This was super helpful (as are all your articles, but this one really hit home), thank you for writing it!
I wanted to share a couple of other tips that learned over the years as I've been navigating cancer, and moving to marketplace insurance, etc.
1. Record your appointment if possible. Ask first, but in general it's not a problem, and it can help immensely when you are trying to remember something discussed days/weeks later.
2. When tests are ordered request copies. Doctors are human, everyone makes mistakes, and they are taking care of hundreds of people. No one will go through your results with a fine tooth comb like you will. I caught a lump in my breast that my oncologist missed, so I was glad that I knew and could aggressively follow up until I got answers.
3. Track your medical payments. I am not great with budgets or finances, but I do keep a spreadsheet that is nothing but medical payments. Any payment I make to a doctors office, an imaging center, anything I log there. Then when the bills come in I can check to make sure I haven't already paid. I also always check the bills to make sure insurance has been applied, and if not, let it sit for another month. Often an updated bill will come, and if you already paid the first it is unlikely any refund will come automatically and then you might have to spend a lot of time/energy trying to get that money back.
Hi, KE -- We are so happy you found this helpful. Thank you so much for your amazing additional suggestions. I'm sure a lot of people will find them valuable.
We'd also like to point out that some folks with bigger medical expenses (like cancer) can qualify for tax write-offs.
This was super helpful (as are all your articles, but this one really hit home), thank you for writing it!
I wanted to share a couple of other tips that learned over the years as I've been navigating cancer, and moving to marketplace insurance, etc.
1. Record your appointment if possible. Ask first, but in general it's not a problem, and it can help immensely when you are trying to remember something discussed days/weeks later.
2. When tests are ordered request copies. Doctors are human, everyone makes mistakes, and they are taking care of hundreds of people. No one will go through your results with a fine tooth comb like you will. I caught a lump in my breast that my oncologist missed, so I was glad that I knew and could aggressively follow up until I got answers.
3. Track your medical payments. I am not great with budgets or finances, but I do keep a spreadsheet that is nothing but medical payments. Any payment I make to a doctors office, an imaging center, anything I log there. Then when the bills come in I can check to make sure I haven't already paid. I also always check the bills to make sure insurance has been applied, and if not, let it sit for another month. Often an updated bill will come, and if you already paid the first it is unlikely any refund will come automatically and then you might have to spend a lot of time/energy trying to get that money back.
Hi, KE -- We are so happy you found this helpful. Thank you so much for your amazing additional suggestions. I'm sure a lot of people will find them valuable.
We'd also like to point out that some folks with bigger medical expenses (like cancer) can qualify for tax write-offs.