Healthcare is a priority for many. We all get sick and have to undergo various procedures to regain optimal health. However, billing errors, high cost of healthcare services, health insurance premiums, and the ever-escalating cost prescription drugs are all causes for concern. Fortunately, there are many ways of keeping your medical bills in check.
Here are ideas to guide you:
- Confirm the cost
Your doctor can give you the estimated value of the procedure before scheduling an appointment. Be sure to ask about this in advance and seek clarification on whether all the processes are necessary; this will be of help if you don’t have an insurance cover.
- Ask for discounts
Nowadays, there’s stiff completion in the healthcare industry, and health facilities strive to keep their customers. Some can extend price cuts only if you ask for them. So, negotiate a cost cut on health care services. If you’re seeking a service provided by different health facilities in your residence, opt for one with affordable rates
. Besides, we all wish to save some cash. Also, try to save on drugs by choosing generic prescriptions, ask for over the counter alternatives, or acquire your medications from wholesale outlets offering lower prices on drugs.
- Establish better relations with the billing experts
Most hospitals partner with medical billing outsourcing companies and have professional billing personnel or a finance department responsible for all billing queries and concerns. In case of any difficulties with your medical bills, visit your doctor’s billing office for clarification. They will help you review your statements, clarify issues concerning your health insurance benefits, and assist you in obtaining inexpensive drugs or services.
- Review your bills for errors
The statement you get via mail is not detailed enough and doesn’t give a detailed breakdown of all the service costs. So, it’s good to request for an itemized bill, and this will help you to understand all the charges listed on your statement. Moreover, go through all the services listed and confirm if you have received each one of them. In case of discrepancy errors, get copies of your pharmacy ledger and compare the doctor’s orders for services alongside the list on the bill.
- Consider a flexible payment plan
Medical bills can be hefty, and paying in time can be a challenge. If you have issues paying in full and on time, inquire from the billing office if they can assist you in designing a billing plan to accommodate for smaller and manageable payments within an extended period.
Also, speak to your insurance firm and find out if other insurance plans suit your needs better. Things like deductibles, annual maximums, and additional medical fees may vary between insurance plans.
Final thoughts
Paying vast amounts of money on medical expenses can be stressful. But, there are simple things you can do and save a lot on your medical bills. Confirm the cost before booking for a medical procedure, ask for discounts, go through your bills and check for errors, and come up with a payment plan to help you settle the payments with ease.
