Disgraceful – Patient blindsided by $17,850 urine test that insurer said was worth $100 | Albuquerque Journal

Sunset’s billings “are in line with the charges of competing out-of-network labs in the geographical area,” lab attorney Justo Mendez said in an emailed statement.

So why did the doctor send lab work to an out of network testing facility? There’s a special place in hell for doctors and practices such as this. Houston anesthesiologist Dr. Phillip Phan seems to be the common denominator in this disgraceful scheme.

Sunset Labs has an “F” rating with the Houston Better Business Bureau, which on its website posts an August 2017 complaint from a patient charged $16,150 for a urine test.

“This is not covered under my health insurance so I am expected to pay this excessive bill,” the complaint reads.

In two lawsuits filed in 2015, three doctors seeking to quit working at pain clinics operated by Phan accused the facilities of improper billing practices, including unnecessary urine testing. The doctors said they feared losing their medical licenses unless they severed their ties.

Once again, disgraceful.