Drowning in medical bill & insurance paperwork!

[kadi]

Anyone got a way to manage the medical paperwork I'm drowning in?
:help:

It seems that hardly a day passes when I'm not getting a receipt, a bill, a statement, or paying a bill, filing a claim etc.

So much paperwork! :loco:
If I go to the doctor, I have to give them a $20 check on the spot.
Then I get a receipt.
Then I get a statement from the doctor's office for additional expenses.
Then I get a statement from the insurance company explaining how much the doctor should have billed me. (It's always real special when those 2 don't match-that leads to more paper).
Then I have to write another check.
Then I file a claim with my Section 125 plan for reimbursement.
Then I finally get a check back
With another form explaining why they did/didn't reimburse me.

Okay, no wonder I'm piled up to my nose in paper - that's 7 different papers for ONE office visit, and that's if I didn't need anything from the pharmacy! And if nobody screwed up the billing. (2 big IFs)

This wouldn't be such a big deal, except that I want to keep it organized so that if my medical expenses exceed the required 7.5% of my income, I can write them off on taxes. And of course, unless I've have a horrific start to the year, I don't know that til Dec.. (BUT if I've already reimbursed myself out of the pre-tax Section 125 plan, I can't write off those expenses - so I have to know what I've claimed there & not.)

AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
(Oh, maybe this should have been in the venting section). :headbang:

ANY IDEAS, PLEASE?

[vm]

I got a one of those big huge notebooks and I punch holes in all my bills and receipts and order them that way. Initially I have a folder I put stuff in when I get it. Then from time to time I order everything by date and by appt. and stick it in the notebook.

So, if I have an appt on 3/2/05 I put in the receipt from the doctor, any subsequent bills I receive by mail and then the insurance form saying what they paid.

Next appt. I do the same. They are all in order by dates of service and I can easily reference them if needed.

It has been sooooo nice to have everything in order so I can check to see that I have paid, to see if the insurance has paid or if I overpaid.

[HGC]

I have a spreadsheet on my compter with the date of my Dr.'s visit, the amount of the visit, what portion is not covered, an explanation (such as deductible) and my co-insurance. Most of my Dr.'s are out-of-network so I have to lay out the $ before I am reimbursed by my insurance company. When I am reimbursed I just stamp the bill with the date I was reimbursed. Keeping organized is important since most insurance companies have a maximum out of pocket expense (for out-of-network plans) so once you reach this amount you are reimbursed 100%. I always reach my maximum out of pocket expense so I find this method of recordkeeping very helpful.

[kadi]

I think what I'll try to make things easier is to put everything in a folder & every 2 months organize in a binder with a spreadsheet type thing in the front to keep a running tally... Thanks for the ideas!!

[jaime15]

Kadi,
You are soooo not alone! It does get tiresome when we try to keep paperwork together......I usually pile mine up on the computer desk for a month or so and then I'll file. I've just about given up on insurance paying anything! :rolleyes:
Take care!