Tips to help!

Using Credit for Medical Treatments: Likely a Bad Idea.

Lending companies and healthcare professionals are teaming up to provide credit cards and lines of credit for medical services.  Please take precautions before signing up for any of these credit options. Interest rates for patients can go up to 27.99%. Be careful! Doctor's and Dentist are paying 7.5% to 14% of their fees to the Lender for these options.  So obviously that cost will be passed on to you, the consumer. Once you have made payment via a credit card or loan you lose your ability to negotiate.  It is difficult to negotiate for ourselves sometimes so get a family member or friend to do it for you.  (Be sure to provide in writing authorization for that friend or family member to speak on your behalf to the medical professional provider.) Most all medical service providers allow 20 to 30% off if you will just ask.  They may also be willing to negotiate payment plans. 

Try not to feel pressured into taking the credit options presented to you in the doctor's or dentist office. Stop, breathe, walk away and think! 


Here are some things you can do.

• Check your credit report. Yes, believe it or not this is very important. Hospitals can now check your credit reports and if they see you have an open line of credit they may put extreme pressure on you to use that available credit to pay for a bill incurred during an emergency situation.  They may also pressure you to put upcoming expenses on that open account. If you have open lines of credit you are not using, or know you cannot afford close them out. Make sure you do not leave credit cards, you may have forgotten about, open with no outstanding balances on them. 
• Call around and "shop" prices.  This way you can determine if you are getting the best price for the service you can find.  
• When admitted to any hospital always ask for an itemized bill and your detailed medical  records and check for accuracy.  billing errors are common.  If you can plan and pay at the time of service, providers may be willing to cut your bill up to 50% to avoid the expense of billing.
• For a hospital visit always ask for information on the Charitable organization or financail assistance program within the hospital. See if you qualify and work to set up discounts or payment plans.  If they do not offer such a program interview and check with another hospital in the area.
• Even if you need to set up a long term payment plan with a hospital, it may be beneficial because the interest charges will likely be less than those of credit lenders.  Make sure you can live with the monthly payments you agree to.

If using credit is your only option then shop around for the best general purpose credit card deal rather than using the health care options.  The interest rates are likely to be much less.       
        

Emergency or Traumatic situations: 

At the hospital or emergency care clinic ASK:

• take someone with you and authorize them to speak about your situation medically and financially.
• ask if there are any charitable programs available, if so, ask for paperwork to submit application
• ask if payment plans are available
• speak to the billing office or office manager

At the time of emergency these are difficult issues to deal with.
TWO IMPORTANT things to remember. 

1) Put someone on your HIPPA forms.  This provides that person authorization to speak on your behalf.

2) All billing, invoicing and payments can be dealt with after the emergency has been treated. 

• After the fact you can get further information and contact the foundation yourself to determine if help is available on the bill (s) you have received.
• Work with the billing office to set up monthly payments
• Show your willingness to pay by sending in a monthly payment of what you can afford

 

Some Questions to Ask your Doctors 

Print these out and take them with you.

Non Emergency needs:

Call and compare prices of the medical service professionals.
TELL the medical professionals you need help financially.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRESCRIBED A NEW MEDICATION OR TREATMENT?
ASK:

What is the name of the medicine?
How do you spell the name?
Can I take a generic version of this medicine?
What is the medicine for?
How am I supposed to take it?
When should I take my medicine?
How much medicine should I take?
How long do I need to take the medicine?
When will the medicine start working?
Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better?
Can I get a refill?
Are there any side effects?
When should I tell someone about a side effect?
Do I need to avoid any food, drinks, or activities?
Does this new prescription mean I should stop taking any other medicines I’m taking now?
Can I take vitamins with my prescription?
What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?
What should I do if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose?
Is there any written information I can take home with me?
Are there any tests I need to take while I’m on this medicine?

Pharmaceutical companies offer programs for assistance for their medications.  Normally, you can find out about the programs on the website and make application.  You generally do have to print out the application and get your doctor to sign it.  You can always go to your local library to use the computer and internet (generally at no charge) and print documents there as well (there may be a small fee for printing).

ARE YOU SCHEDULED TO HAVE MEDICAL TESTS?
ASK

What is the test for?
How is the test done?
Will the test hurt?
How accurate is the test?
Is this test the only way to find out that information?
What are the benefits and risks of having this test?
What do I need to do to prepare for the test?
How many times have your performed the test?
When will I get the results?
What will the results tell me?
What’s the next step after the test?

DID YOU RECENTLY RECEIVE A DIAGNOSIS?
ASK

What is my diagnosis?
What is the technical name of my disease or condition, and what does it mean in plan English?
What is my prognosis (outlook for the future)?
What changes will I need to make?
Is there a chance that someone else in my family might get the same condition?
Will I need special help at home for my condition?
Is there any treatment?
What are my treatment options?
How soon do I need to make a decision about treatment?
What are the benefits and risks associated with my treatment options?
Is there a clinical trial (research study) that is right for me?
Will I need any additional tests?
What organizations and resources do you recommend for support and information?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING TREATMENT FOR AN ILLNESS OR CONDITION?
ASK

What are my treatment options?
What do you recommend?
Is the treatment painful?
How can the pain be controlled?
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
How much does this treatment cost?
Will my health insurance cover the treatment?
If not, are you aware of any programs I may be qualified for?
What are the expected results?
When will I see results from the treatment?
What are the chances the treatment will work?
Are there any side effects?
What can be done about them?
How soon do I need to make a decision about treatment?
What happens if I choose to have no treatment at all?

DID YOUR CLINICIAN RECENTLY RECOMMEND SURGERY?
ASK

Why do I need surgery?
What kind of surgery do I need?
What will you be doing?
What are the benefits and risks of having this surgery?
Have you done this surgery before?
How successful is this surgery?
Which hospital is best for this surgery?
Will the surgery hurt?
Will I need anesthesia?
How long will the surgery take?
How long will it take me to recover?
How long will I be in the hospital?
What will happen after the surgery?
How much will the surgery cost?
Will my health insurance cover the surgery?
If I am not covered, are you aware of any programs available to help with this financially?
Is there some other way to treat my condition?
What will happen if I wait or don’t have this surgery?
Where can I get a second opinion?

ARE YOU CHOOSING A HEALTH PLAN?
ASK

What are my options?
Does this health plan provide the benefits and services I need?
Does this health plan offer the clinicians and hospitals I want?
Can I afford this health plan?
Can I afford not to have this health plan?

ARE YOU CHOOSING A CLINICIAN?
ASK

Is this clinician part of my health plan?
Does this clinician have the background and training I need?
Where did this clinician go to school?
Is this clinician able to work at the hospital I like?
Can I talk to this clinician and ask questions easily?
Does this clinician listen to me?
Does this clinician wash his or her hands between examining each patient?

ARE YOU CHOOSING A HOSPITAL?
ASK

Which hospital has the best care for my condition?
Is this hospital covered by my health insurance?
If not, do they have a program available that will help me with the costs?
Do they offer discounts and payment plans for self pay?
Does the hospital meet national quality standards?
How does the hospital compare with others in my area?
Has the hospital had success with my condition?
Does my clinician have privileges (is allowed to work) at this hospital?
How well does the hospital check and improve on its own quality of care?

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DENTIST

Dentists ASK:

• Call the nearest dental college to find out the programs they offer. Many times you can get your dental work done at a college by dental students for a much reduced cost.
• Ask if there are options to the treatment plan they have provided.
• once you have a treatment plan call around and get prices from other dentists offices.
• If you are getting dentures be sure to shop around. there are many service providers out there who offer good discounts and bulk services in this area.
  
  
  Preventative maintenance in this area of your health is critical to ensure longterm healthy lives.