<prompt> Human: So long story semi-short. My GP referred me to see a specialist about an issue last October. I was on a silver-tier Obamacare plan, and had not yet met the deductible...so this visit would be all out of pocket. The specialist she originally referred to was not covered on my plan. So I did some research, and found another specialist within the same hospital system who is covered. I asked my GP if the doctor I found was qualified to handle this specific issue. She said he was. I looked on his personal page on the hospital website, and my issue was listed under his competencies. When I called his office to schedule the appointment, I confirmed with the scheduling person that he in fact handles this issue...I was assured he does.So the date of the appointment comes and I arrive 15 minutes early. I waited a total of 3 hours past my scheduled time between the waiting room and in the exam room. Finally the doctor walks in. He sits down, looks at my chart, and all he basically tells me is hes not sure how to handle this, and I should see another specialist who is better qualified who happens to be the one originally referred by my GP. He sticks a finger up my bum to check my prostate my GP could have done this. Then leaves. Total time - 5-10 minutes. 2 months later I receive a bill in the mail for 365. I was pretty shocked. I couldnt believe I was billed that much just to be referred to another doctor. Im especially pissed because I was told by 3 different sources within their own hospital system, including his office, that he could handle this. I specifically told my GP I couldnt afford to waste this appointment asked how to get the most out of it because it would be out of pocket. I even asked her to prescribe whatever tests shed think the specialist would order ahead of time, so I could have them ready when I went there. That way I wouldnt waste an appointment just to be told we need to run some tests.So I call the hospital billing department to explain the situation and ask about a reduction...they get very defensive and tell me theres nothing they can do. I called the specialists office, and the billing assistant on staff told me there was nothing they could do. Since I walked in the door, I would be billed as a new patient...and thats what it costs. I told her I understood that, but I was billed for a service I didnt receive in full. Its like if I were to take my car to a body shop, and they tell me they cant fix this issue, and then hands me a bill for 365I asked if there was a patient advocate or someone with the hospital I could talk to, and they tell me there isnt. This is one of the largest and highest rated hospital systems in the country btw. Wondering if anybody has any other suggestions here. Im ok with paying something, but 365 is just insane for the service provided. I still need to pay for the visit with the specialist who can handle it.TL;DR Being billed 365 for an appointment where the doctor didnt do anything.Assistant: Yes this is a common issue with doctors offices and is not limited to specialists. For example, GPs will sometimes try to get around the fact that Obamacare guarantees a free annual preventative care visit every year, by classifying your visit as a new patient visit instead of an annual checkup. My recommendation is to iron out how your visit will be billed, by talking with the front desk staff at your appointment BEFORE you see the doctor. Find out exactly how they plan to bill you for the visit. Oftentimes, they will draw up the bill before the doctor even sees you. Insist that they wait until afterward. I have straight up walked out of appointments that I scheduled months in advance, because the front desk staff couldnt promise me that I would be billed a certain amount for a certain procedure. Im not interested in risking hundreds of dollars in medical bills!Also, in the future, use the original referrals given to you by your GP. Dont try to outsmart the system by going to Dr. Google. What a doctor is competent in and what they prefer to specialize in are completely different things. Doctors websites are also notoriously unreliable and often out of date. It may also be the case that a doctor is competent in a certain issue, but during your visit he or she discovers that your particular strain of that issue is outside their zone of expertise. So they issue you a referral anyway.Human: I actually did ask for an estimate of what it would cost how they would bill before I went in. They wouldnt tell me. All I got was we have no idea until the doctor codes your visit and we bill your insurer. I pressed, but they basically told me Im SOL. The preventative care I get at no cost other than a 10 copay and no deductible under the plan. Problem is that doesnt apply to specialists. The two options were apparently for him to bill me as a New Patient visit or a regular patient visit. The later would have been 200, which is still high for the service I received.Also, in the future, use the referrals given to you by your GP. Seriously. What did you expect when you went to a specialist you picked out yourself?He was in the same department, same hospital, same speciality its not something super rare or anything...and I made sure that she approved before I scheduled the appointment. He should have been qualified for this. The one she referred me to would have been double the cost.  <response>: Though the billing office is right, you can ask your physician to code visits as preventative. But this was a referral for a specific problem, so it IS appropriate to code as a new visit.Heres what I would do: I would request a copy of the doctors note as well as an explanation of benefits EOB that reflects the charge coded 9920x - for a new patient visit or 9922x for new consult. If all the doctor did was a rectal exam, but documented a more thorough physical exam heart, lungs, abdomen, etc etc, then you absolutely can contest the charge - Id start with the doctors office and add on that their website and office staff confirmed that your issue could be handled by them.If that gets you nowhere, Id go to the insurance company and say you were overbilled and provide the documentation that a lower level of service was provided. 