As a patient, figuring out upcoming medical procedures along with what insurance will cover or predicting total out-of-pocket costs can prove extremely difficult. Healthcare billing possesses its own complex lexicon of terminology, codes, and insurance intricacies often unclear to those on the receiving end. But arming yourself with some background and strategies will help you feel empowered tackling the ins and outs of impending healthcare expenses.
Talking with Your Doctor
When your physician orders any test, referral, or procedure, always discuss upfront why it was recommended, how it will affect your diagnosis/treatment, risks involved and if alternatives options exist. Understanding the clinical rationale and necessity will help you later assess associated charges and insurance coverage when bills arrive. Ask explicitly if they recommend going out-of-network for specialized care and implications for cost. Inquire also about support staff availability to explain insurance pre-authorizations, billing intricacies and more as and when needed.
Procedure Coding Complexities
Medical coding forms the backbone of billing systems. Every diagnosis, treatment, test, surgery and service corresponds to an alphanumeric shorthand code used by providers, facilities and insurers. For example, ICD codes classify medical diagnoses while CPT codes define medical procedures and HCPCS Level II codes represent devices, supplies, or services. Facilities also assign arcane revenue codes to aggregate billing for rooms, services, and OTC items. This coded catalog of care renders costs near impossible to estimate as a patient given the dependence on negotiated reimbursement rates and insurance plan specifics.
Estimating Out-of-Pocket Costs
While daunting, there are strategies to project costs. Call insurance member services referencing procedure/diagnosis codes provided on referrals along with doctor or facility names scheduled for better accuracy on coverage and ‘allowable’ procedure reimbursement rates based on plan, network status, and deductible details. Seek facility cost estimates referencing codes for self-pay upfront rates. Online searchable databases like Find-A-Code.com allow diagnostic code lookup. As a last resort, when facing large upfront payments, ask about payment plans or financial assistance programs – be persistent. Know your rights and appeal processes for denied claims.
Making Sense of Bills
After care comes resultant explanation of benefits (EOB) forms and medical bills containing initially shocking charge figures that often prompt calls of confusion to billing offices. Prudent first steps include confirming it was not accidentally sent to the wrong patient and requesting a detailed itemized bill for every consumable, treatment, medicine, test, or room fee charge. Comb meticulously for errors or double billings. From there, dive into deciphering the coding via online diagnostic code look-up sites when terminology seems unclear. Remember, the elevated ‘charges’ serve as initial billing requests. The succeeding EOB ‘adjustments’ column shows the pre-negotiated ‘allowable’ rates actually paid by insurance. Deduct any upfront payments and the remainder is your burden as per insurance policies.
Activating Patient Advocacy
If facing major procedures, high deductibles, or coverage denials, engaging personal patient advocates may prove wise. For a flat fee or percentage of savings achieved, certified advocates know how to navigate insurance appeals, spot excessive charges, exploit financial assistance offerings and reinforce your position as an overwhelmed patient for vastly reduced out-of-pocket costs through their billing expertise and persistence. Regardless, arm yourself with coding lookups, proactive cost estimates and insurance plan literacy.
Conclusion
Today’s medical billing landscape certainly presents a steep learning curve for new patients. But through concerted efforts to discuss recommended care with providers, research procedure coding specifics, get cost projections, pore over billing itemizations post-care while appealing insurance denials or accessing financial assistance programs, patients can dampen the stresses and unpredictability healthcare expenses often multiply during vulnerable times seeking improved health and wellbeing.