Medical bills and related documents can be confusing. Often, after a hospital visit, patients receive multiple bills from different service providers. It’s important to take each bill and break it down to understand every charge.
Three Pillars of Healthcare Pricing
- Hospital Chargemaster: This is a comprehensive list of medical services and their associated charges. It serves as the starting point for healthcare pricing.
- Health Insurance Negotiated Rates: These are discounted rates negotiated between health insurance companies (aka your health plan) and healthcare providers, aimed at reducing costs for policyholders.
- Medicare Rates: Medicare, a federal healthcare program, sets standardized rates for medical procedures. These rates can be used as benchmarks for fair pricing.
Understanding Hospital Bills
A typical hospital bill includes several key components: billed charges, insurance adjustments, insurance payments, and the patient’s balance. Patients should match these components with their insurance company’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for consistency.
The Role of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
The EOB is a document from the insurance company detailing costs and coverage. It is essential to match the EOB with the hospital bill to ensure all charges and payments align correctly.
By understanding these aspects, patients can better navigate their medical bills and advocate for fair billing practices.