It may seem a bit 'boring at first, checking the bill hospital as soon as you save for your records, you can save hundreds. Here are 10 hospitals in the most common mistakes are to begin the funding process. As always, if you do not understand something, do not wear afraid to ask the billing department to describe the position in the "sense" or attach a copy of the invoice to follow-up appointment with your doctor. He / she may be surprised by some of theTaxes!
1) DUPLICATE statement. Make sure you do not pay twice for the same service, supplies, or drugs.
2) the repetition of experiments. Be sure to ask your doctor, the type and frequency of blood tests, x-rays and medical procedures that have to do.
3) Number of days in hospital. Check the dates of admission and discharge. They were calculated to meet the day? Most hospitals can be read for the day of admission, but not the day of discharge.
4)INCORRECT ROOM CHARGES. If you were in a semi-private room, make sure you're not being charged for a private room.
5) OPERATING-ROOM TIME. It's not uncommon for hospitals to bill for more time than you actually used. Compare the charge with your anesthesiologist's records.
6) UP-CODING. Hospitals often shift the charge for a lower-cost service or medication to one that's more costly. For example, a doctor may order a generic drug, but you are charged for a pricier brand name.
7) KEYSTROKE ERROR. A computer operator accidentally hits the wrong key on a keyboard. This can cost you hundreds of dollars and result in an incorrect charge for a service you didn't get.
8) CANCELED WORK. Your physician ordered an expensive test and then canceled it, but you were charged anyway.
9) SERVICES NEVER RENDERED. Did you get every service, treatment and medication for which you are being billed? Here's where your log will come in handy.
10) ERRONEOUS CHARGES. This could be a charge for a 70-cent I.V or for a "mucous recovery system" (otherwise known as a box of Kleenex).
If you find a mistake, contact the hospital's patient accounts or billing department and ask to talk to a supervisor immediately. Calmly explain the errors you found, and ask the person to correct the mistakes and acknowledge the corrections in writing with an "effective date." Do not let them assume your insurance company will cover the bill. Ultimately, you will be paying for it in the end. If you are unable to resolve the billing dispute in a timely manner, be sure to make copies and send your complaint in writing with a copy of the bill to the Office of Consumer Affairs of you State's Attorney General's Office.
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