This is a partial re-post from May, but since we have many more readers and I recently had another medical bill error – the information is important enough to be shared again.  We just got an ER copay for $250 because my daughter was not admitted – she was not admitted because she was transferred to a different hospital to be admitted.  HELLO, they are the ones who sent her!  Anyway, I hope this helps you…

Do you match-up your medical bills to your insurance coverage?

Do you make sure you are not double billed for items or paying twice for a copay?

Do you even know what your coverage is?

These are critical questions you should be asking yourself.  There is so much medical jargon and code it is very easy for there to be accidental errors in medical billing.

I have always “kept and eye” on my insurance statements and then match up what they say I am liable for and what I actually get billed, but I recently found out that I need to watch even closer!

My insurance plan changed as of this year so I have been watching my bills more closely than ever.  It is important that you understand your coverage so you can make informed decisions about your care.  Knowing how much it will cost to go to the ER may make your decision about things that COULD wait until Dr’s hours easier.  DO NOT TAKE THIS AS PUTTING OFF NEEDED CARE to save a buck – THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM SAYING!  But for example, last years plan had ER visits FREE so if we had not paid our Dr. visit deductible yet for the year, it was actually CHEAPER to go to the ER than schedule a visit to the Dr.  That has now changed (bummer!) – see what I mean.

It is easy to get overwhelmed and just pay bills as they come in – especially if it is small – but $15 here or there adds up quickly.  As I was paying my medical bills yesterday I noticed a flu shot had no insurance coverage and they split a single Dr’s well visit into 2 and it appeared they wanted 2 co pays.  A simple phone call to the Dr’s office gave me some interesting info.

They neglected to submit the flu shot for insurance.  That was $54 I might have just paid assuming it was not covered anymore.  Good thing I asked.

That double copay was not that at all.  There was actually a $35 fee that was rejected by insurance stating it was “not covered with a routine diagnosis”  – you know all that insurance lingo.  I had no idea what the $35 charge was even for.  Come to find out, they stated it was for a “developmental assessment”.  I asked what that was.  They asked if I filled out a questionnaire at the visit and signed it.  I had.  I was given a clipboard when I registered that had routine – “do you have any concerns over your child’s development, behavior, etc” type questions.  The normal things you would speak to your pediatrician about during your well visit – right?  Well not only did I have no concerns and check N/A for most of them, the Dr. did nothing other than the normal stats checks and shots at the visit – it was my 12 month old.  Well that form they asked for info on, that questionnaire is a Developmental Assessment and it costs an extra $35 and is NOT covered by most insurance companies!  Needless to say I did not even have to ask twice to have it removed from my bill.  I am guessing they have had lots of issues with that one.

So what started out as a $79 bill that I may have just scanned and paid turned out to be ZERO after a simple phone call!  I can only imagine the medical bill errors that are getting paid by accident.

• Get to know and understand your medical coverage, including prescriptions.

• Shop around for the best prescription prices and do not be afraid to move them from pharmacy to pharmacy – especially when they have the $25 giftcard promos!  *note – you may NOT want to move them around if you are on multiple prescriptions as your pharmacist will not be able to advice about dangerous drug interactions.  However you can ask them to price match.
  

• Always compare your bills to the insurance claim statements (EOB – explanation of benefits) and compare the insurance claim statements to your statement of benefits!

If you do not have medical insurance there are also ways you can reduce costs by negotiating your charges (ahead of time if possible) or at least setting up a payment plan.

What other tips do you have around managing your medical finances?