David Matteo
2010-01-25 23:43:09 UTC
http://www.fraudguides.com/medical-hospital-billing-errors.asp
[excerpt]
Simple mistakes in billing made during or after your hospital stay can
cost you a bundle or even ruin you financially
Even the simplest medical procedure can cost tens of thousands of
dollars. One error could add several thousand dollars to an already
hefty bill. Even if your insurance does cover the entire bill the excess
cost will be passed along to you eventually in the form of higher
insurance premiums so it's in everyone's best interest to detect and
correct hospital billing errors.
Overcharges are one of the most common billing errors. Duplication is
another common billing mistake. If you see the same charge listed more
than once you should ask the hospital why.
You can also get help from the consumer protection office of your
state's attorney general.
According to comments made by Bill Hahon of the National Health Care
Anti-Fraud Association, "These professionals have sprung up because
there are so many errors. They are saving people money, and sometimes
it's a lot of money."
Medical Billing Advocates of America is one of professional companies
mentioned by Mr. Hahon. Based in Salem, Va., it operates in 18 states
and the District of Columbia. These companies often work on a
contingency basis, indicating they get paid a percentage of the total
amount they save you. However, that percentage often runs as high as
half, so make sure you understand their charges before putting them to work.
It is also alleged that many not-for-profit hospitals habitually
overcharge uninsured and underinsured patients while maintaining their
tax exempt status in the United States. While avoiding taxation, the
hospitals continue to accumulate profit by charging patients with
anything but charitable rates.
These hospitals have engaged in the practice of charging inflated and
inordinate rates for medical care to uninsured patients, while providing
discounts to insured patients and those on Medicare or Medicaid. Also,
the hospitals routinely utilize aggressive, abusive, and oppressive
collection practices to recover this inflated medical debt. These
practices include lawsuits filed against patients who are poor and indigent.
[excerpt]
Simple mistakes in billing made during or after your hospital stay can
cost you a bundle or even ruin you financially
Even the simplest medical procedure can cost tens of thousands of
dollars. One error could add several thousand dollars to an already
hefty bill. Even if your insurance does cover the entire bill the excess
cost will be passed along to you eventually in the form of higher
insurance premiums so it's in everyone's best interest to detect and
correct hospital billing errors.
Overcharges are one of the most common billing errors. Duplication is
another common billing mistake. If you see the same charge listed more
than once you should ask the hospital why.
You can also get help from the consumer protection office of your
state's attorney general.
According to comments made by Bill Hahon of the National Health Care
Anti-Fraud Association, "These professionals have sprung up because
there are so many errors. They are saving people money, and sometimes
it's a lot of money."
Medical Billing Advocates of America is one of professional companies
mentioned by Mr. Hahon. Based in Salem, Va., it operates in 18 states
and the District of Columbia. These companies often work on a
contingency basis, indicating they get paid a percentage of the total
amount they save you. However, that percentage often runs as high as
half, so make sure you understand their charges before putting them to work.
It is also alleged that many not-for-profit hospitals habitually
overcharge uninsured and underinsured patients while maintaining their
tax exempt status in the United States. While avoiding taxation, the
hospitals continue to accumulate profit by charging patients with
anything but charitable rates.
These hospitals have engaged in the practice of charging inflated and
inordinate rates for medical care to uninsured patients, while providing
discounts to insured patients and those on Medicare or Medicaid. Also,
the hospitals routinely utilize aggressive, abusive, and oppressive
collection practices to recover this inflated medical debt. These
practices include lawsuits filed against patients who are poor and indigent.