Health Care Reform:

Health Care Reform and Settling Grievances: FAQ

Q: If I have a grievance and I'm appealing my insurance company's decision, what do I do in the meantime?

A: Ask your insurance company to continue paying for your treatment until a determination on your appeal has been made.

If your request is refused, it’s a good idea to speak with the doctor or hospital treating you. Ask to arrange a payment plan or if collections can be put on hold until your appeals process is complete.

Q: If I don't pay a contested medical bill, will it ding my credit?

A: Yes. It’s important that you don’t ignore medical bills. Instead, work with your health care provider to arrange a payment plan so your bills are not sent to a collection agency, which providers can be quick do. That can damage your credit rating.

If your bill has already been sent to collections, speak with the collections agency and ask to pay the bill right away. But don’t send a penny until you get the agency to agree to remove the bill from your credit report.