TIPS to guard against erroneous medical bills:

Ø      Familiarize yourself with your health insurance plan.  Make sure you know which services are covered, in what quantity, and/or for what monetary limit.

Ø      Keep your insurance company informed of all changes in personal information.  Verify that your insurer(s) has your current personal information to reduce the chances of claim denials.

Ø      Always verify that all your physicians and the facility are in your insurance company’s participating network.  This includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists, diagnostic testing facilities, emergency room, and even the ambulance company (Air or Ground).

Ø      Call your hospital or provider beforehand to verify that the procedure has been authorized and/or certified by your insurance company.

Ø      NEVER pay your hospital bill when exiting the hospital.  Insist on receiving an itemized bill from your healthcare provider prior to paying any charges. 

Ø      Keep good records of the services you receive, this will help you better understand and scrutinize your bill when you get home. 

Ø      Save all your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) received from your insurance company(s). Keep your EOBs in a central location and/or organize them chronologically.  

Ø      Review all explanation of benefits statements (called a summary notice for Medicare beneficiaries) from your insurance company before paying any medical bills.  If you don’t understand the EOBs, then get help from the insurance company, the provider’s office, a family member or friend, even a professional service like Medical Reimbursement Consultants (MRC).

Ø      Keep good records of the services you receive, this will help you better understand and scrutinize your bill when you get home.