What Should I Do About Billing Problems When Using HSA Money?

If you run into a billing problem or misunderstanding with a hospital or doctor's office for which you're planning to use money from your Health Savings Account (HSA), you could be in trouble.

This article will help you understand how hospital and doctor visits are different when paying with a Health Savings Account. Not better or worse, just different.

If you have an HSA, you must have health insurance. It's a requirement. However, if you are using money from your HSA, it means that you haven't hit the deductible of your policy yet.

In this particular situation, life is a bit different when it comes to resolving billing disputes with hospitals.

Insurance companies have a comprehensive system for dealing with billing disputes when they have covered a hospital stay or doctor visit. But when they haven't covered it because you are still within your deductible, that comprehensive dispute resolution system doesn't necessarily apply.

Here are some points to keep in mind when you are dealing with a hospital in a billing dispute, and you have paid with HSA money. I learned these important points when I was talking to an expert in this field named Dr. Vincent Riccardi, who is the owner of American Medical Consumer (www.medconsumer.com), a company dedicated to helping people resolve billing disputes with hospitals and doctors.

Here's what Dr. Riccardi has to say:

First, discuss the issue with your physician. Sometimes the problem stems from an incorrectly applied billing code and the doctor can easily change it to please the hospital and resolve the problem on the spot.

Negotiate in person. Especially if you just don't have the money to pay a bill, it makes the best sense to negotiate face-to-face with the person at the hospital who has the authority to reverse or reduce the charges. Hospitals would often rather be paid part of a bill than risk losing the entire bill. Be honest and forthright and you may have a good chance in negotiating a reduced fee from the hospital. This includes the situations where it was a misunderstanding on your part. It's at least worth a try.

Don't bother going to the State Medical Board. In most cases, they are not able to help you. This is the case with most government agencies. Even the Departments of Insurance cannot help, because this isn't an insurance problem, it is technically a fee-for-service situation.

Recourse to a lawyer is usually not fruitful unless there is a big amount involved. For amounts less than $5,000 (which is what most HSA-style deductibles are), a lawyer probably won't be able to help you.

Remember that the only things that count in negotiations like this are the things that have been written down. If a doctor mentioned something to you but didn't write it down, it probably won't help you. Get things in writing all the way through the process.

I think of HSAs as a way to "be your own insurance company" for the small stuff (under your deductible). That is its power. But it also means that when it comes to disputes, you also have to "be your own insurance company" and take charge of the negotiations with the hospital, just like an insurance company would. Your willingness and ability to negotiate will influence your ability to get unfair charges reversed or, at least, lessened. But it's a "do it yourself" situation, so be aware of that when you sign up for an HSA.

Daryl Kulak is the author of the book "Health Insurance Off the Grid - A Wonderful Way to Use Alternative Medicine and Save Money on Insurance Using the New Health Savings Account (HSA)."

The book provides a nine-step plan to get your self-employed or small business health insurance costs under control using a unique approach you won't find anywhere else. The book is available for sale as an e-Book or paperback at the Website http://www.healthoffthegrid.com

---

Insurance Adjusters How They Work And How They Think

Here comes the insurance adjuster. Is he overly friendly? If... Read More

Business Insurance; Information you will need

When you start a small business you will need to... Read More

Life Insurance Settlement

A new financial tool is now available for senior citizens.... Read More

Need A Car Insurance Comparison? Dont Have Time?

If you decide not to do a car insurance comparison... Read More

What Should I Do About Billing Problems When Using HSA Money?

If you run into a billing problem or misunderstanding with... Read More

Why Boat Insurance Doesnt Help A Lousy Sailor

For thousands of years men have sailed the seas. From... Read More

Health Savings Account (HSA): Helpful for Older People?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that... Read More

I Was In An Accident, Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up?

You were on the phone, got distracted and before you... Read More

Used Car Insurance

Every state requires that drivers carry liability insurance. The liability... Read More

Six Crucial Insurance Claim Possibilities

There are DOZENS of insurance claim possibilities which will increase... Read More

Self Employed Health Insurance - Tips For Getting Cheap Health Insurance When Youre Self Employed

If you're self-employed and facing high health insurance bills, there... Read More

How Can I Compare Life Insurance Quotes?

The online life insurance companies offer a free service where... Read More

Life Insurance Benefits

Life Insurance is a legal contract between you and a... Read More

The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Are you looking to buy a life insurance policy? Well,... Read More

Life Insurance Information

Life insurance is a personal insurance plan designed to pay... Read More

Finding Fast Life Insurance

Since the widespread growth of internet usage and database building... Read More

Internet Insurance Leads

It is a fact that more and more people everyday... Read More

What To Do When You Suffer An Injury On The Job?

For over 30 years I have been representing injured workers... Read More

Long Term Care Insurance How Much Should I Buy?

Long-term care insurance policies have a variety of features and... Read More

Homeowners Insurance Coverage

When deciding on the appropriate amount of homeowner's insurance coverage... Read More

What Are The Differences Between A Cancellation Notice And Non-renewal Notice?

OK, you take that stroll down to the mailbox excitedly... Read More

How Much Can My Auto Rate Increase After One Accident?

Accidents almost always make your insurance rates increase. Whether or... Read More

Do An Auto Insurance Comparison And Benefit From The Savings

It is very important to do an auto insurance comparison... Read More

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is designed to protect your health, belongings, and... Read More

Types of Life Insurance

There are different types of life insurance policies available. Shop... Read More

Health Insurance Plans and their Differences

Health insurance plans have changed dramatically over the past ten... Read More

Hidden Ways to Cut Car Insurance

Consumers are countering rising gasoline prices and other vehicle operating... Read More

Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know

Getting your business up and running is exciting, challenging and... Read More

Health Insurance Providers Online - Benefits to Applying Online

Health insurance providers are going online to find new customers.... Read More

Medical Insurance Overseas

Thousands of people have work related commitments and in order... Read More

Health Insurance And Insurance Brokers

If you are in the market to purchase your own... Read More

Do Insurance Premiums Increase Every Year?

Many people ask, "If I am supposed to get a... Read More

About Accidental Death Dismemberment Insurance Quote

We don't hear much about getting an accidental death dismemberment... Read More