Can You Agree On COVID-19 Hospital Bills?

According to recent research from the University of Michigan and Boston University, because health insurance companies have scaled back exemptions for COVID-19 hospital fees, a COVID-19 hospitalization might result in a stunningly large bill from healthcare providers.

The average out-of-pocket expenditure for persons with private insurance who were billed for a COVID-19 hospitalization from March 2020 to March 2021 was about $4,000. The average bill for persons on Medicare Advantage was around $1,600. This covered hospitalization as well as physical treatment.

It can be frustrating to confront a large medical expense for something out of your control, especially if COVID-19 kept you from working for a period or left you with long-term health concerns. Hospital expenses, on the other hand, can sometimes be reduced or bargained down. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Sort Through Your COVID-19 Hospital Costs.

Gather your paperwork, including all of your bills, your insurance card, and any benefit descriptions you've received. Examine your COVID-19 hospital invoices to ensure that you recognize all of the expenses.

"Do you recall receiving that MRI?" asks AnnMarie McIlwain, CEO of New Jersey-based Patient Advocators. (Patient advocates assist clients with medical difficulties ranging from locating the best therapy to dealing with billing and insurance issues.) "Did you speak with that gastroenterologist? There are usually bogus charges on bills that should not be there."

Also, double-check that your insurance appears to have handled each claim accurately. A processed claim will typically reflect a plan discount and allowable claim amount, as well as any reimbursement from the plan if your deductible for the year has been reached.

"There's a risk they didn't file if you don't see a payment or adjustment," says Jennifer Kastner, owner of Patient Advocacy Solutions in Georgia. Your insurance company may have also refused the claim, so contact them before you begin working on a bill adjustment.

Inquire About Financial Aid.

Whether you have a greater medical debt than you can handle, contact the hospital billing office to see if you qualify for financial aid or relief. This is frequently referred to as benevolent aid.

"The worst they can say is 'No,'" says Caitlin Donovan, a Patient Advocate Foundation spokesman located in Virginia.

If you intend to seek aid, you will need some basic financial information. "You'll want to know how much you make in a year, how much you can afford to pay every year, and how much you can afford to pay ahead," Donovan adds.

You can also inquire about a payment plan, which will allow you to spread out the payment of your medical cost. These often do not carry interest, making them a better alternative than putting a large medical bill on your credit card or taking out a loan. "You won't have to worry about medical costs appearing on your credit record, which isn't what you want," Donovan adds.

Just be sure you can afford the monthly payments in the long run. "You don't want to get into a scenario where you can't afford to pay that payment and it goes to collections, or you make corners in other areas of your life where you shouldn't," Donovan adds.

Make A Monetary Offer.

Try it if you can give an all-cash payment for a significant portion of the amount.

"Cash is a word they want to hear at the billing office, and if you're prepared to pay something off promptly and in cash, they will sometimes offer you a percentage off," McIlwain explains. "I'd think 20% [discount] is a decent figure to suggest."

However, McIlwain believes that if you're feeling overwhelmed by the debt, you're probably not in a position to make an 80% payment on the amount.

Personal Appeal

If you need assistance with a bill from a local hospital, inquire if you may visit the billing office or billing window.

"It's a lot more difficult not to have compassion for someone when they're there in front of you," McIlwain adds.

If you are unable to attend in person, try to remain calm over the phone. Make the person on the other end of the phone an ally in your quest to address this issue. Getting furious or enraged is a normal emotion, but it will not help. "They're more likely to attempt to get you off the phone fast when you let emotion get the best of you," McIlwain adds.

Maintain Accurate Records.

Keep account of every step you take as you begin this procedure. Keep a notepad or a digital document or spreadsheet with a note for every phone conversation, letter mailed, and the person you speak with (and what they say). Make a note of any messages you send through a patient portal. The better your records, the more ready you'll be to justify how hard you've worked to pay your account.

Another tip: Always ask for a reference number when chatting with the insurance company

"These individuals get a lot of calls every day," Kastner adds. "You want to be able to refer to reference numbers."

If You Require Assistance, Hire It.

It is possible that, despite your best efforts, you are unable to resolve a debilitating medical cost or find it too burdensome. A patient advocate may be able to assist you. This is someone who can call your medical providers, the hospital, your insurance, and any other parties engaged on your behalf. Patient advocates typically have prior experience in areas such as health care, insurance, and medical billing.

Prices for this might vary. Some groups charge a fixed fee, while others take a percentage of the amount saved. Patients with significant or chronic health conditions are eligible for free services from the Patient Advocate Foundation.

"One of the issues with the system as a whole is that we're talking about individuals who are sick, exhausted, and coping with new diagnoses," Donovan adds. "And we're expecting a lot from them." So, whether it's just having a family member on the phone or contacting a professional for support, asking for help is always a good idea."