Advice needed on unique "fees"

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Advice needed on unique "fees"
2
Sun, 03-26-2006 - 10:27pm
Hi to all. I have a question about unique fees--not just from banks, but from offices, other bills, etc. Anyone experience a "processing fee?" For example, with the one medical bill, the office charged a "processing fee" of $5.00 to fax copies of the bill in question to rebill the insurance company (each time). Is this normal and customary charges? Thanks. WHiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 6:21am

I'm not sure how normal that is. Usually, if I'm charged a fee, I'm alerted to it ahead of time. For example, my car insurance charges an extra $3.00 if you pay your bill monthly instead of all at once. My OB/GYN office had me sign a form stating that I understood I'd be charged an additional $5.00 for filing my claim with insurance. This gave me the opportunity to switch to a doctor that doesn't charge this fee. You might be able to fight this. They're not huge fees, but they can add up over time.

Pat :-D

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 11:38pm
HI, Pat. I do appreciate the info on those "hidden" fees. I honestly didnt realize it could add up over time--$5.00 for faxing, $3.00 for filing, copying, rebilling, etc. I guess it is part of doing business (cost of paper, faxes, copying, xeroxing, etc.), but am definitely going to question what those fees are for. On the plus side, I did get about 10% knocked off the hospital bill. Whiz.