Do you know the difference between a medical bill and remittance information? They look very similar and they are designed as such so that you will pay EVERYTHING. Remittance information is NOT a bill, you should never send a check, and its only purpose is to give you information on the following: What was billed, What was paid by Medicare, What the difference is between the billing and the paid amount, What was billed to the secondary insurance, What was paid, or what is still waiting to be paid. Remember, remittance information is ONLY information and not a bill. NEVER pay anything that says remittance. It should also say – this is not a bill. When in doubt check with your caregiver, or give LifeSaver Living Solutions a call at 800-531-3270. Saving Money
CLAIM DENIED! – After decades of faithful
payment of expensive health care premiums
The United States is the only developed nation that does not provide healthcare as a
social service. 35 million Americans are completely without healthcare insurance because
of high costs, and regardless of coverage, most Americans pay large annual deductibles and co-pays. It would almost be comical if we had the same approach to fire and police departments, where we didn’t stop crime, or extinguish burning homes because people didn’t have expensive insurance policies.
Starting in the 1970’s American healthcare became a for profit industry and burgeoned into the largest and most profitable industry in the world that is now over 20% of America’s gross domestic product, with combined revenues in excess of $2 trillion. Pharmaceutical companies make an average of 35% pretax profits after all expenses are paid including research and development. In contrast, the grocery industry makes 1-2% pre-tax profits. Both are necessary for sustaining life but there is quite a disparity in profit margins.
Ironically, while Americans pay top dollar for surgical procedures, drugs and medical devices, other developed nations like all of Europe and Japan, pay half or less for the exact same drugs and devices from the same companies, and there are no out of pocket expenses to the populations of those countries. Here’s the real rub. Just about every one of these nations have better outcomes, better mortality rates and higher longevity than America.
Whether you don’t have coverage, or you are told the treatment that has been performed is not covered, LifeSaver Patient Solutions can help you solve your problems. Whether it is fighting the insurance providers to pay for what is legitimately covered, finding county and state programs that will assist you, negotiating with the hospitals and physicians who provided the services, or pharmaceutical and medical device companies to provide the drugs and equipment at zero or little cost based on financial need, LifeSaver Patient Services can successfully advocate on your behalf.
After Mike had a stroke he developed a severe bone infection and was in need of 6 weeks of IV antibiotic therapy. Medicare told him they would only cover expenses for inpatient care. At 92, Mike would have died in the hospital from secondary infections such as staph, spinal meningitis, or MRCA. The alternative was $27,000 worth of care to be paid out of pocket by the family. LifeSaver Patient Services negotiated with the drug manufacturer and an authorized infusion company to provide the services and the drug at no cost.
When Mary, age 47 had level one breast cancer causing her to have a life-saving double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. When the entire $150,000 claim was denied because the insurance company considered it a pre-existing condition, LifeSaver Patient Solutions worked with the State Insurance commissioner, the State Department Health and Human Services, and the health care providers to lower the out of pocket costs by over 90%.
Never take “yes” for an answer – “Yes we are doing everything we can for you.” Call LifeSaver Patient Solutions to advocate for your medical issues.