OK, so I just have to ask if anyone else has encountered this because it just seems asinine to me. I am 33 weeks pregnant and went in for my biweekly checkup and was asked to sign a form accepting a $25 fee for any documentation they have to fill out. I have to have both maternity leave and disability paperwork filled out and signed by the OB so that is $50 total that has to come out of pocket because insurance does not consider it a valid fee. This is my second child and my first OB filled out and signed the paperwork in less than a minute. What really gets me is that Dr. Jennifer Meadows from the Cedar Park Women's Center waited until I was 33 weeks pregnant to have me accept these charges. It just seems unethical to do that to someone so close to term. It's like going to a restaurant and at the end of the meal being told there is an extra $25 fee. Has anyone else encountered this? Is there anything to do about it?
I have left Dr. Meadows office and am now seeing Dr. Chalasani at Seton Northwest and I am so glad I did. I had a lot of issues with Cedar Park Medical Center and Dr Meadows that I did not even realize until I removed myself from the situation and started looking back. Dr. Chalasani is caring and professional and has children (which does make a difference to me). She takes my concerns seriously. With my First child I was only in labor for four hours from the first contraction. Dr. Meadows dismissed my concerns and just said it'll be ok. Dr Chalasani on the other hand made sure that I had the proper contact info for afterhours and said that I should come in at the first sign.
Also, when I told Dr. Meadows office I was leaving they were very rude and dismissive which did not surprise me.
Thank you all for your input and I think what I will take away from this is that if you don't feel comfortable with your medical provider there is a reason and there are other doctors out there.
Dr. Jennifer Meadows delivered my son last year and I could not have been happier with her! However, I did not have the issue that you are having with her. I would just personally talk to her yourself about your concerns. I was a self-pay patient and she went out of her way to make sure I never paid more than I needed to. Dr. Meadows is an excellent doctor that you will be happy to have when you are in the delivery room.
Jennifer delivered my daughter about six months ago, and I LOVE her.
My first delivery was very stressful and it ended up being a very emotionally damaging situation. Jennifer listened to all my concerns. We talked almost every week through my fears and concerns and what was going on in my personal life.
She is open and willing to have discussions, both about easy topics and difficult ones.
Her staff has also been very open to talking about paperwork and financial issues. I never felt pressured to pay certain amounts, and they were very flexible when I asked if I could make payments.
I would try to talk to either the office staff (I blanking out on her name- Jenny?- the blond woman who is often in the front of the office is GREAT) or talk to Dr. Meadows. I am sure that you guys can come to some sort of conclusion.
Dr. Meadows is perfect during and after the delivery. I wouldn't part with such a great Dr. over an issue that can be discussed, especially when the issue is only worth $50.
Yes there is something you can do about it. Fire your OB and hire a midwife.
Lisa
If this is a new policy, it should apply to new patientsn and not be "tacked on" for existing patients. Patients should be informed of such policies at their first visit.
I would write a letter to the MD (mark envelope "personal and confidential") and tell her exactly how you feel. Be direct and to the point, and request that these fees be waived since you were not informed of them prior to this time. Good luck!!
I would protest the fees and if they wont waive them for you, then I would personally deliver elsewhere. I have had nothing but trouble with her office staff being rude and unprofessional. I would not deliver with her or CPMC.
I experienced other dr's in cedar park (pediatricians)coming up with oddball fees that just weren't kosher. I fought with one office about them and ended up paying and finding a dr that I thought did good business as well as good medicine. Unfortunately, they can do this kind of stuff and the only thing you can do after talking with them and being reasonable is contact the licensing board.
