When you’re not feeling well, the last thing you think about is stopping and taking time to document how you’re feeling. You’re just not feeling well! But for providers to give their most accurate diagnosis,…
If you have flexibility in determining your last day at the office, pick the start of the month. Many companies have policies where health insurance coverage lasts until the end of the month. This may…
You call your physician to schedule an appointment, only to be told that the next appointment is a week away! Or you call your doctor about a fever, only for them to say that the…
Many health insurances promote one “free” preventive care or wellness visit benefit per year. But this is only free if the physician does not find additional health issues that warrant a change in your current…
Balance billing is when a healthcare provider charges you a bill even after your insurance has paid them. Balance billing often happens when the physician or health care company is out-of-network. That is, the insurance…
Many specialist doctors offices have a financial assistance policy. Look for it on their website or call them. Specialist offices that are affiliated with a health system follow the financial assistance policy of the parent…
Health care prices in the United States vary widely, even the negotiated (or contracted) rate between an insurance company and a healthcare provider. Always get multiple estimates for non-emergent care. This applies even for those…
Many specialist offices are owned by a large hospital network. This allows them to classify the office as an outpatient center, as opposed to an independent facility, and charge what’s called a facility fee. That…
You can go to any primary care office and negotiate a cash rate. Many give a 30-50% discount off their list price if you call and ask before you go. But the real answer you’re…
When we move to a new city, many of us simply forget or don’t have the time to find another primary care doctor. Here’s the biggest reason why that’s a mistake: you can get seen…