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Be proactive, track your health care bills

admin • Sep 26, 2013

Over the past 24 years I have seen a very big problem consistently show up consumers’ credit reports: Many people who have had medical issues think their medical care was paid for by insurance, only to see the unpaid bills end up in pursuit for back payment.

This is a minor problem for consumers. It costs a person’s credit score 45 points for each unpaid bill turned over for collections. But there are things you can do to educate yourself about the issue and avoid this mistake.

If you go to a doctor or clinic, the visit is given a code by a medical transcriber, who them submits the code to your insurance company. This does not mean the bill will be paid automatically. Given how complicated coverage is these days, it’s quite possible the bill will not get paid, and the whole time you may think it has been.

You have been proactive with your health care and make sure you follow the process from the doctor to insurance company.  I have been through six major surgeries myself and I learned this from personal experience. It is important to always make sure to have your hospital bills audited.

I personally was charged $700 for prescription, and when audit was done it turned out to be a $700 box of tissue. As you can see, it’s best to make sure to have your medical bills audited, which you can request from the hospital.

If the insurance is being billed correctly and they are hesitating to pay, this is another issue to look into. The New Mexico Department Of Insurance (DOI) governs all insurance companies, and no insurance company wants your claim to be investigated, only to be looked into.

Remember, be proactive. And until next time, good credit to you.

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