Whether you’ve been in an accident lately, or you’re battling chronic illness, such as cancer, medical bills and hospitals can become a routine part of life. However, that routine shouldn’t obfuscate the dangers of paying a lot more than you need to. Here, we’re going to look at some of the risks you should keep an eye out for, especially if you’re a frequent visitor to the hospital.
Billing Errors
There has been an increased focus on medical bills lately, especially the mistakes that they can contain, from duplicate charges to services you didn’t receive, or incorrect insurance codes. These errors can quietly inflate your out-of-pocket costs without you even being aware of it. Always request an itemized bill and compare it to your insurance explanation of benefits, and be ready to dispute any discrepancies you see. It’s best to do this in writing so that you’re able to keep a record in case you have to fight them over it.
Out-of-Network Charges
To ensure that you’re covered for your treatments as best as possible, it’s always wise to stay in network with your medical providers. However, even with an in-network hospital, some of the treatments you get from doctors like anesthesiologists or radiologists might be out-of-network without your knowledge. These can lead to some pretty shockingly high bills. Before any procedure, ask for a list of all providers and confirm their insurance status. If you receive a surprise bill, file an appeal and check if your state has laws protecting you.
Medical Malpractice
Even with the best intentions, medical staff can make errors that cause harm, not just to you and your health, but to your finances as well. Especially if they result in unnecessary treatments, lost income, or mental health impacts. In such cases, working with an attorney who handles malpractice cases like Folkman Law can be crucial. A successful claim can help cover long-term costs and hold providers accountable. But time limits apply, so you may need to act quickly. Malpractice not only protects your financial future from someone else’s mistake, but it can also ensure that everyone, including medical staff, can be held accountable.
Medical Debt
If you’re not able to keep up with all of your medical bills, it can become medical debt. This includes any bills that you’re currently disputing. When these debts land in the collections process, even if you’re negotiating them, they can affect your credit score. Always communicate with providers if you can’t pay in full. Ask about hardship programs or interest-free payment plans. You want to do what you can to keep your medical debt from hitting collections, which means you need to be proactive in communicating any issues.
Dealing with medical bills on a regular basis can be costly enough. You don’t need to be even more financially demanding. Keep the tips above in mind and keep your wits about you when dealing with hospitals. Even the best can make mistakes, especially if they deal with high volumes of patients.
