For many people in Texas and across the country, treatment for a serious medical condition can be accompanied by financial disaster. Medical debt is a major burden affecting many Americans; it is one reason why people decide to file for personal bankruptcy. Even people with health insurance may face significant medical bills, especially if they require expensive prescription medications or specialized treatment provided by an out-of-network hospital. There are a few tips that people can keep in mind to help minimize their exposure to health care debt.
It is particularly important for people to fully understand their health insurance plans, especially if they are facing major medical treatment. This includes learning more about how insurers treat out-of-network providers and seeking out in-network physicians or hospitals whenever possible. In addition, people can focus on what they need to do to obtain coverage for specialist visits, imaging tests or other necessary steps in their treatment. Many insurance companies are quick to deny payment over paperwork issues, so patients can benefit from becoming strong self-advocates.
In addition, it is critical for people to examine their medical bills before writing a check or handing over their credit card. Some people are facing thousands of dollars in unnecessary medical debt due to incorrect billing codes or other mistakes. This can lead both to higher bills for the patient as well as a denial of coverage by the insurance company. If the insurer does deny a claim, patients should not take that as the final word; instead, they can look into the appeal process to fight for their coverage.
Many people are facing significant medical debt that they can never hope to repay. A lawyer may provide advice and guidance on how people can seek debt relief through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.