Check the Bill for Errors
This can be challenging because medical bills have their own unique language, but you can determine if your bill is accurate if you know where to focus your attention.
Almost all procedures are coded to facilitate collection from insurance companies. You can search online to learn the meaning of the medical codes that appear on your bills. You can compare the meanings with your procedures to see if you are actually paying for the treatment you received.
Some errors are surprisingly common: there may be mismatched codes, meaning they do not correspond with your diagnosis. If the codes do not match, your insurance provider, if you have one, is likely to deny payment for any part of this claim. Upcoding involves billing for treatment that may be similar to what you received but is not the treatment you actually underwent, and typically costs more. Other errors can include multiple bills for the same procedure, known as duplicate billing. Unbundling is when services that should be billed under one diagnosis or code are separated into individual line items, often increasing the additional costs.
Contact your doctor or hospital or your insurance provider if you find errors. Inquire about the charges and request a new and accurate bill.
Negotiate Insurance Prices
If you are uninsured, you may be charged a higher rate. Research the fair price for the care you received. This is the amount that providers regularly accept from insurance companies as full payment, and it’s the amount you should aim for in your negotiations. You can find this information in the healthcare pricing book.
Contact the billing department to negotiate a lower payment after obtaining this information. Politely ask to speak to a supervisor if the person you are speaking with denies your request in detail. Keep moving up the organizational hierarchy until you reach someone willing to help you or even reach the highest authority.
Cash is king. Ask your doctor or billing manager if they are willing to offer you a discount for paying in cash if your initial request for a discount based on hardship is denied. Point out that your cash payment will save office credit card fees and employee time in processing paperwork. It is hard for any business to refuse immediate cash flow, especially if you offer to pay at the time of service.
Of course, you should have cash available to do this. See if a family member or friend can help you if you don’t have it.
Negotiate Payment Terms
Sometimes you may encounter a provider who is unwilling to budge on the price, but don’t give up and use your credit card just yet.
Instead, work on establishing a payment plan that meets your needs. Be completely clear about what you can afford to pay. Tell the billing representative how much you can pay and when you can make the payment. If they ask for larger payments – and they are likely to do so – explain that you simply cannot afford more. In all likelihood, they will accept what they can get rather than not receiving any payment at all.
Even if you pay small amounts over a long period of months because that is all you can afford, the provider will not turn you over to collections. They will accept your money every month and send you a new bill the following month… that is, unless you miss a payment.
Never offer or agree to pay more than you can afford under any circumstances. Falling behind on payments will destroy any future negotiation power you might have.
Get
On External Assistance
If all previous steps have failed, consider asking for help. There are many advocates for healthcare and medical bills, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation. The downside is that many of them also charge money. However, they will go to bat for you if you haven’t made any progress on your own, and some may offer sliding scale fees based on your income.
More Considerations
Keep these things in mind when facing a medical bill that seems unmanageable: insurance companies negotiate with healthcare providers all the time. You can do that too. No one will think you are cheap for doing so. Call the billing department right away when you receive a bill you cannot afford. It is harder to negotiate a bill once it becomes overdue. Be polite and keep your composure. No one wants to help someone who is rude. Medical bills from doctors and hospitals aren’t the only bills you can negotiate. You can also negotiate dental bills and lab fees.
When Possible, Call Ahead
Many doctors and facilities have programs to assist those experiencing financial hardship, but they may not inform you about them unless you ask. The important thing is to notify them honestly and as early as possible that you will need help.
Ask for a discount before the procedure or service if it’s not an emergency. Speak openly with your doctor or provider about your circumstances. If you do not have insurance or if your insurance does not cover the procedure, say so. Your doctor needs to know whether you live on a fixed or low income, or if there are other factors that will make it difficult for you to pay.
Note: Some hospitals may require you to apply for Medicaid before they offer you a discount on services.
Get it in writing if you succeed in negotiating a discount. You may need this confirmation later. In fact, you might want to present your offer in writing as well, so you have a record of it, or follow up your conversation with a written note summarizing what you discussed, who you spoke with, and any terms you agreed upon.
Make sure you understand what is included in the quoted price for you. Does it include anesthesia, or is that an extra charge? A discount on the surgery might not be very beneficial if anesthesia is not covered, and that cost alone can drain your bank account.
Keep Your Promise
If you agreed to pay at the time of service, do so. If you agreed to send regular monthly payments, send those payments on time every month. Failing to do what you promised can result in the provider withdrawing any discount that was extended to you, which could put you in collections.
Key Considerations for Negotiating Medical Bills
Keep these points in mind when facing a medical bill that seems unmanageable: insurance companies negotiate with healthcare providers all the time. You can do that too. No one will think you are cheap for doing so. Call the billing department right away when you receive a bill you cannot afford. It is harder to negotiate a bill once it becomes overdue. Be polite and keep your composure. No one wants to help someone who is rude. Medical bills from doctors and hospitals aren’t the only bills you can negotiate. You can also negotiate dental bills and lab fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I can’t pay my medical bills? If you do not pay your medical bills or negotiate with the hospital where you received care, the outstanding amount will be sent to a collection agency, which will affect your credit score. Your credit score will drop, and the entry will remain on your credit report for up to seven years or more.
Will
Do medical bills or debts ever disappear? Medical bills do not disappear regardless of how many calls you ignore. Once they are sent to a debt collection agency, it takes seven years to remove the medical debt from your credit report. The bill itself, however, is not actually gone, and you will still owe that amount to the hospital or clinic you visited. It’s always best to talk to the billing department where you received care and be upfront with them to find out a payment plan that will work for both parties.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-negotiate-medical-bills-1387808
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