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It sounds like there's a niche for a non-insurance insurer. It wouldn't actually pay for procedures, but in return for a low monthly membership fee, it would ne
by johan_larson 10y ago
It sounds like there's a niche for a non-insurance insurer. It wouldn't actually pay for procedures, but in return for a low monthly membership fee, it would negotiate on behalf of the members for their bills, just like an insurance company does.
- creaghpatr 10y agoPatient billing advocates are a real service now. For let's say $500 they go to war with the billing dept of a hospital; the hospital will almost always knock 50% of the price off because they don't want to fight the battle. So many patients default on their bills it's a financial crisis for most hospitals outside of the large major chains. That billing department is going to take what they can get, even if it's only 20% of the amount the patient owes. Pretty nuts.
- drewg123 10y agoBut apparently that strategy doesn't always work. The lady in the article offered the hospital what her experts said was a reasonable price, including a profit margin & they turned down the offer.
- creaghpatr 10y agoI think the hospitals jack up their list prices with these adjustments presumed. Of course, they don't tell the patient to negotiate a discount that's the last thing they want to deal with. And you're right, it doesn't always work it depends on the context and financial health of the provider.
- awongh 10y agowhoa it already exists: https://disputebills.com/ https://disputebills.com/
- tboyd47 10y agoThank you for sharing this.