What’s Reasonable? What’s not? Learn how to read those bills!
If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic, debilitating or life-threatening illness, chances are you’ve found yourself staring at complicated bill for services you’ve received. If you don’t understand some of the items on the bill, you’re not alone. Learn how to decode your medical bills and know exactly what you’re being charged for and how much it should cost.
Your medical costs may vary depending on what state you live in. Using a cost calculator will help lead you to a ball park estimate of about what things should cost. This can be especially useful if you are uninsured.
You can access a Medical Cost Calculator courtesy of Fair Health:
http://fairhealthconsumer.org/medicalcostlookup.php.
Fair Health is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide patients with a clear, unbiased explanation of the medical reimbursement process.
After you’ve done your research and found the right healthcare insurance provider for you and your family, learn about costs associated with your plan. Get familiar with the monthly premium, yearly deductible, yearly out-of-pocket maximum, and the co-pay. If you’re unsure about any items, talk to your health care insurance provider or employer about costs associated with your care. They are experts in the field and should be able to answer any questions you have about costs.
If you receive a bill and have questions, don’t hesitate to give the billing department at the facility you received care at a call. They should be able to explain each item listed. If the costs seem steep, ask for a discount, especially if you are uninsured.
By using resources like a cost calculator, you’ll be able to better navigate your medical bills and understand exactly what you are being charged for to determine whether it’s a reasonable charge. Remember, if you ever have questions or want an explanation for an item on your bill, speak up! You never know; it could make a difference to your wallet.
