Chapter 4
Keeping a Lid on Medical Costs
In This Chapter
Finding ways to cut costs on medical expenses
Saving on health insurance
Taking action to attack medical-related financial troubles
We don't have to tell you that healthcare costs are skyrocketing and
can eat up a very large chunk of your finances. This chapter helps
you chip away at the different pieces of your medical costs one at a time.
Here you'll find ways to save at the doctor's office and pharmacy, methods
of finding good deals on health insurance, and ideas for dealing with medical-
related debt.
Saving on Medical Expenses
Unexpected medical and pharmacy bills can take a huge bite out of the family
budget. Even though you can't possibly plan for all emergencies and contin-
gencies, you can cut back on regular medical-related expenses.
Keeping a close eye on bills
Remember to keep careful track of all your medical expenses and look over
every itemized bill in detail. We know of a surgeon who accidentally billed a
patient twice for the main surgical procedure, adding $800 to the total bill.
When the patient pointed out the error, the doctor's office happily corrected
it. Be sure to follow up on corrections like that. Sometimes the paperwork
gets lost in the shuffle, and you need to remind the office more than once to
take the charges off your bill.
Keep calm when you're haggling with doctors or hospitals over disputed
amounts. They'll often negotiate and lower the amount due, especially if
patients are assertive yet courteous. Keep written documentation of every
phone call, letter, and bill related to the disputed charges. Be organized, con-
fident, and polite.
If you belong to an HMO or PPO, make sure that every doctor and specialist
working on you is part of your medical plan. Don't assume that just because
you're in a plan-approved hospital, you're being treated by a plan-approved
doctor, anesthesiologist, or nurse. A friend told us she once fought a $400
bill for more than a year: The emergency room was plan approved, but the
doctor on call that night was not. It took a while, but eventually they wrote
off the $400.
The continuation/full version of this article read on site www.cassiie.com -
Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies
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