Beware of Your Hospital Bill

If you need to use the services of a hospital you have the right to know all the cost, including what was charged to your insurance company and how much was paid to them. By asking for a complete record of your billing, keeping a list and having a little help from your friends you can save money with discounts or by finding mistakes within the bill itself.

If you are going to have a procedure done in the hospital ask your own doctor for an estimate of the cost and what medication you will need. Do not let your doctor just brush off your concern. Many times they will not want to place themselves in a situation of possible billing problems when they work for the hospital you'll be using. But if at all possible insist in writing the estimated cost and medication for comparison later.

Start taking notes from the time you enter the hospital. Who you see, how much time you spend with them and what medication are given to you. This will give you a record to look at when you receive the bill and compare if you were charged for medications you were never given or a doctor you never saw or authorized.

Ask for a detailed bill afterwards. Hospitals love to give a summary bill, but a summary will not include line by line items. If you have a detailed bill for each item charged you can compare to make sure you are not being billed for a test you did not have, a doctor you did not see or your neighbors medication. You'll want to make sure the number of days are correct and that you are not charged twice for the same thing.

If you disagree with items on your detailed bill then contact the hospital administrator as soon as possible. You can correct a lot of mistakes this way before the bill goes to your insurance company and you receive your portion to pay.

Ask for a discount! Ask for it loud and clear. Many hospitals will work out a deal with an insurance company and give them a discount. But your portion will be based on the full amount. Ask for a detailed bill of what your insurance company received and a copy of what was paid to them. Your discount or payment portion should be based on the lower price, not the higher price.

We are all thankful for hospitals and their very good staff. But like many businesses they can make a mistake in billing or do as much as possible to replace money lost from patients that cannot pay or do not have insurance. These type of mistakes are costly to you and it's your right to know what you are paying for is the service you are receiving and only you are receiving it. Keep control of your bills and you will be able to keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.