
Tru-skin dermatology
Fraudulent Practice and Billing
My PCP referred me to Dr. Robbins (Tru-Skin Dermatology, Round Rock, TX) for mole removals. I was told one would be shaved, the other two punched out, and that all the moles were benign. Upon arrival for the procedure, I was then told, by Dr. Robbins, that he was now uncomfortable punching out one of those two moles and instead of shaving the small freckle/mole, he would be punching it out instead. The doctor did not even completely remove the other mole that was punched out. I requested a quote before the mole removals and paid in full upfront. I was told the payment was inclusive of the entire procedure. Four months later I received a bill and upon calling their office to dispute, was told by their billing department that the lady who gave me the quote was not a "fortune teller" and that I still owed the bill. I reluctantly paid the bill.
Six months later I then received a bill from Pathology Associates that I was not expecting. I was never told that the tissue would be sent for pathology testing nor that I would be receiving a bill. I never authorized these services. Also, I never received a pathology report from Dr. Robbins or the pathology company with any results. I called to dispute the pathology bill and spoke with Grace who told me she would refer to the "back office for review and investigation". I requested a copy of the documents where I authorized or was notified of these services. Grace indicated their office did not have any such documentation. I requested a callback with their back-office explanation and Grace told me they don't call people and I would just have to call back sometime in the future.
This is fraudulent practice and billing and will be escalated and reported.