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Trips to the doctor’s office are almost never pleasant, the waiting room is an interesting experience to say the least and your doctor is bound to keep you waiting for over an hour. There’s only one thing that can really make a doctor visit more difficult – dealing with health insurance. While most doctors’ offices will contact your insurance company when you come in and charge them for the bill, some will ask that you submit your own health insurance claim. Many people have had issues with the infamous claims process, but with the right information, it can be fairly hassle-free. Although each health insurance provider has their own procedure for submitting a claim, there are some basic steps you can follow to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here’s what you need to know in order to successfully file a health insurance claim.
How to File a Health Insurance Claim
- Before you even step foot in a doctor’s office, you should obtain a copy of your insurance provider’s claim form. These days, many insurance companies let customers print their forms online. The form will ask for information about your policy and the nature of your doctor’s visit. Fill out as much of it as you can now and get the rest of the information while you’re at the doctor’s office.
- When you visit your doctor, make sure you ask them for an itemized bill or receipt. An itemized bill contains a list of all the services your doctor provided and how much they all cost. Most insurance providers will ask that you include this with your claim so that they don’t overpay or underpay for anything.
- One you’ve got your insurance claim all filled out and you’ve obtained an itemized receipt, make several copies of each. This way you have a copy for your records and a copy in case you need to re-file the claim, don’t underestimate your insurance company’s ability to make you jump through hoops.
- It’s easy to make a little mistake on your insurance claim, but even the smallest mistake can cause problems and delay your claim. Review all of the claim forms for accuracy then contact your insurance company to let them know you’re about to submit it. You can ask them to go over the claims process with you and find out the approximate date your claim will be paid. If the claim isn’t paid out around the estimated date, contact your insurance provider to make sure there aren’t any problems.
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