The Capsule

The Capsule

Topics of Interest and Humor

Did You Know?

This year the Annual Medicare Enrollment period is earlier? Medicare members can make changes to their plan beginning on October 15th and ending on December 7th. Be looking for any change notifications from your existing plan in the mail late September to mid October! Check back with us soon for Medicare Updates.

Reducing Medical Debt

Proactively planning for medical costs can be the best way to reduce your risk of medical debt. Many seniors today face great challenges in balancing their health care costs with their day to day living expenses. The single best thing you can do is to be an informed health care consumer. Be aware of how your health care policy works, what is covered and not covered, and how to follow your health plan's rules. Unless you have a crystal ball however, health care costs are not always something that can be planned ahead. With this in mind it is important to keep the following ideas in mind to help reduce the possibility of medical debt when it arises.

1. Speak with your hospital or physician's billing office. Often times they will be willing to work with you to break your bill into easier planned payments. As long as payments are regularly made on time, providers are quite often willing to work with you.

2. Some providers may be able to give you a discount. The office may be willing to reduce the cost of a visit if partial payment is received up front.

3. Review your bills carefully. If you cannot understand them, call the billing department and ask for help. Keep an eye out for unused services which show up on your bill. This may not necessarily mean fraud, it may be a simple billing mistake.

4. If your bill simply shows you a final amount without explanation, contact the billing office and ask for an itemized statement. It is much easier to understand what each charge is for and how much was paid.

5. Hiring a professional to review your medical bills and do research on your behalf may be a great idea. Often the professionals can find errors or assist you in understanding your bills to reduce overpayment in the future. CARE NAVIGATORS can help with this!

6. Financial Assistance- There are programs offered by pharmaceutical companies and state and local organizations which offer discounts and assistance with medical costs.

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