r/HealthInsurance • u/Tough_Cauliflower767 • Apr 11 '25

Claims/Providers 96k bill not covered

My wife and I are seeing a fertility doctor. The MD was adamant my wife needed surgery to clean out the fibroids and polyps in her uterus to improve conception. Prior to surgery, i confirmed over the phone that this was covered by my insurance. The fertility clinic said it's covered beside a $400 anesthiesia fee and good to go. Post surgery I got a bill for $3500 because apparently not everytning was covered. I reached out to the clinic and they don't know why it was denied. I sent an appeal to bluecross after that. Just got a notice in the mail that the appeal was denied and we owe 96k!?!?

It's after hours but I will follow up with them tomorrow. Praying this is a mistake. I feel like this is a he said she said with the insurance coverage. How can they tell me it's covered and then send me bills. Am I liable. Who os at fault.
Thank you

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u/Tough_Cauliflower767 Apr 11 '25

I assume the process is to run a pre authorization to see what is covered. Doesn't the provider need to make the patient aware how much they will owe out of pocket if they choose to carry out the surgery? Either way, why would they tell me I'm fully covered if they didn't actually know the answer to that?

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u/HelpfulMaybeMama Apr 11 '25

"Fully covered" doesn't mean 100% paid by insurance. It's like "full coverage" on auto insurance. That's not an insurance term. You'll never find it in a policy document. But people use it, and if you ask 10 people what it means, you'll get 8 or 9 different responses. None of them match up to an insurance policy (the contract).

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u/WadsRN Apr 15 '25

Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to check with your insurance company about what is covered.

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u/HelpfulMaybeMama Apr 15 '25

100%. And most people ask the provider, assume it's covered (at 100%, of course), or don't ask at all until they receive the bill.