Medical journals?

[Rich]

I know from reading a lot of posts over the years, a number of members have numerous medical issues besides valve relacements.
The paperwork can get to be a nightmare.
An example is as follows: We recently received a BC/BS statement regarding a procedure done three and a half years ago!
This means going thru a ton of paperwork to find out what it was all about, and to make sure it was paid for.
I don't worry too much about it, just wait for the bills to arrive, but there have been a lot of errors including double billing.
So even though I am in the process of inventing my own journal, I was wondering if anyone has come accross such a thing at an office supply place,etc.

Rich

 

[Blanche]

My dear one calls me Ms. Monk

My dear one calls me Ms. Monk

Rich:
Over the years, we have had so many problems with seemingly little things cropping up years after a procedure was completed. A recent one was from the Hospitalist's billing agent for Al's hospitalization in December 2000. Four years later, they billed me for $96.86. Four years!!!!! They had not billed the secondary within the one year required time, so they came after us. I sent them my papers, but they still demanded payment. So, I contacted both the hospital and the hospitalist and it finally got settled.

I keep several three-ring binders, the ones that have pockets in front and back. Inside those binders, I put everything that comes in that has to do with medical things....including, bills, information sheets, letters, etc...everything. Got my self a supply of 99cent hole punchers and put one in each notebook. Have one for Albert, one for me, and another for pharmacy. I keep a couple of years in each notebook. When the books get full, I take the oldest year out, clamp all of the papers together and file them in a paper file in the file cabinet. We keep those for about 6-7 years....which is probably much too long.

This is my solution, which is low-tech and user friendly for us retired folks.

Kindest regards,
Blanche

 

[PamO]

Oh yes! Keep track!

One thing that Blanche mentioned made me post, as I've been real hesitant to lately (problem with information online getting into the hands of trash with a superiority complex). If a provider bills you because they didn't bill the insurance company (whether it be primary or secondary) fight it! They have a responsibility to bill in a timely manner and it is NOT your fault they didn't hold up their end of the responsibility.

Any bill you receive past 90 days of a procedure - question it! It's usually 90 days (although some insurance companies have different claims submission times). When you receive a bill from a provider that's for something...say...a year ago, there's only two reasons you're getting it so late: (1) they "forgot" to bill the insurance carrier; or (2) they got audited or they did an internal audit for unpaid or unsubmitted bills. For both reasons, fightfightfight! If you have an insurance broker, get them involved.

 

[Ross]

Hey folks their is a statue of limitations on how long they can require payment. Each state is different, but if the time has expired, they are out of luck! I'll have to find the link to the state statutes. http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations.html

Arizona Statutes of Limitation

Written contracts: 6 years, runs from date creditor could have sued account.

Oral debts, stated or opens accounts: 3 years.

Actions for fraud or mistake: 3 years from the date of the discovery of the fraud or mistake.

Actions involving fiduciary bonds, out of state instruments and foreign judgments: 4 years. NOTE: Arizona applies its own statute of limitations to foreign judgments rather than that of the state that originally rendered the judgment whether the judgment is being domesticated under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act or pursuant to a separate action on the foreign judgment.

An Arizona judgment must be renewed within five years of the date of the judgment.


Michigan Statutes of Limitation

Breach of Contract: 6 years, (MCL 600.5807(8).

Breach of Contract for Sale of goods under the UCC: 4 years: including deficiency actions following repossession and sale of goods subject to a security interest, (MCL 440.2725(1).

Judgments: 10 years, but are renewable by action for another 10 years, MCL.600.5809(3).

NOTE: Another state's limitation period may apply check statutes carefully.

 

[Nancy]

Joe spends an enormous amount of time on medical bills and keeping them straight. Fortunately he has a financial background and a management background. I bet he spends as much time on the medical bills as he did on financial things when he was a manager.

Some how or other, he has a magic touch getting things settled. He just seems to be able to get to the right person to get it resolved. He is also not shy about paying the biller (if they are local) a personal unannounced visit to get it resolved, if nothing else works. He is tactful up to a certain point, then "no more Mr. Nice guy".

His files are impeccably organized. The accounts get done on the first of the month, every month and everything is filed perfectly.

He goes over every statement when it comes in. I don't think too much escapes him. If there is an error in the statement he gets right on the phone immediately.

If he were sick as a dog, he would drag himself to his desk and do the books. He just loves it!

 

[Guest]

I have a love/hate relationship with bills and financial stuff in general.

I love keeping track of things...and keep, imho, great records of what has been paid and when. But, I hate realizing that all of it means that more of my money is gone .

I, too, received an "explanation of benefits" from BC/BS about something from a few years ago. I just filed it in the folder I have for all of my bills ... and figured I'd wait until I received a bill from the provider to question it.....

*shrugs*


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"It's coming down to nothing more than apathy" ... The Fray ... 'Over My Head'

 

[Blanche]

PamO

PamO

Thanks for posting. I have appreciated your input in the past and hope you will continue to share it with all of us. This whole area of insurance coverage, reinbursement, and the mire that follows is a concern to all of us....or should be. You have shed light on this subject and I value that. Thanks a bunch.
Blanche

 

[Rich]

Thanks guys,
Believe me we really keep track but I want it all better organized.
Blanche your method is exactly what I had in mind.
We also fight anything suspicious and so far have never lost one.
We have cost a few people their jobs and reported others for fraud.
Nothing gets by my wife, and more than a few found out the hard way, that it doesn't pay to get her mad and on their case.
Hmmm I guess I learned that the hard way also.

Rich