Two weeks ago my ten-year-old son's temperature shot to nearly
104 degrees while at school. The school nurse called. I immediately
went to the school, got my son and headed for Plum Creek Medical.
My son had not been treated there, though other members of our
family have.
We did not have an appointment, of course. But, the reception
staff handed me the requisite stack of forms and said my son could
be seen by a doctor shortly. We probably waited a half hour.
My son was briefly examined by Dr. Jack England in an entirely
routine manner. Dr. England quickly surmised my son was stricken
with the flu running quite rampant among school children. A flu
culture was conducted. A prescription for Tamiflu was written. A
dose of Advil was administered.
Today I received a copy of the charges for my son's unscheduled
visit to Plum Creek Medical. Here is how the total whopping charge
of $298.00 breaks down:
New patient charge: $154.00
"Urgent care" visit: $90.00
Flu culture $54.00
I called Plum Creek Medical to make certain there was no
mistake. No, I was told by a billing representative. No
mistake.
Since these charges seem out of line, I called other medical
facilities in the area to get prices. I presented exactly the
scenario of my son's visit to Plum Creek Medical. I asked how much
an office visit would be for a sick ten-year-old boy with no
appointment who had never before been a patient.
Founders Family Medical in Castle Rock quoted $56. Extra charges
could be incurred, of course, for lab fees, should lab work be
necessary. No extra charges for being a new patient and no tacked
on charges for being a walk-in, though they encourage
appointments.
Willard Family Practice at the intersection of Arapahoe Road and
Jordan quoted $76 for the office visit, which includes all new
patient fees, extra for lab and no extra charges for being a
walk-in, though they encourage appointments.
I am wondering. Does Plum Creek Medical's $154.00 charge for a
"new patient" visit that involved no extra or special services of
any sort and $90 charge for being a walk-in (deemed urgent care)
seem excessive to anyone but me?
Though I have never price-shopped medical care providers before,
it sure seems like a good idea now.