As we all hold our breath and await some miraculous health care reform, envisioning that time and common sense will prevail, and that true reform emerges, in an ideal form making full coverage available for all, including all the disabled and veterans, with no worries concerning denial of service. If you need a $60, 000 procedure which attempts to save or prolong your life, then you shall have it.
Quite possible a true pipe dream.
I hate to be pessimistic, but time and experience leads to that path. Our adversarial political system, while intended as a balanced effort toward a truth, has evolved into a battleground driven by private capital and greed.
What possible collective good can come from that sort of behavior?
Regardless of how the health care issue gets resolved—-my guess is that any reform will be difficult, given the obvious power the dollar has over the decision making processes of many elected officials. As long as that business arrangement is allowed to continue—-you know, downright back-room, smoke filled images of deals benefiting the few, and punishing the many.
This needs to stop. No more lobbyists.
In the meantime, there are methods you can use to reduce the cost of, say, your costs of visiting an orthopedist, or your dental expenses. You know, all those items which never seem to be covered, and which you need the most?
And because it is important to stay as healthy as you can, especially if you have a disability.
So here’s an overview of the program. Think of it as a tool you can use to lessen the expenses you need pay out of pocket, involving pro-active bargaining approaches to your provider, and auditing medical bills to check for over-billing or unwarranted charges.
And for those who would rather have the work done for them, there are several large firms which, for a fee, will thoroughly audit your financial records and who have stellar reputation in saving money (in some cases, a lot) for a large percentage of their clients. Links to these firms are included in this article.
This just shows how much of a problem medical records, and, say, hospital bills are: we have all heard of the $6.00 aspirin or the $39.00 bandage. Suffice it to say the faulty charges in the medical billing system seem to be built in, they are so prevalent. It pays to be diligent.
The correct procedure to try and reduce your costs to various medical providers requires your willingness to make an appointment with the front office manager, or billing department in order to explain your financial hardship. Tell them how much you can afford, offer to pay in cash, and offer to fill out all paperwork in advance. Be open to late appointments. Be honest and agreeable. Tell them you need them to work with you financially. Many times, the providers are more than happy to accommodate you, as long as you keep your end of the agreement. However, do not make the mistake and try and negotiate directly with the doctor.
Physicians typically do not handle that end of their business, and any attempt to bargain with them is considered an insult—–instead, deal with the people who attend to the charges—the front office or the hospital billing department.
David Whelan, a well known and respected writer for Forbes Magazine has published an article in he which annotates and gives specific examples of the above outline. I would encourage each of you to read this well thought out article. The links to the companies who will work with you on evaluating your medical bills are included in the article.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/21/health-medical-bills-lifestyle-health-doctor-bills-debt.html
As inflation is likely around the corner, if one can effectively predict the eddies and currents of the economy, it is always good to discover possible ways to save your much needed money.
Best of luck to all.
Advocate
