Among other things, HFMA’s surprise billing guide includes these tips for avoiding an unexpected balance bill when patients schedule care in advance:
- Before choosing a health plan, check what providers are in your health plan’s network. Check the health plan’s directory of providers and verify the information with the provider.
- Before choosing a health plan, ask how it covers care from providers who are not in network.
- When you need services, check again with both your provider and the health plan to make sure the provider is in network.
- If you need to see a specialist, check to make sure the specialist is in network.
- If you need to have a procedure, ask where it will take place.
- Ask who else might be involved—anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, for example—in the procedure.
- Give yourself plenty of time. Check on the status—in-network or out-of-network—of providers well in advance of your procedure. Don’t wait until the day before your appointment.
- Write down all the information you receive.
- If you think you received an incorrect medical bill, seek help.
Source: Avoiding Surprises in Your Medical Bills: A Guide for Consumers
