Negotiating with MSHA... (costs, bill, medical)

[rccrain]

Has anyone have any experience negotiating a hospital bill with MSHA facilities?

[blindsolitude]

What exactly are you trying to do? A friend of mine works in admitting and I could ask him about options or something (whatever you are needing to do).

[rccrain]

What I want them to do is charge us something more in line with national/regional costs for the procedure. I'd also like to know who I could contact directly.

I called their billing department and asked to negotiate a reasonable settlement in full of our bill. They acted like this was unheard of although I know from national publications and medical advocates that it is entirely normal. I could actually pay an advocate to negotiate for me, but what's the point in that.

[GingerSue]

I don't know what happens after a bill, but they contacted me before a very expensive scheduled test when discovering I was uninsured and offered a special rate to me if I paid in advance. The test would have cost 2 or 3k. They would charge me $400 if I could pay in full before the test. They told me that they decided it was easier to do it this way than to try to collect later, since the economy was so bad. So they do have the ability to negotiate, but if your procedure has already been done then they may not apply the same consideration. However, if it goes to collections they will negotiate with you. That's not the most desirable option, I'm sure.

Good luck