DON’T pay medical bills before following these 3 steps
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
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Worked in the ER and billing at hospitals... mistakes are made all the time. Definetly check your bills.
Where I worked, mistakes were encouraged
@@mkabadi95I don’t get what anyone gains from this though? Aren’t you just saving more money towards the company you’re working for and that’s it? Doesn’t benefit you at all to make mistakes and overcharge people.
@@IsraelLlerenayes, which is why the company encourages them to make "mistakes" to overcharge patients, to make more profit
@@IsraelLlerenaSo what you're asking is why would an employee do what they're told is required as part of performing their job? Because they're told to do it as part of their job. Employees also don't get personal benefit out of upselling something at a fast food restaurant or in retail, but that's part of performing the job well.
Yes, this particular example is disgusting, but generally speaking, an employee is employed to get a return on investment (make a profit after the cost of salary) for the business.
"mistakes"
As a Swede, this entire discussion seems surreal.
We americans have just normalized our abusive relationships. It's not that I am getting screwed, I just fell down the stairs.
Same here as a Brit :)
In America you're responsible for your own health administration (you get your insurance plan that's best for you not anyone have health problems)
In Sweden the government takes 45% to 65% of your money in taxes😅 what?
Even if you're not sick in Sweden and European union system, youre forced to pay random people hospital bills
The same with education even if you don't want to go to University you're forced to pay for it
That's why England left the European union system (Brexit) in 2019
@@hiwelcometochillis2579 Yeah, I pay for their bills, they pay for mine. It is a solidarity system.
If you are strongly set on the "each for his own" way you could also see it as a pre-pay system for the day you fall into trouble. Kind of like your insurance system, except you know everything is actually covered.
@@TheMorgwhhlshilth also you don't talk about Sweden people that is in the middle they're not higher earnings but they're not lower earnings either but at the end of the month they don't get money for themselves 😅 everything is for the government
In America health system is free for people that really can't work.
In America education is free for really A+ students
And that works better
In Sweden for example they have free education as people like to advertise it (but they pay in taxes)😅 but what is the impact of that education?
We haven't heard Sweden leading the 4th industry revolution era, or the third revolution era
What's the impact of the european Union system and Sweden in the third and 4th revolution era?
It just makes people lazy
And also this winter people in Europe barely could turn on their house heaters because of the crisis and having that weak European system doesn't work
When you need a lawyer's advice to translate medical bills to you know the medical establishment is beyond healthy boundaries of business.
Definitely
ChatGPT can help you with this.
Well said friend.
They don't make money on healthy people, they want all of us sick!
"...bills to you know..."?
"Oops we made a mistake" SAID NO INSURANCE COMPANY EVER
No they do. They do make all kinds of mistakes.
@@ntmn8444 making mistakes, and admitting they did, is two different things. 🤷😉
@@ntmn8444what they don't do is admit it.
@@ntmn8444The commentator said they simply don't acknowledge them.
The insurance through where my husband used to work, would always deny coverage….and I would have to call them and haggle with them every time I needed to have something done! It is illegal for them to just automatically deny coverage as a routine. They do this, hoping that the unwitting will just go ahead and pay it instead!
I got fed up with them using this illegal tactic every time I used the insurance…..so I contacted the Arizona State Department of Insurance. I didn’t have anymore denied bills after that! Call your state department of insurance, or whatever it’s called, and complain.
you had me at "DO NOT pay your medical bills" 😍
Maybe it's cuz medical billing is outsourced to India?
We have large organisations with medical billing vacancies
@@QwertyQwerty-eq7th And the 'socialised' system that you so despise.....doesn't have any 'medical billing clerks'....because there's only ONE payee....the Ministry of Health. Nor do you need to worry about your insurance or whether you should go for a checkup or to your doctor if something doesn't 'feel right'..... Did you know that people, for example in Canada, live longer than people in the US and are a whole lot more healthy?
@@airborne63 we have socialized system in the US, too, for the freeloaders.
I live in Denmark, and if I call the emergency room after, it is to say thank you.
You also pay 60% of your income in taxes, nothing is free! Healthcare in the U.S is definitely getting out of hand tho.
@@Nick-li3ut I'd rather live in a civilized place.
@@pauldeck4500 the U.S used to be civilized until the socialist Marxist took over!
This is America so when we call the emergency room it's to threaten them.
what are you thanking them for, that you only had to wait 6 weeks to get in? or is it for the bacteria infection that is so common in socialized medicine hospitals?
Pro tip: say "I can't pay this, I'll have to file for bankruptcy." Even if it's not true, hospitals DO NOT want you filing for bankruptcy because they'll get nothing. They'll knock a huge amount off your bill so they get something instead of nothing. I do this all the time.
pretty sure thats not allowed???
@@jelly_randomstuff9614 "Not allowed" by who- the people trying to charge you $300 for a bandaid?
O
@@christinewatson1989Heck now you're going to be charged for that sick burn😂❤
This is true 😮. It’s called financial assiantance. For the 20% who don’t have a mistake on the bill. You have to apply for the hospital’s financial assistance program. show your tax return. If it’s at poverty line or below poverty, they will discount the bill.
This is so true. I had an emergency visit and was admitted and my husband did the same year. While I did have insurance I still had deductibles that I was so stressed about. Someone told me to contact billing and see if they could reduce it. Such a relief I ended up having to pay $40. Don’t be afraid to ask, you never know.
Yes I work in healthcare and there’s a lot of miscommunication with medical staff and the billings department. Also new employees who work in billing who charge out the wrong codes because they do not know medical terminology or the details of a procedure. Always check your bill and do not hesitate to ask questions on each code/procedure that is charged out!
Is this the job of medical coding bill that I've heard of?
I think it's on purpose. Congress should pass a law on this.
@LM-qv7cy yes I trained for it years ago enjoyed it as in being accurate
I coded based on the procedure what type and duration of the visit, etc. I enjoyed getting the right answers and searching for it, its like doing a puzzle or looking up definitions, the answers are in a book and the book is updated each year or everytime there is a code added or changed, so imagine if someone does not like detailed work, yet the answers are in a book or on a program in the office. Mistakes likely to be made, they'd need another profession
You forget the hours that you have to spend waiting on the phone *just* to finally get someone to talk to who can resolve or address your issue...that alone is a huge barrier for people. We have jobs, we have lives...nobody has the time to sit on the phone for hours, especially if calling hours are only available 8-5pm.
It’s worth it sometimes. I spent 2 hrs on the phone to eliminate a $1400 bill I wasn’t supposed to pay in the first place. Sometimes patience pays off :)
Yep. 💯 and they know this!!
Then I guess the added charges on your hospital bill can be considered a “convenience fee”! 😂
I know, she made it sound so easy and pain free
The worst ones have call centers in other countries.
I have been telling everyone i know about these things, especially the financial assistance. I went through lung cancer and didnt pay any copays because I insisted they only send me to physicians in their system, and i filed the assistance program forms at the very beginning. ❤ Thank you for sharing this information with your followers, if we create a web of actually helpful information we can help people live better lives.❤
Unfortunately, these calls that you’re suggesting I make take an hour apiece. It’s like they purposely make you struggle to communicate with them.
Should be a way to dispute on the bill they sent you or write a letter or go down to billing and fill out forms, here in Northern California if an individual household is under 32k they will pay most if not all at certain hospitals
And the hospital wants you to settle as quickly as possible.
I put it in writing and fax and mail. I copy the insurance company as well.
Yep! They make the waiting time long hoping you will give up the chase!
Yah because both the insurance and the hospital are ripping you off. But the call is worth it to save money. 😂
Live in Russia. Got one year free cancer treatment and 6 months long fully paid sick leave. Tears of happyness in my eyes.
finally some country is saying they r getting free treatment...we r a third word country and we provide free medical services.... y cant it happen in the great USA????
Неужто кто то сказал что у нас хорошая медицина😮
It's not free you are paying national insurance or something like that & second before you get to that 'free' treatment unless you give bribe or have family or friends working in that hospital you will die waiting !!!
If you’re getting free care, how are your doctors getting paid? There probably not getting a fair rate for there level of expertise. Eventually no one will want to be a physician then people will really be crying then. I don’t think that a flex, especially working in healthcare to expect free. I’ve seen so many patients think I’m supposed to work free and have a family, business and others who need to get paid.
@@CC-pu6qnIt's probably taxpayer funded like many places. Even in the US, Medicare and Medicaid pay a significant portion of hospital running costs, including doctor salaries.
I work in medical billing. Definitely check your bills.
Thank you! One time I called the doctor’s office while on 3-way with the insurance company. They talked to each other privately and came back to me with a bill that was $1000 less.
That's the best route to go. Get them on the phone together and let them battle it out. They have contract requirements on both ends. So many times patients are being billed for something they shouldn't be.
Only in America could having 3-way mean doing battle with an insurer and a hospital.
@@TheCablebill yep!
I had that too. They covered the same procedure for one child but not for another because of wrong diagnosis code
To me as a Swede that just visited the ER four times in a week and paid nothing, this is truly surreal. I’ll happily sit here and pay my taxes instead.
your a small country of about 10 million,not counting how many illegals.we have over 300 million and are a constitutional republic.Your medical system can work more efficiently for your system and small numbers. it doesn't work for larger countries! do some research on how things work minus the corrupt politicians.
I LOVE this! I've worked in the health insurance industry for the past 25 yrs and you are spot on! 🎯
I tell this to clients all the time!!👍
Omg, this looks unreal for me and the fact that something like that actually happens in US, a really developed country, is just crazy. No one should have to choose between go to the hospital with or without an insurance and became broke or live in pain and sick 😣
The horrors that I could tell you that I witnessed in 20 years of working in nursing homes in hospitals as a speech therapist would blow your mind.
Never pay the first medical bill. Wait until the 2nd or 3rd after your insurance paid. If your claim is denied because you didn't get prior authorization, but it was an emergency they will cover it.
My mom was charged for nursing care an entire day AFTER she died in that hospital. When brought to their attention they wrote off everything not covered by her insurance.
Good advice, but ideally you want to preempt costs by seeing if your insurance authorized the care and if it's in-network. Also, if you're getting radiology scans done do a private radiology center vs. hospital (latter is way more expensive). A great book to ready is "Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win: Allen, Marshall" on how to fight medical bills
Thanks!
Great Video!
In harmony with what she said, in most states (I'm in Texas) all hospitals (especially larger networked ones) will only charge "Medicaid" prices (approximately 65% discount) if you're going to make payments out of pocket over time. If you offer to pay cash all at once, approximately 75-80% discount.
Also, remember that doctors, anesthesiologists, radiologists, etc bill separately so if the procedure is NOT an elective and can be paid in advance they will usually offer 50% discount or more!
For once I am glad that I live in Europe and don't have to do any of this 🙏
Yup! Im barely learning about this stuff in medical coding. As a person using these services you have so many rights including asking for a revision on the bill because there are simply so many mistakes that can be made.
Good advice. Patients also need to watch out for Dr.’s offices and hospitals balance billing when they shouldn’t be per your insurance policy.
ABSOLUTELY!! I'm in Healthcare and see this ALL the time. If you're confused/don't know call your insurance company they will explain 😊
As a German, my health insurance is dealing with everything under the universal health care system. Mistakes are very rare because of that!
Unser Gesundheitssystem ist nicht wirklich besser
She is correct. Of the last 8 hospital bills I recd, 6 had errors and double charges. Keep your eyes OPEN
I like how you called them Mistakes and not attempted theft passed off as mistakes. Most of the time it is with intent especially with elderly people
Years ago after a hospital stay, I got a bill, and of course questioned it because nothing was broke down an itemized. So when I called them and told them I wanted an itemized statement, they said, well what we sent you is how we bill. And I replied, well I'm not paying a penny of it until I see an "itemized statement" of what I was charged for and how much for each item. They were clearly annoyed and scoffed at me and said that they would look into it and see what they could do.... Seriously, see what you can do?! It took about two months to receive that bill from them. In the meantime they were contacting me for payment. 🤦
Thank you for putting this video out, because there's so many people that just get a bill and just pay it and not question it. We HAVE to be our own advocates!
Btw.... After receiving the bill and going through it very thorough, I was overcharged for some items, and I did qualify for financial medical assistance, so the bill went down significantly.
Also it's worth checking the hospitals website, the ones in my area have links to the financial assistance qualification information 👍
I don't even live in the US but I love how you explain everything, great job👏
I also have gotten a 20 to 25% discount for paying my medical bill in full over the phone just by asking if there was a discount for paying in full today. I saved 3k on my son’s last hospitalization.
Are you trying to normalize being happy about paying $15K out of pocket for a hospitalization? Are you an insurance company shill?
Unfortunately, the majority of Americans will not do this. It is too difficult. This is why medical bankruptcy is the number one form of bankruptcy in the USA. It is easier to just get two forms of medical insurance: a primary and a secondary.
@@c.g.2520 No. If you have Medicare, it is your primary medical insurance and only covers 80%. Hence, why you have to have two forms of medical insurance.
@@c.g.2520So long as both are taken by the facility and both insurances are told about each other so they can coordinate your benefits, they have to bill both. Thats why its Primay and Secondary. ALWAYS make sure your insurances are aware of each other.
It's easier to just die.
Yea they claim they make "mistakes"
Maybe it's cuz medical billing is outsourced to India?
We have large organisations with medical billing vacancies
As someone who has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 yrs this info is 100% accurate. Providers ie Drs, hospitals, clinic and insurance companies are like Banksters, they in the business of making money.. If the American people were smart we would demand Universal healthcare.
Great video (as usual)! This info is so important..... especially considering the recent revelations about Cigna denying 3000 claims a day without even looking at them!
Me in Canada rn
“Breaking a leg and coming out the hospital fee free”
You in Canada - needing a procedure today and being scheduled for it in 6 months.
When I had my first child they charged me for respiratory care when neither I or my daughter ever needed any oxygen.
Erica you are doing your job keep it up Don't stop people need to know. I hate when people get screwed over something that is so basic and simple
As a physician, I completely approve of this video. Genius! And helpful.
How can you afford so many actors for your videos? You always have so many different people on here. Nice job!
Oh my gosh! This also happens in other country. This is happening in Philippines too and not just one hospital. I said this because i had experience. I really talked with the nurse as to why they charged the meds when i fact my patient had not taken it. in other hospital, in emergency, the staff doubled charged my patient's but i discovered it so I made her correct it.
Saying that the overcharging are mistakes is very generous of you.
I don't even know what one would have to do to get a $10,000 medical bill in Japan. My husband had heart surgery and we ended up earning money after the national health insurance, private health insurance and university insurance kicked in. He got a fever on day #2 and was moved to a private room because it was during Covid. I'm sure the original cost was listed, but since we didn't pay, we didn't check. All bills are automatically itemized. I go to a hospital after a sneeze. Over the counter. No way. Costs way more.
I feel lucky living in a country with universal healthcare. No bills to mess around with. 😊
How much do you pay in taxes?
Once an American woman was travelling in Russia, she felt down from the stairs of the mall and they asked me to translate, we offer her to call an ambulance to do the X-ray, she was in pain but kept silent. A man from her group told me she is afraid of the cost. I assure him that all that is for free. Healthcare system in Russia is for free. I was shocked healthcare should be for free everywhere 😢
This says a lot about the US.
@@lancasterpenn nah, her friend told me "told her it is for free", i told her and she agreed and we called and ambulance)
Dag on Erica. Girl you come up with all the good stuff. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you Erica! Going through this right now! Billed over $16,000 for less than 24 hours in hospital & taken against my will. Never received an itemized bill, just the charges. And they refused to take my insurance. Will definitely be using your advice!
Top tip from me... Move to almost any other country. Definitely Europe.
That is surreal to me as European and it's just sad
Yeah... happened to my folks in their elder years. So sad because sick and elderly can't always stay on top of sych things. Made me angry 😠 😤
Our ER bill went from 8k to $600 bucks because we are self employed and asked for a cash pay discount. I don't know how this makes any sense. We also asked for a payment plan, Interest free of $50/ month.
You truly are so helpful. ❤
And in just 12 hours of work per bill you can save a lot of money 😂 is true though. Our hospital charged us for services we declined. Odd that the “errors” are always in there favor.
GREAT VIDEO‼️❤️ Not only the actual info, but the video itself! Really really good!!
This just happened to me at my Dentist. I was billed $112.00 for a cleaning that was covered by insurance. The DDS Office failed to schedule appointment at 6 months. The appointment was 6 days shy of 6 months causing it to not be paid by insurance. It was their fault and insurance told them so and that I did not owe for their mistake. Check your statements and keep receipts.
Living in the USA seems to be so hard
As a English person the fact of having to pay for going to the hospital seems crazy
Not everyone does. Most people in this country have insurance, either government-run or private. Most people have private insurance, but others, like the poor, pregnant women, disabled, and elderly, have government insurance of some kind, either Medicare or Medicaid, sometimes both. The difference is that one is federal, the other one is state-run, and every state has a Medicaid program. Plus, there are charities here that help those in need, should they be unable to find assistance through the normal channels. Hospitals have special funds available to assist low income families, but you have to call.
We’re not some unfortunate place that’s like the wild Wild West. There are actually very few people who don’t have insurance. It’s actually rare to see someone pay a crazy amount.
@@ntmn8444well I know someone who lives in the States and had to spend a whole night in the ER. The total amount of the bill was several thousand dollars, but she "only" had to pay several hundred dollars because she had insurance.
So yup, as a French resident, I think she deserves all my pity because she lives in a very unfortunate place.
@@ntmn8444*upper middle class and the wealthy are the ones who have health insurance. The rest of us don’t get medical check ups at all and are just waiting for undiagnosed cancer to claim us.
EODs are available online, and usually mailed to you as well. Don't waste time or frustration by calling your insurance company.
She's right! I work in insurance. Most of the time you're charged for something twice or charged for a service you didn't receive. Also, your insurance company always makes errors because they usually use an automated system to process claims.
Please do not over generalize by saying “most”. My experience in tertiary hospital revenue cycle would argue otherwise.
Thank you for being so helpful but in the same time, I am so sick of being rip off by this system that companies have created. No on is there to care about you.
i watched this whole thing then realised "wait i live in Canada i don't have medical bills" 💀
Yes and you can’t get an appointment with a specialist for months. Don’t even ask for an MRI either… that wait is 4-6 months.
Same 😂
You have big tax bills instead.
@@davegaetano7118 still better than even bigger medical bills
@@maryannrogers8675myth
This is such great advice. I got a $30,000 bill written off by the hospital because of financial assistance. It was such a relief.
I love living in the uk with the nhs
I’m English so this was fascinating 😳
Thank you for the video, it is very helpful because hospitals are expensive.
You shouldn’t have to call your insurance company for an Explanation of Benefits (and wait on hold for an hour). Unless you opted out of mailings, they are required by law to send this to you if there is a patient liability. Check your “junk mail”
Or your member portal for PDF copies
"That’s why i follow her"
Indeed and thank you ❤
We love your videos!!
Me living in the uk not having to pay for medical bills
You pay higher taxes.
Don’t be afraid to double check procedures either. I just had an eye doctor put the wrong lens in for my cataract surgery .
Godbless savvy chicks like you…there’s not too many of y’all around…always dropping gems.
So I went to the hospital for a headache with stroke like symptoms (became illiberal suddenly, lost feeling in left arm, left eye went black and couldn’t see anything, facial paralysis, etc) turns out it was a complicated migraine (which have stroke like symptoms) so later I get the bill, after insurance 4,700 for a two hour stay which included one iv of fluid, Benadryl, a mri, and one other medication for nausea. Ended up submitting my tax return form to show them I’m just a college student and boom charges were dropped and were paid through a charity
I live in Belarus. A few years ago needed emergency surgery on my stomach, spent 12 days in the hospital. Payed nothing
I hope I never have to follow your advice but if I do I'm so glad I sub to you ❤️
You are awesome gf!
And these people don't make mistakes on your bills they are trying to bleed us dry!
Awesome advice! I live in a country that has free healthcare along with paid (with varying quality between them, obviously), but I still appreciate such educations about law. Keep it up!
Another tip - Lots of medical bills will provide a discount if you pay in full. This can be helpful if you do not qualify for financial assistance. Ask if they offer a discount if you pay the whole thing bill. Even for small bills this can be used.
as a canadian i can sit back and be amused by this video
I’ve worked in medical insurance for over 20 years. She is absolutely correct! Make sure they are billing the correct codes covered by your plan. It can make a difference in commercial vs government plans.
I use to work at a medical billing company, she'd absolutely right!
Yup! And don’t think all the blame goes to insurance companies. Medical facilities are incredibly greedy!!
Especially Norton Healthcare. I have ALWAYS had to wrestle with their billing department!
Thank you 😍 just subscribed, I hope more and more people create content like this.. its like having a financial advisor/lawyer's opinion for free! Like they create content that actually helps not just for subscribers/money/popularity.
Im so glad I discovered your videos, Erika. Thank you for what you're doing.
I needed this and the universe answered with you!! I had preregistration call me to get me to pay before my surgery and now I know how to handle it
I had to prepay for a procedure and it took TWO years to finally be reimbursed after the insurance also paid the surgeon for the same service. Eventually the insurance Co is the ones who refunded me and took back their PMT from the surgeon since I already paid them. It's crazy how often this happens. Stay in top of both to make sure you get your money back if the insurance pays them too.
@@nonniwilliams2220 I was able to stand my ground and ask to be billed, I got another call the day before surgery and asked the same, she made a note. I was preparing myself to have to say it again the morning of but I saw on her sheet “asked to be billed” and she never asked for the copay. Phew
Recovering from procedure now and will wait for bill to triple check and deal with through insurance.
I'm too European to understand this.
This is why, after every hospital visit I promise myself that I will just die next time rather than go back to a hospital… lucky for me I have a low tolerance to pain
Wow! You guys really need universal healthcare, it's very concerning when someone thinks this, even for a second.
‘Hey insurance company”…. Love it!
Thank you!!! I’m about to get a huge bill so this was greatly appreciated!!
Why I live in Canada👍
Actually you probably live in Canada because you were born there.
That's why care is on the end of the practice
Foot Care
Dental Care
Emergency care
Sounds like they actually care
Yep. Got a bill in the mail for a sleep test my husband did. The description just said "sleep test", but there wasn't a code to compare, and we already paid our portion of the test itself. When I called up the hospital to request an itemized bill, the chart, the codes... I was told I had to file a dispute. Fine. Less than a week later, we got a new bill stating the actual reason for the cost (the dr that read and interpreted the results).
I usually hate lawyers but your one of the good ones 🙏🏿❤️
Thankfully I live in a country with universal health care.
You are great and really helpful ❤❤
My bill was alkost 10k for my son's birth. We have no insurance. I asked for an itemized breakdown - it was insane! Emergency resucitation $1200, clamps $60 each, trays $80 each, etc etc...i called billing, "Emergency resucitation didn't happen. If i paid $60 for 10 clamps, I'm coming to pick them up..." i went line by line. "Sorry sir, that's not how this works." Was their first genius. 'Please transfer me to your supervisor'. That happened a couple times - 1.5 hrs later my bill was down to $2400. They make sooooo much money on stupid consumers trusting insurance, stupid insurance trusting hospitals, hospitals laughing all the way to the bank while insurance just keeps going up since people are paying triple or more for what is already expensive.
These are all fantastic tips! My mother actually did this as a job for a company! She made a lot of money because she saved them soooo much money! This is definitely worth the time. Also, check with your state to see if the following law applies... in some states... once you make a payment, of any amount, and the medical facility accepts it, then that creates a contract that you will pay that amount per month, until the balance is paid off. (Example: $300 balance, you pay $20. Hospital accepts payment. Then you only have to pay $20 per mo until $300 is paid off.) I'm not for sure where this law is still in place across the US, please check your individual state! Best wishes to everyone dealing with meducal bills!❤
Sucks that we have to do all this. Healthcare should be free first of all and 2nd we shouldn’t have to do all this just to be treated with honesty.
Thank you for the tips
How to not pay medical bills - I do this
Live in a country with free healthcare
Also, keeping track of the dates you received care are important. If you have insurance and have met your yearly, in network, out of pocket, any services rendered after the date you met it on, in network, are free. Also, if you have Medicare and there is only a short time between hospital visits, they may be covered by the same copay.
What a Public Service you're doing. Thank You. America 🇺🇸 1st Patriots.