Billing Multiple Times for Same Items or Service
Duplicate billings are incredibly common, are the easiest to spot, and are also the most likely to be inadvertent accidents by a billing clerk entering coding into the computer to produce the bill. Less easy-to-spot duplicates are when patients are charged for duplicate or multiple medicines and laboratory tests. All medications and tests ordered need to be checked against the doctor’s records to restrict the charges to only what was actually done.
Reviews of hospital bills have found charges for 5 transfusions where only 3 were given, or 3 tests when there was only one administered. Another common error is a keyboard error, where 30 room kits are charged instead of 3, or 200 instead of 2 (a simple keyboard slip can become quite costly).
Duplicate or multiple billing issues can also arise in connection with being charged for more than one doctor reading tests or scans. One doctor reads the test or scan, and unless you were specifically seeking to obtain a second opinion or consultation, you should not be charged for any other doctor’s reading of that same scan or x-ray.
Our office is expert at helping find insurance to pay these bills, or at negotiating a reduction in proper cases where there is inadequate insurance.
Please call us today at 916.921.6400, or use our online contact form for a free consultation.