A couple of years ago a nurse practitioner engaged me in a health conversation during a routine exam. Later she charged me hundreds of dollars for the discussion. If I had known I would have to pay hundreds of dollars to engage in a conversation about a health topic, I would not have engaged in the discussion as I could have easily looked up the information on the website. I contested the charge, but lost the contest. I felt cheated.
Recently, during another routine medical procedure, the doctor asked me if I wanted A or B. I chose B thinking it was better, but not realizing that it was a much greater cost. No one told me that. Then I was billed thousands of dollars for the routine procedure, a procedure that my health care typically covers. I called my health care agency who told me not to pay the bill yet the bill keeps arriving each month. Again I will contest this charge, but I know the contest will take me hours of phone calling and research.
These two events have made me wonder about how many are cheated by bogus health care bills and decisions for which they don't have enough information about the cost of the procedures.
How can we better protect ourselves against medical procedures and costs we don't need? Any ideas?
Recently, during another routine medical procedure, the doctor asked me if I wanted A or B. I chose B thinking it was better, but not realizing that it was a much greater cost. No one told me that. Then I was billed thousands of dollars for the routine procedure, a procedure that my health care typically covers. I called my health care agency who told me not to pay the bill yet the bill keeps arriving each month. Again I will contest this charge, but I know the contest will take me hours of phone calling and research.
These two events have made me wonder about how many are cheated by bogus health care bills and decisions for which they don't have enough information about the cost of the procedures.
How can we better protect ourselves against medical procedures and costs we don't need? Any ideas?