Can you bargain down a medical bill?

I’ve mentioned in my blogs that I’m Canadian, but now that I’m writing for the general health channel, I thought I should mention that again for new readers. One thing, that as a Canadian, I have trouble wrapping my mind around is the American system of paying for healthcare. I have many American friends and acquaintances, so I am quite familiar with many of the issues you in the United States face.

So, I began to wonder if it’s possible to find deals for healthcare, much as you would for other services. Imagine my surprise when I start looking for news today and I come across this New York Times article, Bargaining Down the Medical Bills. In order to read the article, you have to sign up, but it’s free, painless and fast to do so if you want to.

So, apparently, it is possible to negotiate medical bills. While every doctor and institution is different, it sure doesn’t hurt to ask. The author of the article writes, “And keep in mind that doctors, hospitals and medical labs are accustomed to negotiating. After all, they do it all the time with insurers. A hospital may have a dozen or more rates for one procedure, depending on whether Medicare, Medicaid or a private insurer is paying the bill, said Ruth Levin, corporate senior vice president for managed care of Continuum Health Partners, a nonprofit hospital system in New York. Your request for a special arrangement will hardly confound their accounting department.”

Where can you negotiate? Just about anywhere. You can speak with your doctor, your hospital, even the labs where your tests are performed and interpreted. If you don’t ask, you won’t find out, will you?

Just be sure you approach this in a professional manner. People are almost always willing to help someone who is kind, polite, and respectful. In other words, don’t storm into an office or go in with an aggressive or argumentative mood. That will just turn people off. And, if you’re successful, you could save yourself enough money that you don’t get sick trying to figure out how to pay those bills

Have you tried negotiating? If so, how did it go? Can you share your story with Blisstree readers?

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Images: iStock.com and Newscom.com