MedicalConspiracies- Hospitals over charge you! locate Medical Billing Advocates

http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/-tips/details-8.html

How to fight back against Medical Overcharges
Contributor:	Stacy Sandt
Savings:	100's or even 1000's yearly
Description:	According to People's Medical society, a nonprofit medical consumer rights organization, three-quarters of hospital bills have overcharges to the tune of $1000 on the average. They state that doctor's also are padding their bills. So what are you to do? There are several strategies to lower your out-of-pocket costs if your health insurance isn't comprehensive enough, or if you don't have coverage and aren't eligible for assistance. First and foremost be aware of exactly what your insurance does cover and any deductibles that must be met before coverage takes affect. Prescriptions : If you are not insured or eligible for government assistance be sure to check with Partnership for Prescription Assistance for help getting free or low cost prescriptions. www.PPARx.org or 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669). You can also ask your physician or local pharmacist for any coupons or refunds offered by pharmaceutical companies. Speak with your physician and let him know that you can't afford expensive prescriptions. Most times he/she will have sample packs or can prescribe generic or over-the-counter alternatives. If you are on any maintenance prescriptions inquire whether the dosage can be altered to make it more cost effective or if it can be doubled and split to cut costs. Pill splitters are inexpensive and you can purchase empty capsules at most apothecaries or formulary pharmacies. They may even split the capsules for you. Doctor Bills : Most insurance carriers pay physicians one-half to two-thirds of the billed amount, so if you are uninsured speak with your doctor personally and request a discounted rate. They will most often work with you. If a follow-up visit is suggested request that any fee be waived or at least discounted. And, if it is necessary, a momentary visit with a nurse so you won't interrupt the doctor's schedule. During your visit notify your doctor that you will be paying out-of-pocket and need to keep costs down. Most respectable doctors will be happy to accommodate your request. If any tests are suggested make sure you ask if they are necessary and what they will do. If you do have to have them request the paperwork so you can have it done at a lab. Or, you can request the physician waive the additional lab fees because you're already being charged for a visit. And if you have to come in just to have blood work done you'll be charged for a visit, a phlebotomist fee, and lab fees. If you go to a lab you're charged a flat lab fee. If the tests are expensive be sure to check with your insurance to verify they will be covered or if a second opinion is necessary before payment will be made. Hospital Bills : This is one place most people are likely to be overcharged. There are several things you can do to prevent this. You just need to be diligent and observant and always enlist help to catch anything you may miss. The first thing you want to do is request an itemized bill when you are checking in. They are required by law to provide this. Be sure to specify that you want an itemized list brought to your bed each evening. If they neglect to do this or deny your request demand to speak with a Patient Advocate. Every hospital employs one. They are there for you, to protect your rights. Secondly, ask if you will be charged for your final days visit. Hospitals charge a full days visit no matter what time you're admitted, and in return, they aren't supposed to charge for the final day. But, unless you check your bill you won't know until either you're billed or the insurance company declines to pay, and then you have to fight with them. Be sure to ask for a specific check out time also. Before the final day arrives let the doctor know that you want to be discharged by the check-out time. If he won't be on call inform him/her that either you want to be discharged the day before when he/she is on call, or, you want to see another doctor. If you still are not accommodated, let your Patient Advocate know you will refuse to be billed because it's the doctors fault you couldn't be discharged by the specified time. The third thing you need to do is double check your itemized list and verify every item on it. If something isn't clear ask a nurse for a specific description. Make sure you're not billed for two doctor visits when you only saw a physician once. Verify that any non-essential item isn't actually included in your room and board. Check operating room times against your charge for the anesthesiologist. Operating rooms are charged by the minute so if the charges are padded even a little it can be a substantial amount. And be sure to verify what exactly is included in pperating room costs. Lastly, make sure you have someone you trust help keep track of the costs. Or, if you prefer have them take care of it for you. If any problems do arise that you feel are not adequately resolved there are Independent Medical Billing Advocates who will work on your behalf to resolve any issues. Generally they will do this for a percentage of any savings they facilitate on your behalf. To locate a medical billing advocate: Contact Medical Billing Advocates of America (304-645-6389, www.billadvocates.com)... American Medical Bill Review (530-221-4759, www.www.ambr.com)...or Edward R. Waxman & Associates (877-679-7224, www.hospitalbillauditing.com)