The question on medical transcription made me think of another question. Is there a job for people to audit medical bills for overcharging and negotiating with a hospital or insurance company on behalf of a patient (like an ombudsman). I helped a neighbor review medical bills and was able to get a lot more paid by insurance and Medicare and a lot more written off by the hospital when she was trying to settle her deceased husband's medical bills. Many people are just intimidated by dealing with insurance companies.
Is this a service that people would be willing to pay for as a percentage of the savings you incurred or at an hourly rate? And would that even be legal since you are dealing with Medicare? If anyone is doing this successfully, I would appreciate your input.
Most people have a good idea what their bill should be and if it is different, no, if it is more, then they call the office and ask why. Most billing offices are happy to help you figure out what you need to tell the insurance company because until then they are not paid.
Kind of saying there isn't much need for that service.
I think I'd turn to someone for help if I had a major billing issue and didn't have the time to deal with the insurance company... but I wonder how many people need this and how you'd advertise? For me - I can handle my own bills and have never had a problem with an insurance company. Maybe senior citizens would be your target audience? I'm not saying this is a bad idea, just maybe a hard one to implement.
Maybe a Medical Billing Representative?
http://www.indeed.com/q-Medical-Billing-Representative-jo...
Every hospital has a Medical Review Auditor/Dept and ALL Health Insurance companies have them as well, all you have to do is request the audit. you aren't charged for this service. Most Auto insurance Co. have them as well ,in the case of Auto Related Injuries. In most cases auditors are Medical persons (usually nurses) or Certified Coders Just informative info ! C. S.
Just FYI for anyone reading your answers: When my mom died last September I sent the hospital a copy of her death certificate and they dismissed the bill completely (and sent me a condolence note), have not heard a peep from them since.
