What is the bariatric patient to do? This post I am going to share with you some of my tips on how to sort through these bills and possible save yourself money. I have a Masters in Public Health and am able to decipher these things. So below I am going to share some of my tips with you.
You Open Up The Bills
- Do not pay it immediately look it and make sure it matches up with your insurance claims. You can find that information on the internet and you can also find it on your insurance carriers website.
- Before you have surgery ask about your plan are you going to have a deductible, a co pay for me I have what they call an 80-20 policy. My insurance paid 80 percent and I was supposed to pay 20% but currently right now I am in between jobs and unable to pay.
- For my surgeons bill and office I had no issue with paying my co pay as it was priorly discussed before surgery.
- Prior to surgery I had to have blood draws and I used my local hospital and they sent me bills totalling over 600! I could not afford this. I called the hospital and asked them about their charity or discount program. They sent me the paperwork and I filled it out.
- Make sure you call the hospital and ask about it and ask for an explanation of the bill.
- Another bill I had gotten was for unrelated testing before my VSG I figured it was easier for me to get all my doctors tests done. This bill was for 500! I could not afford that and it was something that as considered a well woman visit.
- I just looked at the bill and they billed through United health care I have NOT HAD UNITED SINCE 2009! They took care of it already.
- I am now working on another two bills that should not have been charged to me.
- It might be a headache but it is something for you to do
Good Luck!
