Alexander Stessin

Outstanding professional, caring, compassionate, and humble. . .The Best!
Jan 12th, 2019

I saw Dr. Alexander Stessin of Stony Brook Radiation Oncology in January 2018. I went because I was told by a surgeon at Stony Brook that I should speak to a radiation oncologist to see if I needed radiation treatments. My issue is not with the doctor himself, but rather the billing department. One month after my visit I received a bill for $335.00 (billed as Office Consult L4). This was unexpected. I was anticipating a $35 co-pay instead, as per usual if I see a specialist in my network. Dr. Stessin is billed as part of the Cancer Team at Stony Brook, as seen in multiple Stony Brook web pages. First I called SBRO and they transferred me to the billing dept. I was told that I was being billed as an outpatient. What? I then conferenced with SBRO secretary and my insurance co. (who asked if the code could accurately reflect a "New Patient Office Visit"). I was told they would resubmit my bill to the billing department, and the bill would be put on hold until that time. Six months later I get the same bill, no explanation. Again called my ins. co., they speak to SBRO who said I was being billed as an outpatient because SBRO is attached to the hospital (physically). This was being done even thought the Stony Brook website has Dr. Stessin with the same address as the breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and the plastic surgeon. My insurance company has that address listed for him as well. I was told they would re-bill this correctly as an office visit, NOT an outpatient. I was never even treated by this doctor, I only saw him for a recommended consultation! In October I received the same exact bill, again no explanation. I spoke with my ins co on November 7. She spoke to SBRO staff member who would only say that their billers told her that this was the only way my visit could be billed, they had no other option. That was not true. Less than a week later I received a letter from a debt collector regarding this bill. I am infuriated. There was no reason for this to be billed as an Office Consult L4. It should be correctly billed as a "New Patient Office Visit L4". The incorrect coding would cause me to pay $335 instead of my $35 co-pay.
Oct 3rd, 2018