After calling around to a few minor emergency care clinics in Tulsa, OK, and getting prices for each, I settled on St John Urgent Care Clinic on Utica in Tulsa. They seem to have a good name in the community - something that either I misjudged or is not true to begin with.
The facility gave me a price when I walked in the door, but then doubled it after the doctor (actually a PA) did nothing but give me a referral. When I complained, they said that the extra charge was for a "first time visit." But they knew that beforehand, but didn't tell me about it until after I signed a statement saying that I would pay for any amount over the initial fee.
I don't mind paying for services, but they should have told me about any mandatory standard charges that would be added to my bill. I call that bait and switch. I can't compare services if I can't get good information about how much it will cost.
The people at the facility told me that there's nothing that they could do about the cost, and that I need to contact billing. The billing people told me that they couldn't do anything, and that I needed to talk to the people at the facility about the charge. Wow.
We don't ususally have a lot of choices when it comes to health care. The system is set up for those with insurance, not those without. Before signing anything, make sure to ask if there are any more mandatory non-treatment related charges that you will be responsible for.
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