Surgery Center of Alaska employees Valencia and Nancy in the billing department only care about…read moremoney and do not care about people.
I wanted to share my experience, hoping that this will help other people not get bullied into paying bills upfront. If you have insurance, which I do, you are not obligated to pay anything except for your deductible. I had unexpected surgery, and it got scheduled at the Surgery Center of Anchorage. I received a call from Nancy in the billing department regarding going over my insurance and payment. She told me the overall total was around $11,000. She then mentioned that I needed to pay the remainder of my deductible, $1,102.58. Then, I needed an additional $2,100.42 for what my insurance does not cover. Let me begin with that, and she had her math right. I told her that my responsibility is just my deductible, and then you can invoice me. I do not pay anything without knowing what I paid for and have a track record. I know my insurance. It is a $1500 deductible with a $3,500 max out of pocket and 80/20. However, this is not a typical guideline for a medical practice to pay upfront.
On top of that, she refused to give me an invoice. Why would I hand anyone money blindly with no invoice before the surgery? I called my insurance, and they told me exactly what I thought they would and said I am only responsible for my deductible at this time if they ask for a collection. They are not following the guidelines that they are supposed to. I then called my PCP and explained the issue. She said to try and call back and speak to a manager. If they would not accept just my deductible, we can cancel the surgery with them and schedule it at Alaska Regional (Keep in mind that my surgery was one hour away now). I called back and asked to speak to a manager, waited on hold for almost 10 minutes, and then Valencia Elsberry picked up. I introduced myself and explained the situation and my conversation with Nancy.
I also explained that I spoke to my insurance about how I am only responsible for my deductible at this time, and it is required to have an invoice. Valencia's said, "Well, that sounds nice, but that is not how it works here." I was so shocked by her choice of words and her delivery. Highly unprofessional and should not be in a manager role. I understand that they are a private practice, but that does not change that you still need to follow guidelines, and where is the care? Also, I wanted to point out this was my first surgery, and it came a little unexpectedly. They did nothing but stress me out the entire time. How are they in business if this is how they treat people? Looking at the other reviews, I am not the only one with the same experience. So.... that alone shows you this is an ongoing problem. Nancy and Valencia need to be held accountable for treating people and manipulating and bullying people into getting them to pay everything up front, even with insurance.
With that said, I called back my PCP, and they canceled it at the Surgery Center of Alaska and scheduled me at Alaska Regional the same day. Alaska regional asked for my insurance information, and that was it! It was simple, stress-free, welcoming, and they took great care of me. I am so glad I stood up and switched. The insurance will take care of everything, and then I will receive an invoice for then I will be responsible for paying. That is the guideline, period.
Surgery Center of Alaska only cares about money and does not care about people. However, they ended up losing $11,000. Interesting how that worked out. I have reported this company and hope they get a wide awakening, start caring for people and get a new entire team in the billing department.
To anyone out there reading this, thinking about going here, I want you to remember you have the choice on where you go. Also, ALWAYS call your insurance and follow what the guidelines are. Although your insurance company will steer you in the right direction, they will tell you what other places they work. Remember, you have options, and you do not have to go here!
If you are going to have surgery, you deserve to be cared for, taken care of, and not have this stress.
YOU DESERVE BETTER!
Good luck to you all,
Alyssa