What Should I Do About My Medical Bills?

Beware of this cute little trick insurance adjusters pull:  They tell you to send them your medical bills for payment.  Then weeks and months go by, and you start getting nasty collection notices from the doctors and hospitals.  And when you call to find out what's going on, the adjuster says he's still investigating ... or he has to have the charges medically reviewed ... or some other such nonsense.

So now you're worried about your credit ... and there's additional pressure on you to settle right away, maybe before you're ready.  WHICH IS EXACTLY WHERE THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WANTS YOU!

Usually, it's better to submit your bills to your own health insurer.  Or to the med pay coverage under your own auto policy, if you don't have health insurance.  Sure, you might have to pay them back when the case is settled (this is called subrogation), but at least your doctors get paid right away and won't be constantly hassling you.

And there's always the chance that your health insurer WON'T ask for reimbursement when the case is over, or will agree to accept a PARTIAL repayment.  Which means YOU come out ahead.    

 

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