Patients across Arizona are finding themselves at the center of a billing controversy with SimonMed Imaging, an outpatient medical imaging provider. Reports have surfaced involving customers being overcharged and forced to navigate a tedious refund process. In certain cases, patients, like one named Ina, who expected to pay a minimal amount after meeting her deductible, were hit with fees exceeding $150. A statement from SimonMed claims they provide "price transparency based on estimates before their appointment," putting the onus largely on the accuracy of information provided by several parties including the patient and insurance provider.
Inquiries and complaints about SimonMed's billing practices continue to pile up, with the latest revelations coming from a former employee. Rhonda Hannah, who worked at SimonMed for over a year, has voiced her disapproval of their practices, saying that she "just do not agree with the way they practice there at all." According to an interview with ABC15, Hannah emphasis placed on collecting even small overdue amounts from patients, citing a time where she had to call a patient over an $11 discrepancy.
Patients who have experienced billing inaccuracies have found themselves embroiled in a battle for refunds, often taking months to resolve. These ordeals seem sprawling, with multiple patients recounting similar experiences of upfront demands for cash payments and subsequent struggles for reimbursement. The severity of the issue has escalated to the point where one resolute patient, Ina, decided to call the imaging center daily in pursuit of her refund, a tactic which resulted in her eventually getting her money back after five months. "I will call you every day until I get my refund," Ina told ABC15.
Despite the backlash, SimonMed stands by their billing operations. In their response, the company emphasizes their commitment to transparency, their generous contributions to the community, notably providing millions in free imaging and offering mammograms at reduced costs during October. The company also points out the training and resources made available to employees to facilitate a "great patient experience." Even so, frustrations from the public have led to advice for prospective patients to meticulously review their insurance policies before medical visits, confirm financial obligations, and be diligent about keeping records of transactions.
As the matter unfolds, the Better Business Bureau has become a hub for complaints, with patterns indicating issues in addressing billing and refund inquiries. Although SimonMed has expressed their procedural stance.
