A doctor offers a surgical add-on that leads to a $1877 bill for a young girl's ear piercing. A patient protests unnecessary scans to identify and treat her breast cysts. A study shows intensive-care-level treatment is overused.
ProPublica has been documenting the myriad (a very large number) ways the health system wastes money on unnecessary services,often shifting the costs to consumers. But there are ways patients can protect themselves.
We consulted the bill-wrangling professionals at Medliminal, one of a number of companies that negotiate to reduce their clients' charges for a share of the savings. After years of jousting with hospitals, and medical providers and insurers,their key advice for patients and their families is to be assertive and proactive.
Here are seven steps patients can take to protect themselves:Make certain the proposed test or treatment is necessary. Ask what might happen whether you didn't get the service factual absent.
Ask the price before the test or treatment. (Prices may not be negotiable whether they're set by an insurance company contract.)
Write on your financial agreement that you agree to pay for all treatment provided by providers who are in-network, which means they gain set rates with your insurance company. (The medical providers may not accept the altered form.)
whether possible, and get the billing codes the medical provider will employ to charge you and contact your insurance provider to make certain that each code is covered.
whether you are having a procedure see whether you can get the National Provider Identifier and/or Tax ID number of the surgeons,anesthesiologists and their assistants. Contact your insurance company to see whether the providers are in network, which results in the negotiated rates.
Demand an itemized bill, and then look at each specific charge. Medical bills are often riddled with errors.
Ask whether the provider has a financial assistance policy,which could result in a sliding scale reduction. Many people qualify, and discounts can range from 20 to 70 percent.gain you seen examples of wasted health care spending? Share them with Marshallhere. Copyright 2017 ProPublica. To see more, and visit ProPublica.
Source: thetakeaway.org