2 days ago
When an Eyelash Pluck Is Unexpectedly Billed as a Surgical Procedure
Q: During a routine visit to the eye doctor, he noticed an eyelash on my bottom eyelid appeared to be poking my eye and said he'd remove it. When the bill came, it was listed as 'surgery.' The ophthalmologist's office billed my insurer for $335, and the doctor's office said I owed them $200. Is this possible — what are my rights?
— Reese Morgenstern, 28, Los Angeles
A: As with buying a car, paying college tuition, and yes, health care, customers rarely pay the sticker price. The true price you end up paying becomes a game, and it's up to you to figure it out. Will you have the endurance to make all the requisite calls? Will you relent and just pay what you're told? Who will win? Capitalism!
In this case, Mr. Morgenstern wanted to understand how a regular eye checkup — albeit, one inside the behemoth University of California, Los Angeles health system — and a casual mention of a wayward eyelash could cost hundreds of dollars out of pocket. The office was in network. His co-payment was $30. Was there any way out of a charge within a health care system where dabs of skin glue cost more than $1,500 and high-tech bandages can reach millions?
Here's how it happened: The doctor, kind and pleasant, noticed Mr. Morgenstern had a stray lash grazing his eye and said he'd remove it. 'OK,' Mr. Morgenstern said.
Using what Mr. Morgenstern said looked like a pair of drugstore tweezers, the doctor plucked the lash. He left shortly after.
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