DEAR DR. GOTT: I brought my eight year old to her pediatrician for a well visit. During the visit the doctor asked if she had been complaining of a sore throat. When I said no the doctor told me that my daughter’s throat was a little red and she had a faint viral rash on her back. She told me to keep an eye on her because she may be coming down with something. My daughter never developed any other symptoms.

When I received my insurance statement and bill, it showed that I had been billed for a well visit and a sick visit. When I called to point this out, I was told that they were charging me for an appointment that I hadn’t made. I said it took all of 30 seconds for the doctor to say what she said to me. The doctor then told me that because my daughter had presented with these symptoms, she had to record it and bill a sick visit in addition to the well visit.
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