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12 Mistakes you’re making with your medical bills
that are costing you thousands
Medical costs are high. Even with insurance, you may be paying a small fortune to stay healthy. Should something major occur, the costs can be staggering. Unfortunately, people often make mistakes that can cause the amount they pay to be higher than it should be. Let’s take a closer look at mistakes you’re making with your medical bills that are costing you thousands.
Not Looking at the Statements
When your bill arrives, take a close look at it. If there are expenses that aren’t explained, or grouped together, ask for an itemized bill. You want to see everything you’re being charged for to make sure you’re actually being charged the right amount. Sometimes, you may be in the hospital and they schedule a test, but then change their minds. This may end up on your bills, even though you didn’t have the test done. Always be thorough when checking the statements.
Coding errors are the most common mistake and they can really add up. Going in for your child’s well child check up vs. a sick visit can be a difference of that appointment being covered 100% or at 70%. So make sure you question everything, especially if it just doesn’t look right.
Not Asking About A Cash Discount
Don’t have insurance? Ask if they offer a cash discount if paid in full. This may cost you a bit up front but if you are able too… it will save you up to 30% in the long run on your bill.
Not Combining Your Appointments
Combine as many appointments as you can into one visit. My daughter needed a sports physical, which has a flat rate of $79 because insurance doesn’t cover them BUT when I combined it with her annual well child check, it was all covered 100%. This can go for many things, get your massage referrals, vaccinations, hearing tests, allergies, specialist request, anything you can think of…. try to do this all in that annual physical as for most insurances, are covered at a higher percentage.
Not Checking with Your Insurance Company
You have great insurance, the services you need will be covered. Won’t they? Not necessarily. Before you have something major done, you want to make sure your insurance is going to cover the expense. The last thing you want is to be hit with a bill that reaches into the thousands and find out your insurance denied the claim.
Many times…. big or small, some procedures or specialist need pre-approval or a referral. I know this may take a bit of extra time but your Dr. office should be able to check on this and make it go as smooth as possible.
Sometimes your insurance may cover a service but for some reason you’re being sent a bill. Check to make sure the insurance claim was filed. If you had a preventative service done, such as a PAP smear, check to make sure the provider knows that your insurance company offers these services at no cost to the patient.
NOT Fighting For Yourself
It’s important to be your best advocate, after all this is your health and your money! If you feel like your bill is just off you have a right to ask for full details, break down or account review. Also check with your insurance company and check with them on payment and what they have marks down as “your portion” . I recently had an issue with our family dental account where we has double coverage. After both insurances had paid and I had paid “my portion in full” They claimed that I owed over $2,000. I just felt in my gut that it was incorrect and after almost a year of fighting back, they in fact had actually been over paid and I owed nothing. Had I just paid the bill, even after them assuring me it was correct, I would have been out thousands. If you find yourself in a bind and are in the need of a bit more muscle, consider consulting a credit lawyer like Douglas Healy
I found myself in a similar situation from a fall! If you feel that you are not the responsible party in your injury, then you should seek out a personal injury attorney that would be willing to fight on your behalf.
Additionally, If your Dr. recommends treatment or services that are not typically covered by your insurance….but you are able to prove that it is medically necessary with the help of a written letter by your doctor, then you could petition to have special approval for that treatment to be covered.
Not Buying Your Medical Supplies Direct
Especially if you have a chronic illness, like diabetes, breathing issues, mobility or in need of wound care items.
Heathproductsforyou.com ships your medical supplies directly to your home and will save you hundreds if not thousands over the course of a year on your medical supplies. They will work directly with you to set up auto ship which will save you tons of time and of course money. If you set up auto ship for your next purchase you will receive an additional 7% discount on all subsequent orders. That is a huge savings for people that need continuous care and repeat items.
Paying with Credit Cards
You may think that paying for that unexpected trip to the hospital with credit cards is the okay thing to do. It was an emergency after all. Wrong. You need to have an emergency account for these situations. Paying such a high amount with a credit card will lead to massive interest fees. If an emergency account isn’t an options, look into payment plans or CareCredit.com for lower interest options.
Not Negotiating
Did you know that you may be able to negotiate with medical providers to get your medical bills lowered? You can speak to the provider before a service is provided to try to negotiate a lower cost. If the service was during an emergency, you can contact the billing office and ask about lower costs for those that are unable to pay their bills. Depending on your income, you may be able to get on a payment plan or have your costs completely taken care of for you through a scholarship or low income program.
Choosing the Wrong Provider
Your friend has an amazing doctor, so you decide to switch doctors. There’s only one problem. The doctor isn’t in your network. You always want to make sure the provider you choose is in your network so that you pay the least amount of money.
Paying Your Bill In Full If It Goes To Collections
In the event that your bills get out of control and you find yourself getting that pink collections envelope. Did you know that you can actually make them an offer!?!? In most cases the collections agency bought your account in an auction for FAR less than what you owed. They are then there to try and enforce the debt to make a profit on their purchase. Many times if you are able to make a payment in full, they are willing to entertain an offer to settle your account.
Not Contacting The Doctor On Call
Almost all Doctors and Dentists can an answering service day or night to call in with your concerns. I have used this service MANY times and it has saved us thousands. If you have a good Doctor, most will be honest and tell you if it is a good idea to be seen or just give you some great at home advice. Most of the time, during the day you will be speaking to a nurse, but after hours, you will be talking to a real Doctor. This service is FREE and they will be able to point you in the right direction for comfort, medication or when to worry and come in ASAP.
Going to the Emergency Room
Last, but not least, people often go to the emergency room when a trip to an urgent care center would be more appropriate. Don’t waste your money at an ER unless you absolutely have to. You’ll end up paying ten times or more for the visit.
Medical bills can be outlandish. They can be made even higher by simple mistakes. Take the time to educate yourself so that you can pay less.
