Post by roadtrip on Jul 21, 2009 12:02:19 GMT -5
Since we have dealt with so much illness in our family I have been the one dealing with all the medical bills, etc. I have learned the following:
1. Many Drs. offices will bill you for the difference between what the insurance company paid and the balance - yet under most plans You DO NOT OWE IT. They just hope you will pay it. EXAMPLE: Bill - amount owed: $500. insurance allowed amount: $200. You owe: $300 (the difference.) In many cases you do not owe this difference. They just hope you will pay it.
The provider has a contract with the insurance company to accept their 'allowed amount.' You owe nothing extra in many cases. Check your plan.
2. For those under group insurance - if you are in the hospital and are treated by an out-of-network Dr. you may be billed as an out-of-network charge. You usually DO NOT OWE IT. Since you are in the hospital it is usually treated as in-network and should be billed as such.
3. A lot of times we are overpaying our deductibles and out-of-pockets because all the bills come in so fast that they are applying them all to deductibles and out-of-pockets - meaning they want you to pay 100%/ You often don't owe it.
4. If you are having problems paying all your medical bills there are some Drs. that will be willing to make settlements with you. There are some hospitals that will also do the same. We have not had to do this but my sister and girlfriend have done this many times. It is amazing the # of medical providers willing to help.
The short of this post - be very careful with all your medical bills. It is amazing how they bill and don't think you will pick it up. Many times we are so engrossed in the medical emergency of the time that we pay the bill.
At the beginning of the year I start a spread sheet for each of us and record all our medical expenses. This lets me see what is owed, paid, over billed at a glance. It gives me the info I need when calling the billing departments to dispute bills.
Just wanted to pass this on in case it helps someone.
1. Many Drs. offices will bill you for the difference between what the insurance company paid and the balance - yet under most plans You DO NOT OWE IT. They just hope you will pay it. EXAMPLE: Bill - amount owed: $500. insurance allowed amount: $200. You owe: $300 (the difference.) In many cases you do not owe this difference. They just hope you will pay it.
The provider has a contract with the insurance company to accept their 'allowed amount.' You owe nothing extra in many cases. Check your plan.
2. For those under group insurance - if you are in the hospital and are treated by an out-of-network Dr. you may be billed as an out-of-network charge. You usually DO NOT OWE IT. Since you are in the hospital it is usually treated as in-network and should be billed as such.
3. A lot of times we are overpaying our deductibles and out-of-pockets because all the bills come in so fast that they are applying them all to deductibles and out-of-pockets - meaning they want you to pay 100%/ You often don't owe it.
4. If you are having problems paying all your medical bills there are some Drs. that will be willing to make settlements with you. There are some hospitals that will also do the same. We have not had to do this but my sister and girlfriend have done this many times. It is amazing the # of medical providers willing to help.
The short of this post - be very careful with all your medical bills. It is amazing how they bill and don't think you will pick it up. Many times we are so engrossed in the medical emergency of the time that we pay the bill.
At the beginning of the year I start a spread sheet for each of us and record all our medical expenses. This lets me see what is owed, paid, over billed at a glance. It gives me the info I need when calling the billing departments to dispute bills.
Just wanted to pass this on in case it helps someone.
