| Medical Bill Negotiation companies are familiar with | | | | health plans in combination with a Health Savings |
| the discounts negotiated by large companies, | | | | Account as the best way to insure themselves. |
| insurance companies, PPO networks, and other big | | | | These plans are much less expensive than copay |
| players, so are familiar with what the "lowest | | | | plans, and offer a tax deduction for any money |
| available price" might be. If you use one of | | | | you put aside to cover future medical expenses. |
| these services, you only pay if they are indeed | | | | But they do have high deductibles, so you still |
| able to negotiate a discount. | | | | want to pay as little as possible before your |
| Lower Those Medical Expenses! | | | | insurance coverage kicks in. |
| Being swamped with medical expenses isn't | | | | The Medical Bill Negotiator |
| anyone's idea of the "American Dream", but many | | | | With a medical bill negotiator you can easily try to |
| are living through it anyway. One of the biggest | | | | lower your medical bills. Most companies will |
| problems associated with this catastrophe has | | | | require that you have a minimum of $200 in the |
| nothing to do with the amount of times you visit | | | | bill you need reduced. You can sometimes use the |
| the doctor annually, but the amount charged by | | | | website of the negotiating company to submit |
| the hospitals you visit. | | | | your claim or you can mail or fax it in. Once the |
| Finding the prices at various hospitals can seem | | | | negotiator receives it, they will be able to |
| impossible and would take some calling and | | | | compare the prices for the same services at |
| probing around to get list prices or ranges of | | | | different health providers in the geographical area. |
| actual rates. In fact, if you are able to get a "price | | | | If there are lower prices, the negotiator will |
| sheet" from the insurance company, the prices | | | | contact the health provider of the claim and |
| you will see will be rarely paid by any of their | | | | attempt to negotiate a lower rate. If successful, |
| visitors. That is because large companies, PPO | | | | the individual will split the savings (usually around |
| networks, and Health Maintenance Organizations all | | | | 70% for the individual and the rest for the |
| negotiate special discounts for their employees | | | | company). If the negotiation wasn't successful, |
| and members. | | | | the individual doesn't have to pay a penny. |
| By using medical bill negotiation services (special | | | | Individuals are saving anywhere from 5 to 80% |
| rates are sometimes available with some Health | | | | by using a medical bill negotiating services. Bill |
| Savings Account providers), individuals can keep | | | | negotiation services report savings of 20-37% for |
| their medical bills smaller and Health Savings | | | | imaging and radiology, 15 - 33% for anesthesia, 10 |
| Accounts larger. With this type of service, you | | | | - 80% at surgery centers, and 5 - 48% on |
| can get the same discounted prices the above | | | | dialysis. Patient advocates are available with most |
| entities receive or better, with no up-front costs. | | | | companies to assist you and discuss the medical |
| This could end up lowering your medical exposure | | | | claims you have. |
| by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. | | | | Saving Money is the Main Goal |
| Many may wonder how they can tell whether or | | | | In this time of rising gas prices and a falling stock |
| not they are getting a good deal or not, especially | | | | market, keeping more money in your Health |
| if they are paying for a high deductible health plan. | | | | Savings Account is an everyday hassle. Anything |
| Even if you have a PPO or other insurance | | | | that can help individuals save money is something |
| provider that offers lower medical expenses, you | | | | that should be looked into. This can be even more |
| don't necessarily have the guarantee of getting | | | | achievable by using your Health Savings Account |
| the lowest rates. A good bill negotiation service will | | | | and a medical bill negotiator. |
| have an indepth understanding of the costs, and | | | | One shouldn't have to pay retail prices for |
| lowest available prices in a geographic area. | | | | prescriptions drugs or lab tests - it is always wise |
| Getting a Good Deal on Health Care | | | | to do comparison-shopping. An HSA-qualified |
| There are many ways to lower your annual | | | | health insurance plan can allow individuals to save |
| medical cost. The first way is to simply be a good | | | | money in their Health Savings Account to pay for |
| consumer. Just like with any other purchase, it is | | | | medical expenses. Individuals can also save money |
| important to look around for the best value, and | | | | on medical expenses by allowing an insurance |
| don't be afraid to bargain. Individuals don't typically | | | | agent to shop around for affordable coverage |
| have the negotiating power to talk down medical | | | | each year. |
| expenses with a health care provider, which is | | | | Taking responsibility of medical expenses is what |
| why it important to use a service that can do | | | | every American should do; and by using these |
| this. | | | | types of services, more money can be saved |
| Millions of people are now choosing high deductible | | | | each year. |