what's on a medical bill for dependent?
January 26, 2011 8:43 PM   Subscribe

What information is listed on a Kaiser Permanente medical bill sent to the plan holder when the fees were for a dependent?

Due to a series of errors, Kaiser billed my parents for some medications I was prescribed. I am over 18 but listed as a dependent. I did not want my parents to know about these medications. What information is on the bill? Does it show what medication name? I have only this information, and I cannot contact my parents nor the people at Kaiser responsible for billing until tomorrow (I already tried). I would like to know before then so I can stop panicking about this tonight. Does the dependent have any sort of privacy in this case? I'm in California if this makes a difference. Thanks!
posted by ribboncake to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)
 
I have Blue Shield, not Kaiser, but the medical bills I get from them regarding my wife do sometimes list individual medications on them. They look mostly unintelligible to me, though, so it's entirely possible your parents wont know what you've been prescribed.

Example Bill:

Tx/Prph/Dx Adl Seq Ivp New Drug [doctor's name] $108.00
Ther/Proph/Diag IV Inf, Init [doctor's name] $320.00
Hydrocortisone Ss To 100 Mg [doctor's name] $13.00
Na Ferric Gluconate Complex [doctor's name] $230.00
Blue Shield PPO Payment PAY LINES: 1-4 (AMT PD: $507.05 + AMT ADJ: $148.95) -$656.00
Due $0.00

Also, sometimes they just say "Co-Pay: $15" regardless of how much was done or how much it should have cost, and I don't know how they choose when to send either.

I also don't know why none of the numbers add up to the amount paid, but as long as the balance due is $0, I don't complain.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 9:35 PM on January 26, 2011


I have seen a few Kaiser bills, but can't remember specifics.
I do remember names of doctors listed, but not their specialties.
So medications may be obscured under 'pharmacy' or something like that.
But, as you are planning to do, you will have to call the billing office and get a copy of it to be sure.
If your parents have not received/opened the bill yet, can you intercept it, or ask them not to open it?
posted by SLC Mom at 9:50 PM on January 26, 2011


In Oregon so can't speak to California rules, but none of my prescriptions show on my Explanation of Benefits or bill. I do pay the co-pay in full each time. From your question I'm not sure if you paid the co-pays or not. On THOSE receipts it also just lists "Prescription".

Again, this is an employer plan and I'm the main beneficiary so all the caveats apply.
posted by ..ooOOoo....ooOOoo.. at 10:42 PM on January 26, 2011


« Older Is it realistic to attempt to have a root canal...   |   To Stick Or Not To Stick Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.