I had one video appointment with a Mayo Clinic specialist to get a one-off opinion on my treatment and I don't anticipate needing anything more from them. If I was uninsured or did not have out-of-network benefits, I would have gotten a self-pay discount. But I technically have out-of-network benefits but they have a completely separate deductible which I won't meet, despite meeting my max out of pocket on in-network care. So I'm essentially paying out of pocket without any adjustment. Which is stupid.
They billed $603 when the going rate seems to be $250-$300. They acknowledged that if I had told them up-front I was uninsured that I would have gotten a discount, but they refused to reprocess it that way, offering to lower it to $575. I told them I'd pay $104, bringing the balance below $500, making it unreportable to the credit agencies. She told me that was certainly an option and I made the payment.
Is there likely to be any unintended consequences? I don't really mind if I can't see them again. Am I right that this won't hurt my credit?
