Carbon Health

Beware, this practice charged an exam fee for a Covid test.

It was difficult to find an available appointment for a Covid test during the second week of January. Fortunately, Carbon Health Urgent Care had an opened San Marcos appointment for Monday the next day, January 10, 2022, and one for Thursday, January 13.

Yes, in early January, it was long lines at Cal State San Marcos walkup testing or long waits for clinic and drug store appointments. My wife and I grabbed these relatively early appointments; however, an early appointment became a BIG mistake.

I am the insurance holder, double coverage, so that I can write about my wife's experience. For the Monday Covid screening, an assistant took my wife's blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen level. My wife told the assistant that she only wants a Covid test.

The assistant replied that a doctor assistant will be right back to do a visit. Again, my wife told the assistant that she only wants a Covid test, no doctor visit.

After 15 minutes, a doctor assistant came, checked my wife's heart, asked questions about her symptoms, and said an assistant will be right back with the Covid test. The doctor assistant visit WITHOUT my wife's consent lasted 3 minutes total.

Learning of Carbon's business practices, I canceled my appointment.

On January 20, my wife inquired Carbon about the visit and charges.

The following day, January 21, Sharina Manalili, a Carbon representative replied, "I am only seeing a covid test visit and there was no physical exam done. However our clinic does perform vitals before being swabbed and talking to the clinician.

I also checked your bill and it was only for a Covid test and no physical exam charges."

I assumed an exam had been settled. However, my wife just surprisingly received a January 31, 2022 Medicare Summary Notice that lists, "New patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-44 minutes, Amount Provider Charged $400.00, Approved Amount $103.77, Amount Paid $103.77."

Wow!

Even though my wife and I did not directly pay the $400.00 Carbon charge or even the $103.77 approved charge, my wife and I believe Medicare or insurance should not pay for a dubious exam without a patient's consent; my wife has demanded that Carbon Health return the $103.77 to the payer but without success.

Please be CAREFUL with Carbon Health