Pesky Medical Bills.

Are you dealing with unpaid medical bills from a loved one's estate? Here are some tips to help you get through the medical mumbo jumbo.

First, wait for all of the bills to come in. It is okay and often recommended not to pay these bills right away. You want each medical facility or insurance company to get a chance to submit their bills. This way you can see if there are duplicate charges or other errors among the bills.

Second, scan the bills for some of the most common medical billing errors:

• Charges for services never provided
• Billing for a more expensive item than was actually used or provided
• Charging for individual medical items when it should be included under a procedure already billed
• Duplicate charges for services already rendered and paid

Third, there are consultants that can help you make sense of medical billing. You can Google them or go to HealthGrades and download a medical cost report that contains typical list price and average rate for procedures for approximately 50 common procedures.

Fourth, ask the medical facility for an itemized bill if you do not already have one.  Upon request, one should be provided to you at no charge.

If you are handling decedent's affairs in probate as a personal representative of the estate, please be sure to consult with your probate attorney about the bills and keep excellent records.  You never want to blindside your attorney in probate -- always inform, ask and get permission!