Charge to write an Rx?

[wel52]

I just had a patient/customer come in who has been coming to me for years, tell me that the MD, who just wrote her Rx, charged her $35 for writing her Rx. If she bought her glasses there, she would get a refund/credit for the amount...I believe that to be illegal...comments?

[specti-wolf]

Either the patient is nuts..... or the doctor is nuts....... is it illegal to be nuts? I think they passed a federal law about that a coupla years ago.

(About being nuts.)

I wish I knew how to do the popcorn face.

[HarryChiling]

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...16cfr456.3.pdf

(c) Charge the patient any fee in addition
to the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s
examination fee as a condition
to releasing the prescription to
the patient. Provided: An ophthalmologist
or optometrist may charge an additional
fee for verifying ophthalmic
goods dispensed by another seller when
the additional fee is imposed at the
time the verification is performed; or

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[specti-wolf]

Harry, I think you should quote all of 456.2.

[Ginster]

Do You think that maybe the Pt. was told that if she baught her glasses there they would refund her the refraction fee? many years ago I worked for a place that offered that. I'm going back 20 years. :)

[orangezero]

I've seen places around me offer the whole exam fee credited toward glasses purchase, and advertise it on the radio and television.

I doubt an office would charge that amount simply to write it out... but who knows. More likely that the office charges were poorly explained to her, or she just forgot.

[wel52]

I've seen places around me offer the whole exam fee credited toward glasses purchase, and advertise it on the radio and television.

I doubt an office would charge that amount simply to write it out... but who knows. More likely that the office charges were poorly explained to her, or she just forgot.

I think you're right...although, she was not a happy camper...(I did discount her glasses for the said amount)

[braheem24]

I just had a patient/customer come in who has been coming to me for years, tell me that the MD, who just wrote her Rx, charged her $35 for writing her Rx. If she bought her glasses there, she would get a refund/credit for the amount...I believe that to be illegal...comments?

Perfectly legal, patient was charged for a refraction and was offered a $35.00 discount on thier glasses. Happens everyday at most ophthalmologist offices with an optical.

[hcjilson]

Perfectly legal, patient was charged for a refraction and was offered a $35.00 discount on thier glasses. Happens everyday at most ophthalmologist offices with an optical.

That blanket statement is not true!

[For-Life]

Perfectly legal, patient was charged for a refraction and was offered a $35.00 discount on thier glasses. Happens everyday at most ophthalmologist offices with an optical.

Was she charged $35 for the exam or an additional $35 to write out the RX? It sounds like the latter and therefore is not legal.

[braheem24]

That blanket statement is not true!

Most ophthalmologists charge for a refraction.

Most ophthalmologists were shy to do this at the beginning since they've never charged anyone but medicare.

Most ophthalmologists offered incentinves for patients purchasing glasses at thier optical to compensate for the new out of pocket expense.

If the patient was charged for a refraction and then charged to have the refraction written on an rx, then we're talking about something else.

[hcjilson]

Most ophthalmologists charge for a refraction.

Agreed! And why not, its what they do!

Most ophthalmologists were shy to do this at the beginning since they've never charged anyone but medicare.

Not true! Ophthalmologists are no shyer than any other business people. Ophthalmologists have been charging for refractions since the beginning. It was medicare who diferentiated the refraction, taking it outside the ageis of an examination.

Most ophthalmologists offered incentinves for patients purchasing glasses at thier optical to compensate for the new out of pocket expense.

1. Most ophthalmologists don't dispense eyeware.
2. Of those who do, many sublet the space to independants. I practice in
that scenario. There are whole companies who do this as well.
3. Most ophthalmologists are concerned with the appearance of a conflict
of interest in regard to the sale of spectacles. They go overboard in
communicating that the patient is free to purchase eyewear wherever
they want. It would violate ethics to offer a "discount" on any
professional service as an incentive to purchase eyewear at their place.

If the patient was charged for a refraction and then charged to have the refraction written on an rx, then we're talking about something else.

Agreed!