Abusive Medical Billing: What Is It and How to Stop It

[@julierogers4473]

I was taking to a offshore operator over a provider's bill. I did not know four months that I was talking to somebody in another country. I still have not got this bill resolved

[@ahealthcarez]

It can be very frustrating.

[@camarodust]

Yeah, it's happening to your PLAN and your FAMILY who have so little voice!

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@garybecker8189]

It’s amazing the games that are played to purport value. Reminds me of the hospital invoicing 50% discount on a $1000 toothbrush.

[@ahealthcarez]

Yes it is amazing. Thank you for watching.

[@jeffborglin7764]

And, if you didn't argue with them it would still be going on. So sad

[@ahealthcarez]

Agreed. Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@jimmyc218]

So true Dr. Bricker. We will never be able to control the cost of healthcare with such massive Waste and Abusive fees. It's unfortunate that Fraud is that only thing that makes the front page or a congressional hearing. $118 versus $4,453 an % change of +3,673.73%. As a consumer, we need to be looking out for not just what we pay as consumers with insurance but how that compares to Medicare.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@genebuza]

One of the favorite tactics of the hospital billing industry is to invent a list of charges sent to your insurance company and then balance it against a similar list of insurance reimbursements and bill the patient the difference titled as 'patient copay'. Patient Copay' is always listed in the patient's EOB (explanation of Benefits} pamphlet as for separate medical charges and not as an unidentified lump sum. When the lump-sum method is used, challenge it by asking for COPAY IDs for the billed amount that correlates with the patient's EOB. If they do not provide it and threaten to turn it over to a collection agency, tell them you are filing a complaint with your State's Attorney's Office. I did this 3 times and the SAO always ruled in my favor.

[@ahealthcarez]

Super. Thank you for the information.

[@SeaFlower38]

Great video. Could you provide a written, step by step on how to approach a matter like this myself that I am going through with abusive billing? Thank you so much.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching. I don’t have one, but Marshall Allen has in his book ‘Never Pay the First Bill.’

[@MarkStanley57]

Most people just accept that healthcare costs are astronomical, would not challenge the bill, and end up on a payment plan to cover the bill. Fewer still would have the energy to dispute or escalate as you did. It's just too complicated. As a result, these practices not only continue, but they are also rewarded for being abusive every time they get paid. Thank you for being the voice in the wilderness; we need more like you!

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words.

[@infinitytrippyvideos1662]

I actually find it interesting, but for me it's not practical since I live in the European Union

[@ahealthcarez]

Makes sense. Thank you for watching.

[@kylecaudill9261]

They weren't thankful you caught the issue, they were making money.

[@ahealthcarez]

#True. Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@anfelipest25]

What could I do for an unnecessary procedure made abd the those reading fees. I went to emergency room because I felt down sitting so my coxys was hurting. They made xrays, and then gave me painkiller. The doctor said they never do xrays because anyway even if coxys is broken they can't do anything. So that was not required but they stilll did. Now, besides all I needed was a painkiller, they are charging me 4500 dollars

[@ahealthcarez]

Typically you are stuck. It is the ordering doctor’s discretion. If it’s ordered, you are financially responsible. I’m sorry.

[@alvinchen6262]

With all due respect, most MRIs take much longer than 5 minutes to read when you go through all the sequences and put in the report. Not saying that the charges are warranted, but these groups are also getting paid for the liability associated with providing these interpretations.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for sharing your point of view.

[@SeaFlower38]

The liability that a hospital has is not the responsibility of the patient to pay for. That would make zero logical sense. It is characteristically not on the patient to pay for the liability that a doctor or doctor's office incurs for the advice and information that they themselves dole out, as the advice is coming from the doctor or xray specialist etc, not the patient. The patient would only be responsible for giving bad medical advice or treatment if they were the one doing the advising, which, if they were, they wouldnt be going to the doctor at all. The equivalent of liability insurance we, as patients, pay for in regards to medical treatment is for our side which is for things that may happen to our own physical health, called health insurance (or, if uninsured, we pay out of pocket).

[@julierogers4473]

I'm fighting with a 3rd party billing for a radiology clinic that is using phone overseas! I have been trying to figure out just what I owe! I have been making payments for a year now and the cancer my payment plan sent the bills to collections! Just found out the billing wasn't sent to the insurance company properly

[@ahealthcarez]

Very frustrating.

[@karendesoto6887]

Always eye opening information. Thank you

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@dianed6509]

Wow...nobody knows what they're paying for and blame the insurance company for out of pocket cost. Can you point to the facility fee video? That is another rip off

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. Here is a link to the video you requested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGjLonibe6Z0qrM

[@DrivingMissLazy]

What do you think about state DORs routinely garnishing state tax refunds to pay medical bills without a court order?

[@ahealthcarez]

Does not sound like a good idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@DrivingMissLazy]

@@ahealthcarez it's what SC is up to! The people of SC are being robbed blind if you ask me.

[@bobhea]

Awesome information.

[@ahealthcarez]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback.

[@balakay693]

Thanks for this breakdown, Dr. Bricker. My understanding is that most insurance companies will not let you audit claims, let alone renegotiate after these practices haven been uncovered. Do you have a video that gets into the percent off billed charges vs case rates?

[@jkay07]

wow

[@ahealthcarez]

‘Wow’ is right! Thank you for watching.