Can We Fix the Horrifically Damaged Healthcare Billing System?
For decades, we had heard that the healthcare system was in dire need of being “fixed”. Then, the Affordable Care Act was born and implemented in an effort to assist uninsured Americans who, in the past, had not been able to afford healthcare insurance.
While it can’t be denied that the ACA has its positive aspects, it still leaves much to be desired in regards to our healthcare system as a whole.
Now that the ACA is well under way, an old problem within the healthcare system remains untouched, for the most part. This problem is the manner in which healthcare facilities are allowed to bill patients, with prices based on no real formula or algorithm, but simply for any amount the leaders of a healthcare system wish.
Charges between facilities within the same geographical location can vary greatly and the facility charging the greater amount for the same care answers to no one.
Is this fair? Of course not. But, unfortunately, this is the manner in which numerous hospitals across the country operate. And there are not any regulations in place for this type of behavior, except that a facility must charge the same amount for a procedure, service or item across the board.
Until medical billing advocates were born from the efforts of Pat Palmer, founder and CEO of Medical Recovery Services and Medical Billing Advocates of America, most patients didn’t even realize they were being overcharged for services. Now, because of Pat’s advocacy, we know better.
So the question remains, Can this healthcare billing system be fixed? Yes, but not without persistence and diligent training.
How do we begin?
One person at a time. Sound difficult and time consuming? It will be. But we didn’t get into this medical mess overnight, either.
When Pat was asked the first steps we can take, she advised that everyone request a detailed, itemized statement for every medical bill they receive. Not just the large ones, but every medical bill.
Get into the habit of asking for this vital document from the medical billing department. Once you receive this document, analyze it. Don’t just give it a once over, but really, really scrutinize every line item.
Question everything. Do you remember getting every service the statement claims you received? Would there have been any reason not to receive certain medications for which you have been billed (for example, would you have taken a drug to which you are allergic?).
These might seem like obvious steps to take, but would you have thought to take these steps? Or would you have trusted the facility to whom you trust your health with your financial well-being as well? Last time I checked, my local hospitals were not financial advisors and do not have my best financial interests at heart.
Thanks to Pat Palmer and her 20 years of dedicated service to the nation’s consumers, raising awareness of abusive medical billing practices and fighting for “True & Accurate” charges and “Fair & Reasonable” prices on medical bills, we have a leg to stand on when confronting healthcare giants.
