From Money:

Check for any discrepancies that could be corrected by the hospital, including charges for medication, services or equipment you didn’t receive. You’re entitled to dispute any inaccuracies, and doing so could potentially save you a significant amount of money. Plus, the itemized bill can serve as a tax record. Keep track of your care After you leave the hospital, it’s important to keep careful records of your treatment. Keep track of the medications you’re prescribed, follow-up appointments, and instructions from your doctors and nurses. Donovan says doing so can be invaluable, especially if any surprise complications arise down the line. Keep a file with all the bills and records related to your care, because you never know when you might need to refer back to it. Follow up afterwards Patricia Kelmar says it’s common for patients to receive erroneous bills even after their insurance company has paid for their care. “There are so many opportunities for error along the way,” she says. Be sure to carefully review every bill you receive. If something doesn’t look right, contact the billing department and request a detailed explanation. Negotiate One in four Americans admitted to a hospital report being surprised by a bill they thought would be covered by their insurance, according to a survey from the National Patient Advocate Foundation. If you’re stricken by sticker shock, you could push back. You can dispute high charges and negotiate for more affordable payment plans or an overall reduction in price. Conversely, if funds are tight, you might be able to secure a waiver of a portion of your bill or qualify for financial assistance. The Takeaway With the potential for enormous medical bills to arise after visits to hospitals, especially if an ongoing condition means multiple visits and/or stays, it’s important to be proactive in minimizing costs and maximizing the value of your care. Always know your insurance coverage and be aware of any legislation that may protect you. It’s also important to have a plan in place for navigating your care from beginning through the billing process, following up diligently to minimize potential errors and costs. And always be prepared to negotiate and question charges in the event you end up getting hit with a steep bill. The information above is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad



Read more: An Expert Guide to Hospitals and Saving Money