The last thing you want to worry about when you or a loved one enters the hospital is what the bill is going to look like. Unfortunately, medical bills are a major consideration for hospital patients. Hospital visits are generally expensive, and payments can become complicated. That's why it is important to understand your hospital bill and ensure no mistakes have been made during processing. Errors are actually quite common, but they can be easily avoided or rectified if you have the proper information. Here are some of the most common medical billing mistakes and how to fix them.
- Double Billing - This common mistake results in the patient being charged twice for the same procedure. This can also happen if you need a test repeated because of the hospital made a mistake in processing. You are not responsible if a test or procedure was done twice and the facility is at fault.
- Room Charges - Hospitals frequently mislabel room charges. For example, you may be billed for a private room when you actually shared your accommodation. Additionally, hospitals often mistakenly charge for a private room given when no shared rooms were available. If you stayed in a single-person room because it was the only open space, you should not be charged extra.
- Drug Charges - Lack of proper communication between medical staff and the billing department can result in mislabeled drug charges. This can occur if you were offered a particular medication, but refused treatment. Such information is not always updated in billing records. Additionally, if you receive a generic drug, you may be mistakenly charged for a brand-name product.
- Up-coding - Hospitals sometimes increase charges by documenting a more serious condition or procedure than what is called for. This adds a lot of money to your bill. Make sure you know exactly what your diagnosis is and how you will be treated.
- Operating Costs - Be sure you know how long any surgery procedure actually took. Otherwise, you may be charged for additional use of the operating room. You can easily determine how long you were in an operating room by checking your anesthesia records.
- Coding Errors - Sometimes a major error can result from a simple data-entry mistake. Though accidental, inputting the wrong code into your records can completely change the procedure for which you are billed.
- Visit Length - Be sure the check-in and check-out dates are correct on your bill. Clerical errors can add days to your visit. Also, find out your hospital's billing policy. Most hospitals do not charge for the check-out date. Make sure you don't get mistakenly charged for this last day.
- Cancelled Tests - If your doctor cancels a test that was already ordered, make sure your bill reflects this. Sometimes miscommunication leaves you with a bill for a test never performed.
- Services Not Rendered - Make sure you actually received all the tests and procedures on your bill. It's possible that something extra slipped in unnoticed among all the other charges.
- Doctor's Bill - If you receive a separate bill from the doctor that treated you, make sure the hospital did not include that doctor's fee on their bill. You only have to pay the doctor once. To avoid this problem, ask ahead of time whether the doctor or the hospital will be billing you for treatment.
A recent study showed that as many as eight of every ten hospital bills contain errors. Most billing mistakes can be resolved by simply calling the hospital's billing department. If your problem is not resolved by phone, send a letter to both the hospital and your insurance company. If you require additional assistance regarding a hospital dispute, you may want to hire a medical bill reviewer. Keep in mind that this person will charge you for their services. However, their fee will be less than what you owe on the incorrect bill.
