Have a little rant to share. When I went to the walk in clinic today, at the end of the registration process, the receptionist said "it looks like you have a $20 copay, would you like to take care of it today?". Now, I know I know. I'm getting a service, payment is expected at that time, etc etc. But I usually always just have them bill me, and there's never been an issue. I always pay my bills. As my foot is hurting so bad, I wasn't even thinking about it. I didn't even have my wallet or anything on me, hard enough to walk without my purse. So I told her to just bill me, please. Her expression changed completely, and she said "Well payment is expected at time of service. I will bill it today but remember to be prepared in the future to make your payments when you come in." I told her, don't worry, you'll get the money. I also told her that I go to the Kinross and Meijer clinics quite frequently and they never expect the copay up front, so it didn't even really cross my mind. I've even tried to pay my copay upfront at the Meijer one and they tell me I'm all set and will bill me. She cotinues, in her not so nice voice, to tell me that those clinics should be making me pay upfront as well and that it costs them money to send bills to people. I'm trying to walk away and sit down, and she just keeps going. It embarrassed me in front of the other patients in line. But none of that is even what bothered me the most. What really makes me mad is... When the person in line behind me went up to the window, her and the receptionist knew each other. At the end of her registration, her copay came to $35, more than mine, and the receptionist sweetly asked her "do you want to take care of it today or no? You don't have to pay it today, we can bill you." So. I guess if you're friends with the receptionist, you don't get to be berated and embarrassed by her about not being able to pay your copay upfront.
