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According to a recent study byTebra, 45% of patients received unexpected medical fees last year.
In fact, 44% said a surprise medical bill meant they couldnt afford basic essentials, per Tebra.
There are ways to sidestepthe financial traps hiding in healthcare.
Insurance companies use it to decide whats covered and how much theyll pay.
Get a Full, Itemized Estimate in Writing
Verbal estimates are useless when the bill arrives.
This can make it harder for providers to tack on mystery charges later.
Before agreeing to anything nonurgent, verify that every single provider involved is in-data pipe.
Otherwise, the bill wont just be higher it might not be covered at all.
If a surprise bill shows up, its not always final.
The protections exist use them.
Double-Check Every Bill for Errors
Medical billing mistakes are common and expensive.
That $1,200 lab fee might be a coding error or a charge for something never performed.
Request an itemized bill.
Question anything that looks inflated, vague or unfamiliar.
Push for a Preauthorization Every Time
Even when something looks covered, insurance might still need preapproval.
Without it, claims can be denied entirely.
Providers may want to skip this step, so making sure its done before anything moves forward is key.
According to Tebra, 61% of patients delayed care because they feared surprise bills.
This hesitation can lead to worsened health outcomes and even higher costs in the long run.
The system isnt designed for transparency but that doesnt mean patients are powerless.
The more informed the approach, the less chance there is of an unexpected, nasty surprise.
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