PSA: Medical Bills

ghostof5letters · February 2014

Hi Ladies - I learned this from TB back with my first baby and it was one of the most valuable (literally) things I've learned here.

ANY TIME you get a bill in the mail, do not just blindly write a check and pay it. Call the phone number on the statement and ask if they have a "paid in full" discount. 9 times out of 10, they will. Pay the bill right there over the phone with your debit or credit card and reap the savings. I've had savings from 10% to 50% just by picking up the phone and calling. You don't have to haggle or be a jerk or anything, it's just given carte blanche. All you have to do is ask if they have one available. Most do.

The fact that most medical facilities do this, angers me because I'm not the type to call and question a bill. I had no idea something like this even existed, and when I think of all the crap my grandparents and parents have paid for without thinking twice, it makes me sad and angry.

In the past 3 years, I've only ever been denied a discount once.

acciovino · February 2014

That's awesome advice! I know sometimes the bills I get will have 2 options, but not very often. I didn't even think to call and ask. Score!

glitterclaws · February 2014

Wow. This is amazing. I have to pay out of pocket up to 3k, so every little but helps. Thanks!

honeybee434 · February 2014

Thanks for the tip!! I'm definitely going to use this when we get our hospital bill after delivery!

cuntasaurusrex · February 2014

Excellent advice

ghostof5letters · February 2014

I totally forgot until I checked the mail on Saturday and got the bill for my NT Scan. Called today and knocked off 10%, The bill was only $134 to begin with, but why pay an extra 10% if I don't have to? I'll keep my $13.40, thank you very much!

1982Babies · February 2014

My doctor has me on a payment plan for the amount I owe her -- so I've just been paying 1/6th of that each visit since last month. I will do this with other bills though!

ghostof5letters · February 2014

1982Babies said:

My doctor has me on a payment plan for the amount I owe her -- so I've just been paying 1/6th of that each visit since last month. I will do this with other bills though!

I'm on a payment plan with my doctor. This suggestion includes bills from labs, hospitals, and imagining places. Your general OBGYN bill (especially if you're Universal Billing) and on a payment plan, won't work.

bullybutt · February 2014

Even for office visits?

ghostof5letters · February 2014

bullybutt said:

Even for office visits?

No, unfortunately, those ones aren't really negotiable. Sorry

This advice will be much more handy come July. I'll try to remember to bump it then.

klynne924 · February 2014

My last OB-GYN gave me a 15% discount for paying in full when we were self pay last year. My husband saw a doctor for epidurals for low back pain and he got a 25% discount by paying in full. Helped a great deal when those epidurals ran between $1000-$1500 a piece!

ghostof5letters · February 2014

catarntina said:

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try this ... DS was in the ER recently and they billed me $1800. And I owe all of it because we haven't met our deductible.

DEFINITELY try it. I haven't met my annual deductible and we had an ER/Ambulance visit on Friday with Pip, so we're definitely calling to negotiate this bill paid in full discount.

Let me know how it goes. Hopefully your son is on the up and up!

TRS48 · February 2014

OMG I love you! Had no clue this was an option but def will start using it everytime- Thank you!

TRS48 · February 2014

Oh wait, can I ask you what you say, before I F this up? Like, do you just call and say "Hi, I received a bill, do you have a paid in full discount that I can pay now to wipe this out?" with my luck they'd say something like... "yes, you owe the full amount on the bill, whats your card #?"

tealowl · February 2014

Yes, you can do this with lots of places! I work for a hospital entity, and while we don't, the hospital will give you discounts if you pay in full.

Also ask and see if financial assistance is available, you never know if you qualify or not unless you ask!

reils500 · February 2014

Also make sure you know your insurance coverage! After DS was born I got a bill for over $800 for me & $150 for DS, neither of which I actually had to pay out of pocket. Billing had made a mistake.

tourqeyes · February 2014

Do you think it will work for lab bills?

marsalisails · February 2014

Thank you!!!

RachaelandCarl · February 2014

I had an outstanding bill I needed to pay for DS at the Children's Hospital. I just called to check and she said they already gave a full discount and couldn't do any more. Sha, right. BOOOOO, but thanks for the info for the future!

ghostof5letters · February 2014

tundrabunny said:

Is this just if you're self-pay? Does it work if you have insurance coverage?

No, I've only ever requested this discount when paying off my balance with insurance. Totally works with insurance.

I'm sure everything is negotiable if you're a self-pay.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

tourqeyes said:

Do you think it will work for lab bills?

STUCK IN QUOTE HELL

One of the speciality labs we used was the only company to deny me.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

TRS48 said:

Oh wait, can I ask you what you say, before I F this up? Like, do you just call and say "Hi, I received a bill, do you have a paid in full discount that I can pay now to wipe this out?" with my luck they'd say something like... "yes, you owe the full amount on the bill, whats your card #?"

That's all I say:

"Hey this is Ghost, I received your bill in the mail. Do you have a paid in full discount if I take care of this right now?"

The person who denied me didn't make me pay immediately while on the phone, lol. But I totally get where you're coming from

INmommy871278 · February 2014

Like pp said, ask about financial aid. I call and ask about that with all medical bills. We paid 20% of my bill from DS because of the financial assistance.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

catarntina said:

catarntina said:

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try this ... DS was in the ER recently and they billed me $1800. And I owe all of it because we haven't met our deductible.

DEFINITELY try it. I haven't met my annual deductible and we had an ER/Ambulance visit on Friday with Pip, so we're definitely calling to negotiate this bill paid in full discount.

Let me know how it goes. Hopefully your son is on the up and up!
******* I hope your DD is ok!!

Thank you! Pip had a seizure Friday morning and I found her blue. She pulled out of it quickly but she's been pretty sick since. She's improving, but it's been really slow and stressful.

drunkenhandstand · February 2014

Whoa! Man I wish I would have seen this post 6 years ago! Damn! Awesome advice, thanks!

jamboree jess · February 2014

I never would have known that something like this would have existed. I usually just pay my bills immediately at whatever website is on the bill, because I am too lazy to mail a check, and would rather not deal with any sort of human interaction.

But if it'll save me money, I'll totally pick up the phone

Thanks a ton for the tip. Now I'm half excited to get a bill and try it :S

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