Managing Medical Bill Messes

My very simple and minor surgery went fine today. Still a bit drugged up and groggy so excuse me if I seem off. I had considered cancelling it last night because I’m dreading more medical bills and plus it was after midnight and I really wanted to eat something. I did decide to get it done though, and thought of some ideas for making my medical bill mess easier to deal with.

Look over your bill as soon as you receive it to make sure there are no errors or extra charges. Fortunately, I’ve never found any errors on any of my medical bills. Unfortunately, the amount I’m responsible for has always been correct (would be nice to be able to decrease the bill with an error).

Organize the medical bills. In the past, I became overwhelmed with statements from different clinics and different divisions of the same clinic. I may receive a bill from the lab and one from the clinic and one from anywhere else that provided anything, even though it was all the same appointment. I know, silly that I didn’t expect that, but I ran into problems wondering which bills I paid and which ones I didn’t.

Spreadsheets are effective if you manage bills and things that way. Otherwise just different folders with the name of the provider or clinic is just as simple. This way you can keep receipts, phone numbers, account numbers, and a record of payments and appointments. I mention keeping receipts as well as mileage records because sometimes medical expenses are tax deductible. Check with your accountant at tax time but in the meantime have all of the information just in case. Plus it’s just good to know when and what you’re paying.

Make sure the amount you’re responsible for is correct and that any insurance you may have has already been applied.

If you can’t pay the entire bill, call the medical facility and set up a payment plan immediately. Not only does this prevent interest and late fees (if you stick to the payment plan), you may find out another discount is available.

For instance, a couple years ago I called to set up a payment plan and was told that I may qualify for a hardship program. All I had to do was fill out a form and send in a check stub. I didn’t think I would qualify because honestly, it seemed the equivalent to winning the lottery. To my surprise though I did and my bill for that particular medical facility was decreased by almost 60%. It never hurts to ask and you will probably not be told about any such program unless you specifically ask.

I suggest setting up the immediate payment plan even if you don’t qualify for any discounts though to save money on the bill. I am also a huge fan of direct debit or automatic payments just to make sure I don’t miss one. Sometimes the entire payment plan will be cancelled if you miss a payment.

These are the main suggestions, if I think of anything else that may be useful I’ll post it. Right now I have to sleep off some of this medication. The grogginess and sleepiness has caused me to have a completely unproductive day. I’d say that deserves a discount, right?