Does this medical office practice sound ok to you?

My PCP referred me to a specialist, who saw me in July and prescribed some meds. That’s the only time I’ve been seen in the office, the only time I’ve met with the doctor.

Shortly afterward, her MA phoned me as a follow-up and said she’d call again in four weeks, which she did. The calls were brief, just a few minutes and not more than 10.

I received a bill for copayment after the first visit and paid it.

Meanwhile, each time the Rxs came up for refill, they weren’t simply authorized for refill. I’ve had to call the office each time and request them to phone refills into the pharmacy.

Yesterday I received a bill for copays on two more office visits. I’ve been to the office and seen the doctor only that one time in July. Those additional dates are the dates of the phone calls.

So it appears now that each time I need a refill, I have to talk to the MA, and then she charges the insurance company $250 for an office visit and I get billed again.

Is this a legitimate practice or the shape of things to come? It seems like a racket to me.