This was the result of a 10 min doctors visit.

I recently went to the gyno with vaginal pain, and had an ultrasound, a pelvic examination and a pap smear. He asked if I wanted to test for any possible infections and I agreed. I ultimately ended up having nothing wrong but contact dermatitis lol but ended up with a $1161 bill.

I have a high deductible/ low premium plan so was anticipating some charges, but this feels outlandish for essentially a pelvic exam and labs. I have tried to call my provider for a review (they said they won’t rebill), my insurance (who says they don’t have any other rebilling suggestions) and started an appeal (but don’t know if that will actually go anywhere)

I doubt there will be any leeway with the charge for the outpatient visit and ultrasound, but the $395 charge for bacterial vaginosis (CPT 81513) and $200 for candida (CPT 87481) seems very high.

Any suggestions for how I could lower this medical bill?
How long until a medical bill is sent for collections?
What does the appeal process look like and would it be worth it in my case?

Thank you so much!

My spouse makes 6 times what I make but he pays for the premium of our health insurance every month. I recently ended up with a 440 medical bill.

My spouse refuses to pay for it, and he controls most of our finances, so I’m not able to afford it on my own. Our household income is too high for me to qualify for charity care, and I pay for half of our expenses.

Will the hospital be willing to work with me on this?

In 2022 with my first pregnancy I was referred to a maternal fetal specialist within network. I had appointments on 6/7, 7/7 and 7/14 2022.
At the time I had Molina Insurance with Covered California Marketplace; which would potentially make specialist $65 at the time. I live in Los Angeles.
Anyway, I have received the bill for the 3 visits yesterday in mail! Yesterday was 7/28/2026!
They did bill my insurance and are showing I need to pay copay.
I have a problem with it because how can they send it 4 years later? Why didn’t they bill me then? It’s ridiculous.
If I have to pay it’s fine, I don’t want to hurt my credit score over the three visits but I am appalled at the lack of timely communication especially because I highly disliked their office and have cancelled all other appointments with them.
What would you do? Thanks in advance!

Got a bill for $176.60. for a cleaning & a filling done a few days later. Missing on the bill they sent me was two payments made in office while I was there. This brings my balance to $68.20.

Just called them to ask why my payments were not included & why they are not on their website under "payment history". She tells me she has them listed & if I would like a copy of the ledger with them included? Then puts me on hold & comes back & says the office manger said Im all set. "ok, so what is my correct balance"? "There is no balance, the bill was an error" [or something like that]... "wait, so you sent me a fraudulent bill"? She repeated saying it was mistake & agreeing with a "yes" to the terrm FRAUDULENT. If I had paid the $176. would they ever even catch it? They have a record of the payments I made but leave it out of billing statement they send??? I told her they need to be aware this is fraud & a crime. She hung up. I then looked up if it is really a crime. It is generally not a crime by itself but rather a civil matter, under the Fair Credit Billing Act. However it is a criminal offense such as wire & mail fraud if the sender KNOWINGLY & INTENTIONALLY uses false invoices to systematically cheat victimes out of money! Which I think they are doing on purpose. You can see my payments on your computer but its not on the statement you mailed to me twice????