Have you noticed invoices from (some) local providers have substituted the word “Guarantor” for “Account” number?

Subtle!

Tip Reader ‘Joe’ set aside an April 4^th invoice from Health System X - which showed a balance due of $9,457.90 - remembering not  to pay providers without an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer, so you can cross reference third party discounts and payments.

The May 4^th statement from the same System – for the same dates of service – showed a balance of $5,098.33. That statement did show insurance payments.

On May 30^th, Joe called to make a payment by phone. His balance had decreased again to $4,996.75. Seems insurance had kicked in a few more bucks.

During this same time-frame, Joe received a 4/3 statement from a radiologist for $58.63 net of an insurance payment. Another statement dated 5/8 showed another insurance payment and a new balance of just $16.54.

Apparently procrastination does (almost literally) pay!

When telling me this story, Joe had an amusing (?) postscript.

“When I called the billing department, a live person picked up right away. That’s not exactly how it goes when I call to make an appointment!”

Great Tip, Joe. Thanks.