Top 9 tips for handling medical bills when times get tight
As large numbers of Michigan residents cope with being unemployed or underemployed, a source of stress can be a lack of insurance when a medical crisis arises.
The University of Michigan has released a list of tips from its Comprehensive Cancer Center for handling - or trying to reduce - medical bill stress.
Here's a look at what some of their experts suggest.
A doctor assesses a patient in this file photo.
1. Use safety nets: For some people, it can be difficult to admit the need for financial help. But the reason public assistance like Medicaid exists is to help those in crisis. "What greater justification does someone need to have besides acquiring a health care crisis like cancer," U-M social worker Chris Henrickson said in a release.
2. Don't delay: Most hospitals have financial counselors or social workers to help patients navigate public assistance, but it's important not to wait to ask for help. Deadlines are non-negotiable, and many other forms of assistance require you apply for Medicaid first.
3. Get a representative: It can be helpful to have a trusted family member or friend handle the financial part of your care. You will have to provide permission for this person to act on your behalf.
4. Organization is key: Keep records of all medical bills and correspondence with insurance companies, including the name of all representatives you speak with on the phone.
5. Don't let the mail pile up: Keep tabs on all your mail, even if you're stressed about bills you can't pay. If Medicaid requests further documentation and you miss the deadline to respond, your case might be closed and create an even bigger stress.
6. Go in person: If your caseworker doesn't respond to you, go in person or send someone on your behalf.
7. Ask: If you don't understand a bill or letter from your insurer, take it to your next doctor's appointment. Hospital financial counselors or social workers can help you figure it out.
8. Keep your cool: When dealing with caseworkers or insurance representatives, try to remain patient and understanding, even if you become frustrated with a situation. "Remember, caseworkers are overwhelmed too," U-M Cancer Center social worker Dawnielle Morano said in a release. "But they can be key members of your health care team if you work to develop healthy relationships with them."
9. See what you can work out: If you can't pay the bills in full, see if your hospital's financial counselor or your insurance company can help you set up a no-interest payment plan. Work to avoid having your bill forwarded to a collection agency.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
FreedomLover
Thu, Dec 17, 2009 : 12:50 a.m.
I have no problem with helping people without health insurance get the medical services they need. I do have a problem with our government taking control of everyone else's health care in the process. I do not trust my government to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens. If they were interested in making an acceptable health plan they would be including the minority parity in the writing of the plan. Instead, select members of the majority party meet behind closed doors and then we are supposed to just accept without question what they come up with. Other than the military, what large program has our government successfully created and run profitably. Just look at AMTRAK, social security, medicare, medicaid - all forecast to go broke unless they get hugh tax increases!
kmgeb2000
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 2:02 p.m.
Without insurance coverage you are toast.. period. My mother had a series of out-patient procedures recently, for bronchitis related illness - one single test which took less than 4 hours = >$10,000. That was only on line on the summary and nothing catastrophic; explain handling nearly $10,000 medical bills! Can you say bankruptcy. In addition, my fathers pacemaker was $250K - one event over 25 yrs years with a heart related condition. Those campaining against universal health coverage must not have been touched by the joy of our current system. Managing simple doctor visits NBD, anything else in the absence of health insurance is bankruptcy.
Blklight
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 12:46 p.m.
What is stopping me is that there is no legislation already on the books that forces me to pay universal health care taxes. Of course I can freely CHOOSE to donate money to any social service organization I want, but it is a completely different thing to have laws on the books mandating that I must pay into a nationwide health care fund. If I choose to donate (or not) is something within my personal control, whether or not I decide to pay into the Social Security system or the Medicare system is not. I cannot one day just say "Hey I think I'm gonna stop paying social security taxes!" it doesn't work like that. Make universal health coverage the same as Medicare, heck even get rid of Medicare, if it means everyone has the option to use a government insurance plan and get the medical coverage they deserve, take it out whether people want to pay or not. I"m of the belief that proper medical care is not something that is an "option" for any person living in a civilized society, rather it is a right. That is my opinion, just like it's other people's opinion to the contrary. It is up to the legislators to decide which side is right, and that is why we elect them!
cinnabar7071
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 12:11 p.m.
"if it means that I have to pay a few extra dollars a month in taxes to make sure some family that I will never know doesn't have to choose whether to feed their kids or take them to the doctor then that is completely fine by me." So Blklight what is stopping you from doing that now? Just wondering.
John
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:43 a.m.
I have talked to several Canadians and they LOVE their health care. They scratch their heads in disbelief as they watch our advertisements that diss their system. I purchase my prescription drugs in Canada via phone and FAX, it is not illegal. My $169 per month asthma inhaler is available in generic form for $27, yet in this country it will not be available in a generic form until 2012. Hats off to Canada!!
Patrick Foy
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:40 a.m.
This is a great article with some really helpful tips. For even more advice on how to save money on medical bills, I would suggest downloading a book called The Healthcare Survival Guide at www.healthcaresurvivalguide.com. This book contains tips to save money, information on free or low-cost services and more -- it's really tremendous. The book is currently being offered for free as a download from the publishers website but it can also be found on amazon.com for $6.95.
Blklight
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:36 a.m.
I mean just LOOK at this list of helpful tips..."see what you can work out" Really?? That is the best we can come up with in these United States, see what you can work out? That to me is completely unacceptable and if it means that I have to pay a few extra dollars a month in taxes to make sure some family that I will never know doesn't have to choose whether to feed their kids or take them to the doctor then that is completely fine by me. I am not so jaded in my hatred for some political party that I can't see that sometimes we all have to make sacrifices for the greater good of society. What is your excuse?
Dennis Dobecki
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.
I agree with number 3, get a representative to help with the financial part of your care. Patient advocates like INSNET,LLC specialize in helping individuals reduce their medical bills. If they successfully negotiate a savings for you, they keep a portion of the savings. There is no fee if there is no savings. Visit www.myinsnet.com to learn more.
Blklight
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.
Don't know, let's go ask some Canadians if their health care system is working. We're right on the border I'm sure it won't be too hard to find a few. It also seems to me that if it was as bad as YOU think it were, they would already be trying to change it to something you know, better. So yes let's ask the Canadians if they prefer their health care system to our system and see what those results will look like. I'm confident that as a group they would choose what they have now to our own system.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:04 a.m.
yep, that universal health care thing is doing wonders in canada, eh? man can't live on change alone.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 11:04 a.m.
I like the way it is, want health insurance buy it. I know people without health insurance because they felt a bigger and better home was in their best interest, so they opted not have health insurance. Also I know a woman who is about to lose her home,(bought more then she could afford), if her taxes are raised, shes screwed, (she does have health care tho) So all you people that are for obama care have no problem putting this woman out of her home so you can have health care, nice values you have.
Blklight
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 10:28 a.m.
OR we could pass universal health care and then people wouldn't be having these problems in the first place. But that would be "socialist" and we can't be having none of that there socialsm in these here United States of Capitalism. That's for them furriners
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
just call and tell them to rebill it. that'll buy you at least 6 months to a year. another thing i can't stand is it takes the hospital/billing 6 months to bill you after a visit, yet the bill is "due upon receipt"?!?! explain that one to me lucy.
Technojunkie
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 : 8:41 a.m.
If you don't have insurance but still have savings, buy catastrophic health insurance. For the cost difference between that and full coverage you can pay your routine bills in cash and still have money left over. Full coverage only makes sense when you're trying to shelter income from the tax man. You'll want to use the insurance company to "negotiate" the best price for services sometimes even if the insurance won't pay. Get the highest deductible you can. I got mine from State Farm and it paid out when I needed it.