Do you speak 'HospitalBillingese?

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. You've arrived at the hospital for testing, and you're asked to sign an 'assignment of benefits'. What on earth does that mean? you authorize your insurance to send payment to the hospital you're permitting the hospital to bill your insurance you're verifying that you have valid insurance none of these

2. You're told that 'coordination of benefits' will apply to your bill. Just what does that mean? you will owe a balance after the insurance pays your insurance won't pay there aren't enough benefits to cover the service rendered more than one insurance carrier will provide benefits

3. They told me at the hospital that the 'birthday rule' will apply to my insurance. Do I buy hats and horns? What is the birthday rule? Yep, buy the hats and horns! how the insurance carriers will determine who pays first to determine by the patient's age if coverage is available none of these

4. I'm covered by an HMO, and they told me that I have to bring a referral from my 'PCP.' What's that? all of these your doctor wants you to give up drugs; PCP is dangerous and illegal permission from your doctor to render the specified care or service your doctor wants to refer you elsewhere for care

5. My bill had a large amount on it listed as a 'Contractual Adjustment.' What's that? the difference between your covered charges and the amount your insurance is contractually obligated to pay the mob has a contract out on you an adjustment reflecting a correction for incorrectly charged services all of these

6. The hospital asked for the effective date of my husband's and my insurance coverage. Why do they care? to determine which insurance will be primary to see if coverage has been interrupted in the past to ensure coverage is available just to be nosy

7. The hospital has notified me that my insurance won't pay because of a 'pre-existing condition.' Say what? the treatment requested is not covered by your plan none of these you've used all available benefits for this condition they won't pay because you had this injury or illness prior to the effective date of your coverage,

8. I saw something called a 'per diem payment' on my bill. I don't speak Latin. What is it? a daily charge, like television, has been applied to your bill a flat rate per day paid by your insurance Per Diem was the Danish doctor who checked you out on admission none of the above

9. I got another bill, and there's something called a 'DRG' printed on it. Why don't they speak English, and what does 'DRG' mean? Diagnosis Related Group Diagnosis Return-Gerontology Daily Routine Grams none of these

10. When I go into the hospital, should I expect my insurance to pay everything? What will I owe? you will owe any 'personal items' as well as any copayments or deductibles you will owe a copayment your insurance should pay everything you will owe a deductible