Can a doctor bill for procedure they did not do but had coverage for?

In general, a doctor cannot bill for a procedure that they did not perform, even if the patient had coverage for it. This is considered fraudulent billing and can have serious legal consequences.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if a doctor oversees a procedure that is performed by another healthcare professional, they may be able to bill for the procedure even if they did not actually perform it. Additionally, some doctors may have a billing arrangement with another provider that allows them to bill for procedures that are performed by that provider.

However, these exceptions are rare. In most cases, a doctor can only bill for procedures that they personally performed. If you believe that you have been billed for a procedure that you did not receive, you should contact your insurance company or the doctor's office to resolve the issue.