Is it ethical for a doctor to request payment up front?

Would you say that if your doctor was asking for an upfront deposit before a surgery is commiting an unethical act? Should he have waited for my insurance to pay first and after the surgery?

I'd say it's unethical to say the least...eg, if you have insurance, that's what it is for...

It's unusual, but I wouldn't say it's unethical unless it's an emergency situation.

Well it was kind of an emergency. My son was having ear infections and serious ones so he needed his tubes put in. I let the office know my deductible was $5000 and that I would probably pay most before the insurance did. I was wondering what ballpark I'd end up with but the billing receptionist wouldn't even give me a ballpark. I was panicked at how big the bill was going to be. It turned out my insurance bargained very well with them. I ended up with $279 owed to him for tubes and $25 more for an adenoidectomy (removal of adenoids). I mostly owe the hospital for emergency care a day before surgery and the hospital bill plus anesthesia. I owe the hospital way more than this doctor. I didn't have to pay the hospital anything before. Just this doctor told his staff to get a deposit first after knowing my insurance situation. I have found a part time, Thank You God, so I can deal with payment of these bills.

I don't think it's unethical.
The doctor isn't running a charity, and a doctor is under no obligation to help people if he or she suspects a patient can't pay.

Hence the job I just obtained to pay such medical bills. But I guess too many people get away with not paying. I still think he wasn't in the right to charge before services were rendered. No charity requested. I think you missed the point.