Peter Drier, 37, from New York City, underwent surgery for herniated discs in December and was surprised when his medical bill showed an additional $117,000 as a fee for an assistant surgeon who he claims he never met.

Drier recalled signing consent forms prior to the three-hour surgery. He was informed by the bank manager that his medical bill covers $56,000 for the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, $4,300 for the anesthesiologist and $133,000 for the orthopedist. But, to his surprise, he saw an additional $117,000 tacked on as a medical fee for an assistant surgeon from Queens.

It is a common medical practice that drive-by doctors, assistants, consultants and other hospital staffs are being billed to the patients. Unfortunately, this decision does not require pre-approval from the patient. Patients usually learn about these additional charges when the bill arrives.

According to the Guardian LV, the consent forms that Drier signed included a statement: "I agree to pay for all services rendered to me without regard to benefit limitations that may be imposed by any insurance carrier, unless prohibited by law or contract." Drier contested this statement.

"I thought I understand the risks," Drier told the New York Times. "But this was just so wrong - I had no choice and no negotiating power."

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Drier's medical insurance company, on the other hand, told the Guardian LV that they are acknowledging that the additional $117,000 was not his fault, and he should not be paying for it.

Drier's experience is nothing new to the medical industry. In fact, there have been lawsuits filed in recent years related to this practice and have become the top complaint in the New York state agency.

"This has gotten really bad, and it's wrong," said Louisiana insurance commissioner James J. Donelon to the New York Times. "But when you try to address it as a policy maker, you run into a hornet's nest of financial interests."

Dr. Nathaniel L. Tindel, the primary surgeon, agreed to lower his fee to $6,200, but the assistant surgeon who charged $117,000 identified to be Dr. Harrison T. Mu has not responded yet on the matter.