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Avoid Surprises On Medical Bills By Preparing For Visits

by Whitney FaberNovember 11, 2015December 3, 20192 Comments

Preparing for a physician visit is the best way to begin becoming a responsible healthcare consumer. Like any transaction, it’s vital that you do research before arriving for your appointment. Similar to when buying large furniture or a car, you will need to know how the visit will be paid for in the end.

The first step before any health provider visit is to verify that your physician, urgent care office, lab location, hospital or other facility is listed as in-network on your plan each time you go to an appointment.

Primary insurance networks can be altered at any point, especially during this time when there have been so many changes in the industry. That is why it is a best practice to check this information before every appointment.

To check if your doctor or facility is in-network, go to your primary insurance company’s website and use the “Find a Doctor” or “Find a Provider” tool. This tool’s location on the website will vary depending on the primary insurance company.

If you have any problems finding this tool, contact your primary insurance carrier. Contact information will be listed on your primary insurance ID card.

There are also additional steps for preparation if you are visiting a facility or hospital for any procedure. You will need to check with your primary insurance carrier before the procedure to verify your eligibility and to find out if you will need any kind of prior authorization.

Some hospitals and physician offices will check this information before the visit, but that is becoming increasingly rare. It’s best to take full responsibility for this task, as it can directly affect your insurance coverage and therefore your final bill.

Please contact ClaimLinx by email at help@claimlinx.com phone at 800-858-1772 if you have additional questions on how to prepare for your office visit .

Login Now to The ClaimLinx Private Member Portal

by Whitney FaberAugust 1, 2015November 15, 2019Leave a comment

Have you logged in yet to the ClaimLinx private member portal? It’s the best way to receive up-to-date information on your claims and benefits and to communicate with the ClaimLinx staff.

The member portal is a secure web-based system that allows real-time access to our claims processing system. Through the portal, all members can:

Submit medical claims for processing
Verify or update dependent information
Download and submit commonly-used forms
Check medical claim status
Verify or change address information

You can always access the member portal by clicking the green “Member Login” button at the top of the ClaimLinx website. There are complete written instructions and a step-by-step video for how to login the first time on the website under the “Members” tab.

We encourage all of our members to access the portal now to verify all of their address and contact information is correct. It is important for our claims processing staff to be able to contact members in order to ensure timely claims processing.

Please email help@claimlinx.com with any questions about the member portal.

Simple But Important Ways to Save on Medical Care

by Whitney FaberJune 9, 2015November 15, 2019Leave a comment

ClaimLinx is always looking for ways to help people to save money on healthcare. But sometimes we need the help of our clients and members to make this happen.

When approaching a medical visit, it’s important you’re still being a smart consumer to get the best value for your dollar. There are many small steps everyone can take to be sure money is not wasted on medical care.

Here are five things you can do to improve savings now:

Remember to check your network

When making an appointment, always check that the doctor or specialist is still in your insurance plan’s network. Especially in this transitional time in the industry, networks can continuously change, and out of network visits often cost more.

Get checkups, flu shots and other preventive care

Consistent exams help physicians detect health problems early, and, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, many preventative care services are now covered 100 percent. It’s still important to verify coverage prior to obtaining services, though.

Know emergency room alternatives

If you’re not experiencing a life-threatening medical issue, try your doctor’s office or an urgent care center. Both can treat for a cut, sprain, or minor fever. In most cases, they cost less than an ER and can see patients faster, too!

Ask about generic medicine

Generic versions of medicine might look different, but the active ingredients are the same as the brand-name medicine. Choosing generic can save hundreds of dollars per year, or more. Ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a generic version of your medicine.

Review all medical bills carefully

Up to 50 percent of doctor and hospital bills may contain mistakes, according to Patient Care, a consumer-advocacy group. Incorrect billing codes, mistakes in account numbers, claims misfiled or incorrect services listed are all common errors that can add hundreds of dollars to a medical bill.

6 Steps To Make The Most Of Your Doctor Visit

by Whitney FaberApril 3, 2015November 15, 2019Leave a comment

For many people, visiting the doctor is a frustrating experience.

You schedule an appointment, travel to the office, usually wait in the lobby, then spend more time waiting for the doctor. And at the end of it all, you walk away feeling like you may have missed something.

Next time, follow these six steps to do your part to get the most out of your visit to the doctor.

1. Arrive prepared

Write a list of the concerns you have to tell your doctor. For each concern, come up with dates when symptoms started, when they worsened or improved and what, if anything, has or has not helped.

2. Be thorough when scheduling

When calling to set up the appointment, mention everything you want to discuss with the doctor. Also, be sure to ask if you are due for any vaccinations, screenings or lab tests before your visit. This will help the doctor’s office schedule accordingly.

3. Invite a buddy

It can often be difficult to remember all of the doctor’s advice. Some patients benefit from bringing an adult family member or friend with them for the visit. After all, two heads are better than one.

4. Ask questions

If you need more explanation, don’t be afraid to ask. It’s also a good idea to write down any important notes or instructions yourself or have your doctor write them for you. Or if you really want to be thorough, you can record the visit. Just make sure your device works!

5. Be honest

It’s important for your physician to know any and all factors that have an affect on your health, including current medications you’re taking, sexual history, smoking habits, or even financial worries. These can all be important factors in helping your doctor understand your health.

6. Follow up right away, if needed

Before you leave, ask your doctor when you should return or if you need to see another physician or specialist. Then be sure to schedule any follow-up visits as soon as you can.