How To Negotiate with a Doctor
Contrary to what most people believe, you can negotiate with a doctor, dentist or hospital. The medical industry is like any other industry, it is a business, and doctor’s and dentists are business people.
People can negotiate with doctors, dentists and hospitals for all things from minor surgeries to major surgeries like orthopedics to dental work and even cosmetic surgery. Negotiations should happen before medical care occurs, but in some cases can happen after. Smart Money Magazine did a research study and found that 66% of patients who negotiated with doctors successfully reduced their doctor bills and made the doctor agree to lower their medical bill, while 70% of patients negotiating with hospitals were successful in reducing their hospital bill.
You should imagine your doctor or hospital as any other product or service you would buy, like negotiating with a car dealer or negotiating with a general contractor who is building an edition on to your house. Don’t hesitate to try and negotiate with your doctor, dentist or hospital, simply put, it works!
Negotiate Correctly
Just like you wouldn’t negotiate with a car dealer or general contractor by screaming at them or being impolite, you should also approach your doctor or dentist in the same professional and business like attitude. You need to convince the doctor or dentist why your bill is to high and why the price should be reduced. It could be because of your financial situation, such as your current income and expenses,
You need a valid reason
You need to be open and honest with your doctor or dentist and let them know why you need a discount or can’t afford the bill. Doctors and Dentists appreciate honesty, and without a good reason your chances of negotiating become harder.
Creating a payment plan
The doctor, dentist or hospital in most cases will take smaller payments over a longer period of time, rather than have you not pay the bill at all. Another way to get a discount is prior to a surgery asking the hospital if there is a discount that is given if you pay upfront, prior to the surgery.
Uncomfortable Negotiating with your doctor, dentist or hospital
Many people are uncomfortable negotiating with your doctor or dentist. They are concerned that the doctor or dentist is going to be offended and this may affect the patient’s long term relationship for the doctor or dentist who treats them and their family. Also, some people think maybe if they negotiate with the doctor or dentist the doctor or dentist may not provide the same level of high quality of care, and the outcome may not be as good because the doctor or dentist believes they are being paid less so they put less effort into it. All of these are misconceptions that are not real. If you approach your doctor or dentist properly in negotiating with them, they will not be offended, and if they do reduce their price, they will still give you the same high level quality of care as if you had paid full price.
Cheaper - Lower Cost Medical Care
One thing to remember when receiving medical treatment is another alternative to negotiating is understanding how to receive lower cost medical treatment. For example, you can receive a surgery in a hospital (in-patient), or you can receive the same surgery in an outpatient ambulatory center. The difference in cost could be as much as 50% of the cost. Most people don’t even consider that the same doctor operating in the hospital, also normally has a private practice and can perform the same surgery on an “outpatient” basis at a local ambulatory center for usually almost half the price. Another way to save money is if your doctor recommends you receive a major diagnostic test, such as an MRI, you should see if you can receive it out of the hospital where the cost will be almost 50% less. Ask your doctor or dentists all the different options that can be achieved to lower your costs.
Paying in Cash
If you pay in cash you have a much better option of receiving a discount from your doctor or dentist. When a patient pays in cash a doctor does not have to pay credit card fees, wait for the credit card company to pay them, or deal with a patient who later refuses to pay.
Shop Around
Another way to find better pricing is to shop around. Go to other doctors or dentists and get another quote/price. Just like buying a car, you may go to another car dealer and try to get a better price from the other car dealer, you should do the same with your doctors and dentists.
Document Everything
Always write down who you talked to, on what date and what was discussed. You may need this documentation at a later time to prove the agreement that was in place and the conversations you had with the doctor, dentist or billing staff in their office or the hospital. Keeping a record of all the conversations may be one of the most important things you need to do.