The Healthcare Financial Management Association has developed a downloadable guide to help patients lower their risk of receiving unexpected out-of-network medical bills.
The guide is a collaboration between HFMA, the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans.
The guide is intended to supplement information patients may receive from hospitals, physicians and insurance companies. It applies to patients with insurance from a preferred provider organization or health maintenance organization.
"The guide offers tips for avoiding unexpected balance bills, both when care is scheduled in advance and in an emergency," according to a frequently asked questions section about the guide. "It provides examples of steps consumers can take to avoid surprise bills for three common procedures: colonoscopy, hip or knee replacement and childbirth. It also features a fill-in form designed for consumers to keep track of information they gather as they confirm the network status of their providers."
Download the guide here.
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