Changes in Medicine – Greater Transparency in Medical Billing

While medical costs have been rising for years, the field of consumer advocacy with medical and hospital bills is undergoing tremendous growth. A part of the reason this is happening is because, starting in May of 2013, the government now releases data showing what Medicare is charged for common hospital inpatient and outpatient procedures, and some doctors’ charges. Since hospitals and doctors haven’t been provided this information to consumers before, market forces haven’t been able to create efficiencies in the health care provider market.

By releasing this pricing information from providers across the country to consumers, (which the government knows from paying for services through Medicare), consumers are now better able to compare among different hospitals and different health care providers. This was done with the hope of increasing price competition among hospitals and health care providers, resulting in lower prices for consumers while keeping the government out of the business of setting prices for doctors and hospitals.

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.