Save money and stress with these nine secrets health insurers don’t want you to know

On Health.com there is an article by Suz Redfearn that can help you save money and get the health coverage you need. Below are the nine secrets the article shared:

Don’t pay if you don’t have a say. Most plans charge you for seeing an out-of-network doctor. However, if you are in the hospital you may not have control over whether the doctors treating are in your network. If you don’t have control over this, especially during an emergency, you are not liable. So if you get a bill from your insurer, send them a strong letter letting them know that the doctor treating you was out of your control and you will not be paying any additional fees.

You may be eligible for more coverage. Depending on your state you may be eligible for more coverage than your insurer is telling you about. To find out you can contact your state’s insurance commissioner or check with consumer health organizations like Families USA.

To get tested, talk up your symptoms. Insurers in general don’t like to pay for tests. When you visit your voice your health concerns to your doctor so you can receive tests that you feel will put your mind at ease.

Stall first and answer questions later. Sometimes when you go for medical services like during pregnancy your insurer denies coverage while going on a fishing expedition to see if they can deny you coverage don’t sign any release forms allowing your insurer to review your medical history. Your history is private and after about 3 months the insurer will usually pay for your care and drop their investigation.

Letters are your best bet. Don’t overlook the power of a letter. It gives you a paper trail and gets a response from your insurer. When you send letters, make sure you send copies to your state insurance commissioner. And always keep any responses you receive.

Doctors are good weapons. When your insurer won’t pay for care you received under doctor’s orders, ask you doctor for help. They can call your insurer and say they will make a complaint to the state medical board. Another option is to call your congressman and/or Medicare office to lodge a formal complaint.

A little research can go a long way. If there is a test you want but your doctor won’t order it unless it is an absolute must do a little research and get some expert info to persuade your doctor.

There are ways to get drugs cheaper. Always ask for the generic brand. If there isn’t a generic then order your prescription by mail. To avoid extra co-pays ask you doctor to write a prescription for two to three months if you have a chronic condition.

An advocate can help you win. If you are denied coverage a health care advocate may be the answer. They know the laws and will take over the battle with your insurer so you can focus on your medical issues. They may even be able to get policies changed. To find an advocate you can contact the Patient Advocate Foundation or the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy. You can also check with medical associations for a specific condition because they usually keep a list of advocates.