It is no secret that the cost of medical care is drastically higher than almost anyone in Washington can afford on their own. Health insurance is supposed to help offset those costs, and many people shell out a significant amount of money each month for their coverage. This is one of the reasons that receiving an unexpected bill can be such a shock. It is even worse when that bill is an insurance mistake.
This was the situation that a hospital nurse found himself facing in 2019. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Although the surgery he had was initially successful at getting rid of the cancer, it ultimately came back. In July 2019 he spoke with his urologist about treatment options but also chose to get a second opinion at a cancer treatment center. He was billed soon after and paid everything.
Under the impression that he had settled all of the bills, he was surprised to receive two more bills in December of that same year. Both the bills stated that he owed money for facility fees, which totaled $500. He disputed the bills with both his insurance company and the cancer center, but neither admitted any mistake. Feeling as if he had no other options, the nurse and cancer patient ultimately paid the bills. His insurance company only admitted that there had been a mistake when a local news station asked them about the situation.
Policyholders have the right to dispute claims, but there is no guarantee that they will get anywhere doing so. After all, the insurance companies still hold most of the power in these situations. But this does not mean that someone should just give up and shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an insurance mistake. Familiarizing one’s self with Washington insurance law and seeking help when necessary can be smart steps toward correcting these types of costly mistakes.