A La Mesa painter called NBC 7 Responds after he said he was double billed for blood work testing his insurance provider already paid for.
Bruce Johnston has an eye for detail. His eyes are usually on his oil paintings but lately there’s been a distraction.
Last year, Bruce had to go for a routine blood test at the Quest Diagnostics blood testing center. With his co-pay, the test usually costs between $12 and $14.
“I get a bill from Quest Diagnostics in June, 2016 for over $700,” Bruce said.
Bruce said that didn’t make sense, he only pays a deductible for blood work and never pays a bill of $700 or more.
Bruce called his insurance company, Anthem Blue Cross, and a representative told him Anthem paid his bill in October 2015.
“They had told me Quest had double billed for the same lab work,” Bruce said.
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Bruce called Quest Diagnostics and representatives there promised to straighten out the error. A month later, Bruce received another bill for over $700.
“I’m 100% right and it just irritates me that people can’t listen,” Bruce said.
NBC 7 Responds listened and reached out to both companies. Both Anthem Blue Cross and Quest Diagnostics reviewed Bruce’s $700 bill.
After forwarding Quest Diagnostics Bruce’s Explanation of Benefits from Anthem Blue Cross, proving the bill had in fact been paid by his insurance, Bruce received a new bill for just his deductible of $12.
“I’m living on social security and my artwork, $700 is a lot to me,” Bruce said.
