter

Potter, it depends on the situation...I might, might not, depends on what efforts may be involved.

This one page form takes less than 60 seconds to complete, thus minimal effort.  I am a cash patient of $300 per visit, in/out in less than 10 minutes.

Just think i'm being "nickel and dimed" and curious what others experienced as customary or not.

Have you got an opinion, if so share it.  If not, your sarcasm doesn't make me feel any better about this.

It is considered usual and customary for follow-up administrative work to be included in the price of office visits. That's one of the reasons doctors charge what seems to us as outrageous fees.

LasVegas wrote on Dec 29^th, 2011 at 1:01pm:

Potter, it depends on the situation...I might, might not, depends on what efforts may be involved. This one page form takes less than 60 seconds to complete, thus minimal effort.  I am a cash patient of $300 per visit, in/out in less than 10 minutes. Just think i'm being "nickel and dimed" and curious what others experienced as customary or not. Have you got an opinion, if so share it.  If not, your sarcasm doesn't make me feel any better about this.

Wasn't bein sarcastic at all.  You asked.  I answered.

              Potter

Thanks Brew for your concise reply.

Doctors also love find ways to latch on to medical insurance, especially Medicare and Medicaid.

Good luck in any event.

Charlie

That's about standard here in NC.

Our health provider has a fee structure similar where they charge for these types of forms to be completed. I guess they figure someone has to pull the chart, read a few pages, and sign it. My other guess is the fee helps offset their rising malpractice insurance premiums. :(

Hope the head stops banging soon LasVegas.

Thanks for your reply and kind words Christy.

I think my state's new slogan should be:

Wisconsin: Where everything costs more because you pay up front.

Brew wrote on Dec 30^th, 2011 at 2:58pm:

I think my state's new slogan should be: Wisconsin: Where everything costs more because you pay up front.

Brew, I didn't know WI was that way. Back in my Chicago days I enjoyed many wonderful trips up there...Door County, Dells, Alpine Valley, Kenosha, Madison, Janesville, etc and never noticed this about WI.  Guess times have changed, right?

Las Vegas on the other hand is known as Sin City, Capital of Greed and a town that wasn't built on winners.  So i'm not surprised i'm being nickel and dimed by my local neuro office to check off 10 questions on a 1 page form and charge me $25 for 30 seconds of effort...just wanted to inquire what was customary from others.

Thanks to all who shared input.
-Gregg in Las Vegas

You should see our property tax bill....

I know where Potter was coming from in his response.  Bill on the other hand was also correct.  The question comes down to whether the form is being filled out as a part of a regularly scheduled visit, in which it should be a part of the service, or if it is something done on a stand-alone basis a $25 fee is reasonable. 

JMHO

Jerry