Question:
Has anyone had to pay a professional to write a letter of medical necessity?

Has anyone heard of any of the professionals they are seeking letters of medical necessity from asking the patient to pay them to write the letter, or charging for the letter as they would a regular office visit when you pick it up? For example, if I ask my orthopedist or my gyno to write a letter of medical necessity, does this count as an office visit for them, even if all I do is show up and pick up the letter without seeing them? Have you heard of a medical office charging up to $25 for writing a letter of medical necessity if it was not charged as an office visit? Thank you!    — Shayna T. (posted on March 17, 2004)

March 17, 2004
No, I was never asked to pay. I actually wrote my own medical necessity letter, took it to my PCP and he reviewed it and signed it. Took alot less time out of his schedule which he appreciated. He actually said I did a pretty good job for not being in the medical field. If you want a copy, email me and I'll send you what I have. You may also want to do a diet history and have him sign that also. Kill two birds with one stone... Good Luck
   — Patty N.

March 17, 2004
I heard of one PCP who charged between 150 and 250 to write ANY letter for his patients. Unreal!
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 17, 2004
I paid for the letter it was a $20.00 fee but when you think about it I would of paid anything to be able to do this. All doctors are looking to make money but remember it is something that would be worth it. I had my mine on Oct 6 and I am down 80 pounds. So it is well worth it.
   — Rosemary L.

March 17, 2004
A couple of comments: First, you wouldn't expect a lawyer to write a letter for free, so it is not unreasonable for an MD to charge for this. Also, it might be fraudulent to charge for an office visit if he writes a letter and does no examination. (The visits have to be coded for the services performed. I don't think writing a letter of medical nesecessity would be reimbursible.) I do think the idea of writing a letter and giving it to your PCP is a good one. He may not just go ahead an sign it, like the other poster, but it will give him an idea of what you want included in the letter, and save him some time. Hope this helps!
   — koogy

March 18, 2004
I had my neurosurgeon, WL surgeon and Orthopedic surgeon write letters in support of my abdominoplasty. I was not charged but then again I am an ongoing patient and they have been paid for office visits here or there. I would have been ticked if they charged. Now if I wasn't a regular patient and hadn't seen them in years and wanted them to write one it would be legitimate for them to be reimbursed for their time.
   — zoedogcbr

March 21, 2004
Yes, my arthritis specialist charged $25 for my referral letter which I was happy to pay. A fee for a letter is not unusual. He wrote a note on a RX pad for free but charged for a formal letter. He faxed it to my surgeon the same day. I have no complaints.
   — Carolyn B.