Handling medical bills - savvy advice from one who knows
It has come to my attention that those out there who are most careful to pay bills and perhaps had few health problems just haven't had the experience of what to pay when billed. I know I just sent this but please pass to those who may fit this description.
1. When you receive a bill for any service, DO NOT PAY IT UNTIL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY (AETNA, MED MUT, AULT) send you a claim for that date of service. They will specifically state what is patient responsibility with codes. Read the codes and they explain why you pay no more then they state as your responsibility for service due to usual customary rates (UCR) or other reasons such as the provider did not pre-certification the procedure, etc.
2. Always get a pre-cert or ask your Dr. or provider of tests, etc. if they are getting one (most do) PRIOR to procedures such as MRI's, etc. OTHERWISE: YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY!
3. If you get a bill saying, you owe this amount prior to insurance billing and determination, NEVER PAY IT! Most now send bills saying: This is NOT a bill as they file with insurance first. It simply means this is what they billed insurance but insurance will drastically reduce that amount and state what is allowed on your claim and THE PROVIDER MUST WRITE OFF THE REMAINING AMOUNT! YOU NEVER OWE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT YOUR INSURANCE TELLS YOU TO PAY!
4. IF the medical provider tells you to pay the overage, call your isurance provider and report them as THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BILL YOU FOR REMAINING BILL! THEY MUST WRITE IT OFF. The insurance provider will contact them and tell them this and they must not bill you further or report them again. Write on the bill, my insurance company will contact you stating I owe only this amount and you must write off rest. NOTHING WILL GO TO CREDIT BUREAU OR AGAINST YOU. Most Dr. and medical services know enough to do this now and wait to bill until they get the claim and you wil see the write offs. This is contractual between the medical provider and insurance and they must comply. Some used to try to get the overage and it seems some still do in some areas. NEVER PAY IT.
5. If you have any question regarding a service or date of service, always call your insurance provider NOT THE DR OR MEDICAL PROVIDER to see what you owe. Call the billing Dr. or medical provider and state you will pay when you receive your written claim stating what you owe. THEY cannot do a thing but comply. Take nothing else for an answer.
6. Verify this with STRS, Med Mutal, Aetna, Ault etc. if you wish.
-- Molly Janczyk
06/30/2005
1. When you receive a bill for any service, DO NOT PAY IT UNTIL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY (AETNA, MED MUT, AULT) send you a claim for that date of service. They will specifically state what is patient responsibility with codes. Read the codes and they explain why you pay no more then they state as your responsibility for service due to usual customary rates (UCR) or other reasons such as the provider did not pre-certification the procedure, etc.
2. Always get a pre-cert or ask your Dr. or provider of tests, etc. if they are getting one (most do) PRIOR to procedures such as MRI's, etc. OTHERWISE: YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY!
3. If you get a bill saying, you owe this amount prior to insurance billing and determination, NEVER PAY IT! Most now send bills saying: This is NOT a bill as they file with insurance first. It simply means this is what they billed insurance but insurance will drastically reduce that amount and state what is allowed on your claim and THE PROVIDER MUST WRITE OFF THE REMAINING AMOUNT! YOU NEVER OWE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT YOUR INSURANCE TELLS YOU TO PAY!
4. IF the medical provider tells you to pay the overage, call your isurance provider and report them as THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BILL YOU FOR REMAINING BILL! THEY MUST WRITE IT OFF. The insurance provider will contact them and tell them this and they must not bill you further or report them again. Write on the bill, my insurance company will contact you stating I owe only this amount and you must write off rest. NOTHING WILL GO TO CREDIT BUREAU OR AGAINST YOU. Most Dr. and medical services know enough to do this now and wait to bill until they get the claim and you wil see the write offs. This is contractual between the medical provider and insurance and they must comply. Some used to try to get the overage and it seems some still do in some areas. NEVER PAY IT.
5. If you have any question regarding a service or date of service, always call your insurance provider NOT THE DR OR MEDICAL PROVIDER to see what you owe. Call the billing Dr. or medical provider and state you will pay when you receive your written claim stating what you owe. THEY cannot do a thing but comply. Take nothing else for an answer.
6. Verify this with STRS, Med Mutal, Aetna, Ault etc. if you wish.
-- Molly Janczyk
06/30/2005
posted by Kathie Bracy at 7:15 AM
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