CHARLOTTE, N.C. (LendingTree) — As the coronavirus continues to spread and wreak havoc on American life, many are finding themselves getting tested for the virus more often. Although the government passed the CARES Act back in March to assist Americans with free coronavirus testing, hundreds are still receiving surprise medical bills.
One of LendingTreeβs own writers experienced just that when she got tested for the virus back in September in Charlotte. Erika Giovanetti received a bill saying she owed her provider $153.95 for her test after her insurance benefits. Surprised, Erika reached out to her provider and the insurance company to find out why she was charged and to negotiate the cost.
Facing a surprise medical bill? How to negotiate with your provider:
- Request an itemized bill from the health care provider that conducted the test. Check for errors to make sure your service wasnβt coded incorrectly. You can also ask your insurer to review the medical bill, and you have the right to file an appeal if you believe you were charged in error for a service you needed.
- Get in touch with the medical billing office. Whether or not you were billed in error, youβll have to speak with the provider that billed you in order to negotiate the cost of care. You may qualify for a lump-sum discount if you offer to pay your bill in full. Take note of who you spoke with at the billing department and when you called.
- Seek payment assistance programs. Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer payment assistance programs, such as free or discounted care for select patients, according to federal law. However, the exact requirements vary state-to-state. Regardless, you should ask the hospitalβs billing department what programs they offer.
- Enroll in an interest-free payment plan. Health care providers typically let you break up your hospital bill into manageable monthly payments made over a number of months, without interest. Since they donβt accrue interest, these plans are a better alternative to medical loans or medical credit cards.
Read the full story: Charged for a Coronavirus Test? How To Negotiate Your Medical Bill
