Don’t allow specialty care doctors to charge existing patients as new patients

[valeriehenderson]

I went to the dermatologist, and they charged me as a new patient ($474 office visit charge) because I haven’t been seen in 3 years even though I am an existing patient ($150 office visit charge). What’s the point of establishing yourself as a patient if they charge you as a “new patient”? I was not told to follow up as needed because my issue was resolved at the time. I was never told I would be charged as a new patient if I didn’t return in 3 years. The most annoying part is that I filled out all my paperwork online, so my visit required no additional office visit time, and my appointment was no different than the visits I had 3 years ago, with a 15-minute quick appointment. We should not allow any specialty care doctors to charge these outrageous fees for no reason.