Cari, assumed her insurance policy covered these treatments until she received a bill for close to $ 20,000, and that was for ONE treatment. She did have to continue next treatments every five weeks !!!!! After not much success, Cari reached out to me in panic, and we managed to get her bill down to $ 411 with some of the following tips:
1. Get into your Zen : The last thing Cari needed was an ulcer. With a few deep breaths and a plan of action in place, she was ready to tackle this "billing monster."
2. Get a copy of the itemized bill and medical records : In Cari & # 39; s place, it looked like her insurance rejected part of the bill because the infusion center was not covered by her insurance.
3. Talk to the right person: In addition, the advocate pointed out some additional insurance options that Cari was qualified for, but not taking advantage, so we we are filled up all the paperwork with the help of the facility and got her on the correct plan within 2 months.
Four. Talk to your prescribing doctor: In some cases, the prescribing doctor may have free samples (usually about 2 months Cari & # 39; s case was a little more difficult since she was was in need of a biologic which tend to be a little more complicated therapy since there are many factors involved including an infusion site.
Five. Find out what financial assistance programs are out there: There are plenty of "patience assistance programs" and / or "financial need programs" and / or "financial need programs" and / or "financial need programs" and / or "financial need programs" are some of these programs and get qualified as soon as possible. Some websites that may be helpful include: NeedyMeds, together Rx Access , or a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
6. Go straight to the manufacturer: Cari found Kim, an access services manager for the Remicade she needed by going to the Janssen Pharmaceuticals For those that are not as savvy, the prescribing doctor can help you with the correct number by contacting the representative that they are deal with from the pharmaceutical company.
7. Be pleasant and prepared: Before initiating any calls, take a deep breath and be sure you write down the following information so you can provide it in a cohesive way when the representative requests, which will make the call pleasant and quick:
- Your name and contact information
- The pharmaceutical prescription
- The desired location if needed
- Insurance information (if you have insurance)
- Your income level (a copy of your W-2 can provide this information)
If you have a love one, you have a loved one. If your blood starts to boil, hang up and call again when you are calm, or have a loved one call with you.
8. Take notes: Get the person & # 39; s name and contact information if possible, including any what addition given given to you as well as when the person may call you back. In Cari & # 39; s case, we were asked to call back to get an update on what Kim was able to find out in relation to the situation was conclusion, Kim was able to locate a site that was accepting her insurance and determination that this site was accepting new patients. Kim also included Cari in an additional free to remind her of her infusion dates.
9. Breathe and get started: Now that everything is verified, Cari is able to get her infusions and NOT go into medical debt. In addition, she knows to ask for an itemized bill and a copy of her medical records after each infusion, so she can keep keep track of her bills If there is a discrepancy, she has her access service manager, Kim to help her work it out and avoid an ulcer.
Today, Cari is an empowered patient with no medical debt and an infusion center that is convenient to her house that is covered by her insurance.
