Lawmakers have placed pressure on healthcare providers and institutions for transparency with medical fees, however, the information posted online by hospitals is difficult to understand. Assessing an approximate cost for procedures, treatment, and hospital stays remains guesswork, which makes it difficult for consumers to calculate medical expenses in advance. For the time being, consumers might only be left with a defensive strategy as it concerns fighting facility fees.
How can consumers combat against inflated hospital and physician costs? In a June 2019 Consumer Reports article, there is a choice of actions you could take either before or after incurring facility fees, and it could prove helpful to you:
Medical
Primary Care Doctor: We are all tasked with managing our own healthcare and can no longer expect our doctors to do this for us. However, developing a relationship with your doctor remains an important part of your self-care. This way, it becomes easier for you to ask some of the difficult questions unrelated to treatment. Schedule appointments often, especially if you take medication, and the next time you schedule an appointment, ask the front desk if the practice charges a facility fee. If so, get information on fee structure. Remember, it's your money and you have the right to know where your dollars go.
Diagnostic Services/Specialists: It's no secret doctors have a network of other physicians and diagnostic centers they refer to their patients. It's a lot easier for your doctor to provide a name of a preferred provider he or she has used for years than to look up someone new. Plus, it's human nature to refer a patient to a resource that has some commonalities. So, if your doctor is associated with a medical center or healthcare services-owned facility, chances are the referral will be too. You'll need to do your homework and find out the referral's facility fee, if there is one.
As an added note, in the 2019 article from Consumer Reports, hospitals were mandated in 2016 to notify patients if their doctor, or outpatient facility, had changed ownership to a hospital. Estimated facility fees were also supposed to have been included in these notices. Keep this in mind when speaking with your doctor's office.
Additionally, you can conduct your own online search if you want to inquire about hospital fees, hospital facility fees, or facility fees. In your browser, type the name of the relevant hospital followed by the keywords "chargemaster" or "billing." This may help with your hospital bills.
Insurance
Insurance Provider: Uncovering whether there is a facility fee and verifying it's covered by your insurance provider are two different things. If you're able to uncover the facility fee charge, then contact your medical insurance provider and ask if the excess fee is covered by your policy. If it is, confirm the amount the policy will reimburse. It might even be worthwhile for you to have a conversation with your insurance provider in advance of any medical care. This way, if you decide to change doctors because of facility fee practices, better to do this in advance of any treatment.
Negotiation: If you find yourself in a situation where you require immediate care and incur facility fees, then you might be able to negotiate the fee with the healthcare provider. Even suggest their waiving the expense, but if this isn't possible, discuss reducing the amount. As well, you can negotiate with your insurance provider regarding their coverage of the charge. If you don't feel comfortable negotiating fees, you could consider turning to the services of a medical billing advocate to help you.
Appeal: Additionally, you have the right to appeal an insurance decision. The appeal process can be lengthy and complicated. While you can manage your own appeals, retaining an advocate with medical debt specialization could be advantageous to you. Specialists like Human Health Advocates could not only relieve you of the stress of an appeal, but also offer negotiation expertise.
Keep in mind it's your decision whether or not to proceed with specific medical care, and you have a choice with where you receive your treatment. Electing whether to proceed with recommended care or go to another provider is your decision. Knowing in advance about any additional costs you might incur can help you to plan financially.
Are you ready to fight facility fees? Contact Human Health Advocates today for a free consultation.