Tips For Managing Your Medical Bills When You Have a Chronic Illness | Ep. 242

• Barby defines chronic disease as a condition lasting longer than six months, typically for life. Examples include fibromyalgia, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and arachnoiditis.

Having a chronic illness is like getting 12 pennies a day and you have to learn how to spend them.

• Call ahead and ask for cash prices. Request to see a nurse practitioner instead of a physician when appropriate. Compare prices across different labs and imaging centers for tests like X-rays, MRIs, and bloodwork.

• For prescriptions, search manufacturer websites for patient assistance programs and coupons that can be cheaper than retail pharmacies.

Take my hand and put it across my chest as if I'm grabbing all of the invisible guilt or stress or anxiety. And I will throw it away from my body and say, this is not part of me.

• Prepare a specific offer before calling. Know what you can afford and clearly state it while emphasizing your desire to continue care with that provider.

• Eight out of ten medical bills contain errors. Always wait for your Explanation of Benefits before paying. Review CPT codes, dates, and personal details for accuracy.

Even if your insurance says they won't pay a bill, ask them to help negotiate it down anyway.

• Barby shares a story of a $100,000+ bill that insurance initially refused but later negotiated down and retroactively covered after she advocated.

• Submit charity care applications with recent bank statements. Hospitals can write off discounts as tax deductions, increasing your chances of approval.

• Barter services when cash is limited. Offer skills like social media management, graphic design, or animation in exchange for care. One family member trades animation work for dental services.