My husband saw a orthopedic specialist for his lower back pain in Nov. 2014 (I attended this appointment with him). The P.A. recommended a variety of things, including a TENS unit by Empi. This unit was given to us at the end of his appointment. It wasn't until a month later when we got of Explaination of Benefits (EOB) that we were alerted to the fact that this item counted towards our deductible and that we'd owe $264 out-of-pocket. I immediately called the doctor's office and inquired about returning the unit. Never heard back from them. We got an actual bill from Empi in early Jan. 2015 (two-months later) showing we in fact owed $264. Tried calling Empi, but was routed to a voicemail and instructed to follow-up via email.
In hindsight we should have inquired about the cost of the unit, but at no point did anyone at the doctor's office alert us to the fact that if our insurance doesn't cover this device it could cost us $264. At the same time, shame on the doctor's office and Empi for less than transparent good faith business practices. I felt compelled to alert folks to this potential problem.
I will continue to remedy this issue with Empi per email, but it's ridiculus how non-transparent the healthcare system is. We consumers have to be VERY vigilent and share our experiences to alert others.
DJO Global Reviews
My husband saw a orthopedic specialist for his lower back pain in Nov. 2014 (I attended this appointment with him). The P.A. recommended a variety of things, including a TENS unit by Empi. This unit was given to us at the end of his appointment. It wasn't until a month later when we got of Explaination of Benefits (EOB) that we were alerted to the fact that this item counted towards our deductible and that we'd owe $264 out-of-pocket. I immediately called the doctor's office and inquired about returning the unit. Never heard back from them. We got an actual bill from Empi in early Jan. 2015 (two-months later) showing we in fact owed $264. Tried calling Empi, but was routed to a voicemail and instructed to follow-up via email.
In hindsight we should have inquired about the cost of the unit, but at no point did anyone at the doctor's office alert us to the fact that if our insurance doesn't cover this device it could cost us $264. At the same time, shame on the doctor's office and Empi for less than transparent good faith business practices. I felt compelled to alert folks to this potential problem.
I will continue to remedy this issue with Empi per email, but it's ridiculus how non-transparent the healthcare system is. We consumers have to be VERY vigilent and share our experiences to alert others.