Medical Bills Problems
Throwing a medical bill in the garbage or ignoring it is the worst thing you can do. Deal with a problematic bill immediately or it can lead to a collection agency disaster.
Investigate or appeal an apparent mistake. Ask for an itemized bill where hospital charges are listed in detail. Billing is all about using the right code, if the medical facility used the wrong code, your insurance company might not pay, but would have, if the right code was used. Also make sure you are being charged for procedures that were actually performed on you.
Use a facility and ?a doctor that's in your network or you might acquire extra charges.
If you find your bill to be correct, set up a payment plan. You might have to prove what your income is, but the payments will be reasonable and there's no interest,(usually).
Preventing charges.
Supplies are very expensive. People have seen a $10.00 charge for a diaper in a nursery, so bring your own! One patient was charged $119.00 for an egg-crate pad they needed for required support in their bed. If you end up needing regular supplies, have a family member get it from a drugstore or bring it from home.
Keep track of the time.Some charges, like those for time in the operating room, are determined by the minute. Have a family member or friend note when you go into and come out of surgery. ORs may cost $200.00 per minute, so if you are billed for 2 hours but your family member or friend knows you came out after just 1 hour, that can save you thousands of dollars. Sometimes patients get stuck in the recovery room, another area where per minute charges are used, simply because nobody is available to take them to their regular room.
Where to get help
The U.S. department of Health & Human Services
There is a map of the states on their website that can direct people to agencies, including state insurance departments and local nonprofits, that can help people find health coverage, file appeals and learn about other issues.
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/consumer-assistance-program
Medical Billing Advocates of America
This is a national network of advocates who help patients deal with overcharges and insurance company underpayments. Rates vary by case, averaging 35% of savings obtained.
http://www.billadvocates.com/
Patient Advocate Foundation
This agency offers support to patients who have a chronic, life threatening or debilitating illness.
http://www.patientadvocate.org/
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness
They provide legal information, advice and counseling for patients with chronic conditions.
Check links underadvocacyforpatients.
Investigate or appeal an apparent mistake. Ask for an itemized bill where hospital charges are listed in detail. Billing is all about using the right code, if the medical facility used the wrong code, your insurance company might not pay, but would have, if the right code was used. Also make sure you are being charged for procedures that were actually performed on you.
Use a facility and ?a doctor that's in your network or you might acquire extra charges.
If you find your bill to be correct, set up a payment plan. You might have to prove what your income is, but the payments will be reasonable and there's no interest,(usually).
Preventing charges.
Supplies are very expensive. People have seen a $10.00 charge for a diaper in a nursery, so bring your own! One patient was charged $119.00 for an egg-crate pad they needed for required support in their bed. If you end up needing regular supplies, have a family member get it from a drugstore or bring it from home.
Keep track of the time.Some charges, like those for time in the operating room, are determined by the minute. Have a family member or friend note when you go into and come out of surgery. ORs may cost $200.00 per minute, so if you are billed for 2 hours but your family member or friend knows you came out after just 1 hour, that can save you thousands of dollars. Sometimes patients get stuck in the recovery room, another area where per minute charges are used, simply because nobody is available to take them to their regular room.
Where to get help
The U.S. department of Health & Human Services
There is a map of the states on their website that can direct people to agencies, including state insurance departments and local nonprofits, that can help people find health coverage, file appeals and learn about other issues.
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/consumer-assistance-program
Medical Billing Advocates of America
This is a national network of advocates who help patients deal with overcharges and insurance company underpayments. Rates vary by case, averaging 35% of savings obtained.
http://www.billadvocates.com/
Patient Advocate Foundation
This agency offers support to patients who have a chronic, life threatening or debilitating illness.
http://www.patientadvocate.org/
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness
They provide legal information, advice and counseling for patients with chronic conditions.
Check links underadvocacyforpatients.
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