GREENSBORO, N.C. — When you're at the doctor for a check-up, you're focused on making sure you get a clean bill of health.
But you should also make sure the tests you're getting are covered by your insurance. Consumer Reports has some advice.
Preventive care is supposed to be free under the affordable care act. However, insurers initially deny 1 in 10 preventive care screenings and tests. 12% of patients who got unexpected bills said those services should've been free.
Consider talking to your insurer ahead of time to know exactly what it covers. Some give specific insurance codes that they accept. Ask your doctor about additional tests they might be considering. This can avoid confusion later on.
And brush up on the law, healthcare.gov has a list of what's considered preventive care. You might also want to contact the state department of insurance for state-specific laws.
If all else fails, gather all your paperwork and appeal your insurer's decision. If that doesn't work, you can file a complaint with the state insurance regulator. Consumer Reports suggests against paying the bill while you're fighting it. It's hard to get that money back.