this is one of the best Topics we have on the Bord,
and a Important Theme for Everybody,
Robert!/Chiri,
I 2nd that it should be worth a Sticky.
the usual procedure I always found been:
you enter a Hospital/Doctor's office,
explain at the Counter/Reception, Before even seeing the Doctor Himself, what your health problem is,
they ask for your Insurance Card,
You hand the Card over,
they Call the Insurance Company and get their Codes,
Then You go to see the Doc.
around 2 years ago I had big pain in my right Arm/Shoulder,
the above procedure applied for the Consultation of the Doctor, still nobody knew what the problem would be nor what the further treatment would be.
so I waited my Turn to see the Doc, explained my problem/Pain, he did minor checks and ordered an X-Ray of the Shoulder, which been done right there in the next Room.
but before the X-Ray been done the secretary/Assistant been on the Phone again with the Insurer and got her Code for the X-Ray, the same as prior with the Consultation Fee, she informed me it is full covered, no extra cost left for Me.
after the X-Ray been done I waited a very short time to see the Doc again, he checked it and informed me about the Problem with the Liquid in my shoulder and told me it will be solved very quick by Injection of
%$@(I don't remember the name of the Medicine injected in my shoulder, sorry) and wrote me the Receipt to get the stuff at the attached Pharmacy.
before I went to the Pharmacy the Secre been on the Phone again and got a Code, for that she gave me a additional paper for the pharmacy where I did not pay the full Rate, part been covered by the Insurance.
back to the Doc, injection set, more Pain for the next 2hrs like promised by the Doctor, and since then all is fine.
the Point is,
for every additionally to the Consultation appearing treatment the Clinic/Doctor will contact the Insurer and get His/Her Code for the payment, and they inform You/the Patient right away about extra costs/coverage of the specific treatmen.
at least that is our past experience with consulting a Medic/Hospital.
keep the Info about that Theme coming Guys,
the good and the Bad,
this is almost more Important than asking the Weather for next X-mas.
Mike