Why Americans Are Drowning in Medical Debt

[WillowTree]

40. Your x-rays have almost always been read by a radiologist.......for the last 40 years or more.

It used to be that, in many instances, the bill from the hospital or radiology lab that took the x-ray would include the fee for the radiologist, who would be reimbused by the facility. Medicare, however, insists that the facility fee (for the room, equipment and technician who takes the x-ray) be billed separately from the radiologist's fee. That's why you're seeing a separate bill now.

The issue of "another city, an hour away" could be a matter of the images being forwarded digitally to the radiologist with whom the facility contracts (making distance irrelevant), or, more likely, the remote address is that of the billing company which provides billing and collections for the radiologist, who may or may not be local.

But if you're committed to believing that the radiologist is billing when s/he has provided no integral service, have at it. Doesn't change the facts.